O.G. Original Gangster (studio album) by Ice-T

I like the breakbeats, and the sampled instrumental parts are great - horns, voices and so on. Some cool guitar riffs too, though I can't tell how much of this is original vs sampled. Either way, the music is really interesting on most of the tracks. Ice-T's rapping is convincing too (acting chops) and he paints a vivid picture with his storytelling. And he has substantial and thought provoking things to say about society, politics, war, and his own life. Underappreciated classic gangsta rap album.

Also, no one said they were all upstanding citizens, but America's justice system is obviously very racist against black people. It's the legacy of a history that saw blacks being rounded up on trumped up charges so they could be forced to work for free or worked to death, not so long ago. And more recently saw blacks denied the right to vote in a variety of creative ways, under threat of violence; and speaking of getting creative, guess what, felons can't vote. It's good that this album made some people think about that a bit.

From Graeme2 07/08/2016 21:58

Listen properly to what is being said and you may come to the conclusion that this is one of most intelligent rappers you've heard. Yes he enjoys to subvert and play but he does try and put stories over with a moral.

From junodog4 02/05/2015 03:01

Nice comment, Bork. I agree 100%.

From Bork 07/28/2012 01:59

Some brilliant moments, but they are too few and too far between with utter junk threw in between. I also have a bit of a problem with the "gangbangers, rapists, drugdealers and other upstanding citizens of society still being in prison is bullshit" attitude. But that's probably just me being racist.

brilliant album!