Ice-T Album: “O.G. Original Gangster”
 Description :
Additional producers: Bilal Bashir, Afrika Islam, Ice-T, DJ Aladdin.
<p>Engineers: Vachik, Dennis Parker, Batte.
<p>Recorded at Syndicate Studios West, Widetracks, Dodge City and Fox Run Studios, Los Angeles, California.
<p>Often hailed as Ice-T's most ambitious and fully realized album, O.G. ORIGINAL GANGSTER is more sophisticated than the hustler-centered RHYME PAYS, yet less weighted by ideology than THE ICEBERG/FREEDOM OF SPEECH?JUST WATCH WHAT YOU SAY. The record is also more musically adventurous than the spare ICEBERG; help from numerous producers gives 1991's O.G. a dense, contemporary feel, with a sound that recalls the Bomb Squad's production for Public Enemy. From laid-back funk (the title track) to bone-crushing beats ("Midnight"), O.G. runs the gamut in mood and style.
<p>Ice-T synthesizes his different incarnations into one persona here. Remaining true to his South Central, Los Angeles roots, Ice raps about the hardships of ghetto life, but is not beyond detailing his high-rolling, wealthy lifestyle. At his best, Ice-T melds these together in a self-reflexive way, as on "New Jack Hustler" (the theme song to the film NEW JACK CITY, which features Ice-T in a key role), one of O.G.'s standout tracks. There are also meditations on race ("Straight Up Nigga") and philosophically minded tunes ("Mind Over Matter"). Most notably, the song "Body Count" introduced Ice's metal band of the same name, proving beyond a doubt that O.G. is no average hip-hop album.
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Track Listing :
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Album Information :
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O.G. Original Gangster |
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UPC:075992649223
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Format:CD
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Type:Performer
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Genre:R&B - Gangsta/Hardcore
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Artist:Ice-T
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Label:Sire Records (USA)
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Distributed:WEA (distr)
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Release Date:1991/05/14
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Original Release Year:1991
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Discs:1
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Recording:Analog
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Mixing:Analog
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Mastering:Digital
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Length:72:48
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Mono / Stereo:Stereo
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Studio / Live:Studio
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8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
- One of the Best Rap Albums Ever
For me Ice-T is one of the best rappers ever and I've spent long hours listening to his hardcore gangster rap. Kind of odd for a middle-aged white guy but what can I say? His in your face, pro-freedom of speech attitude is one that I hold myself. He is one of the founding fathers of gangster rap and one of it's most innovative lyricists. I've seen Ice-T do his rap act only once but have seen him with his band Body Count four times and he puts on a tremendous show.
O.G. the Original Gangster is a phenomenal album and probably one of the best rap albums ever, period. It is absolutely loaded with tremendous songs, clever lyrics, and clever beats. Even if you're not an Ice-T fan, if you like rap music this is certainly a must have. This is his best album.
O.G. the Original Gangster gets a whopping and phenomenal 8, yes 8 stars. Go buy it now if you don't have it.
Mind Over Matter *
New Jack Hustler ** This song was the theme song to the movie New Jack City
Straight Up Nigga *
O.G. the Original Gangster **
Escape from the Killing Fields *
Pulse of the Rhyme *
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Ratings: CDs are rated simply by how many good songs are on the album. Great songs get two stars, and good songs get one star. Songs that get no stars are those that I might like but not enough to give it a star or ones I find boring or actively dislike. CDs are not penalized for songs that I don't like because they are easy enough to skip over. There is no maximum number of stars a CD can get, but of course the more stars it gets, the better the CD.
As with all reviews, these are my subjective opinions on the album.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
- Great Flows and Clever Rhymes
When i first heard of Ice T it was because of his bad rep with the Cop Killer controversy. I assumed he was just a mindless gangster until i heard this album. He has many different contradictory styles on this album, with some songs warning of the consequences of a fast lifestyle, and others glorifying it. Whatever stance he takes, he makes it sound mad clever and presents his case well. The beats by DJ Aladin, Evil E and Africa Islam go perfectly with Ice T's style whether its a laid back song or a fast headbanger.
Best Song on the album= Mind Over Matter
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
- Better than his Greatest Hits!
Don't get me wrong. I like "Power", his earlier, and later stuff, but this is THE "Ice-T" disc to have. Basically, it's 24 tracks of the dopest, flyest, phatest, O.G. hustlin' rap ever laid down. Plus a few great interludes, the classic "New Jack Hustler", and a track from his band "Body Count". So many good tracks that are fresh, and old-school at the same time. The only way this could be any better is if it had "Colors". That's on the "hits" cd. Peace. Customer review - April 21, 2002
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
- Best album eva
This is Ice-T's best album to date and probably one of the best albums ever made. Ice is smart, funny and his flow and lyrics are always on-point. That makes him my favourite rapper of all time. This album made him the legend he is today. The best song on here is the last song, The Tower, with it's dark and eerie soundscape. But it is packed with other tight songs, like New Jack Hustler, OG Original Gangster, Straight Up Nigga, Pulse Of The Rhyme, Ziplock and Bitches 2. Anyone who has anything bad to say about this album don't know what they're talking about. Get this album and see the making of a legend! Customer review - March 14, 2002
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
- The definition of a classic
This album blew me away from start to finish. Ice-T is the realest rapper in the game, no questions asked. O.G is without a doubt the best rap album ever made. it is full of phat beats and lyrics and listening to it makes you want to get up and raise tha roof. He also introduces his rap metal group Body Count on the track of the same name and he raises some very good points preceeding the song. In conclusion, the whole album is packed with hits andanybody who does not have this cannot call himself a rap fan. Peace Ice, carry on keepin it real!!! |
