O.G. Original Gangster

Upon initial contact with Ice-T's music, I had envisioned him to be an ill-mannered and psychologically unstable man with an extremely uneducated and barbaric frame of mind, whose raps displayed nothing but ridiculous jargon, shocking sexual audacity and repulsive images of the ghetto. However, after further analysis of his music I can deduce that he is the epitome of antidisestablishmentarianism who embodies the entire spectrum of the urban experience and struggle. But to make things more plain and simple to the layman, I find Ice-T to be the dopest, flyist, O.G. pimp hustler gangster player hardcore motherfucker living today. To be honest I'm totally and irrevocably on his dick

Below is a list of the musical Ices in order of preference: 1. Ice Cube 2. Ice T 3. Vanilla Ice

Bangers and the guy is really funny as well. I'm not a big fan of skits in albums, but "First Impression" made me exhale through my nose. Very long. "Body Count" is a straight up rock song, "The Tower" samples the Halloween theme song?! This album just goes everywhere at once.. in a good way. I always thought that ICE-T was garbage, probably because Vanilla Ice soiled every ice-based rapper for me by association. The best rap album I've had so far - 5/5.

Stop recommending me rap albums. I don't like rap albums

This album is hilarious -- the woman doing the critical analysis is great. I also like the music; I feel like my tastes in rap were formed in this era, so this stuff just sounds right to me. Body Count rules

I was not excited to see O.G. Original Gangster come up in my recommendations. I have no interest in listening to someone else's anger, bragging, and chest-thumping. I'm sure "being tough" has probably worked out well for Ice T, but I don't need to hear about it. His acting carerr has given him a place to keep the tough-guy thing going. Ice T's rhymes are moderate, but even when he gets an interesting rhythm going the lyrics range between bleh and solidly landing in exactly what I don't want to listen to. The video for "New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme)" is a concise example of why I don't like Ice-T: trying to impress by talking about money and cars, the surrounding people trying to create an atmosphere to impress, and a gold chain with gold gun on his neck. Both Ice T and I can admit that this record was not written for me. I was happy when this record was over.

Two ICE T in a week. That's enough ICE T to make kombucha taste good.

1991 was a watershed moment in music. Grunge exploded, hip-hop broke into the mainstream, and genres from jazz to electronic evolved in unprecedented ways. This was also a pivotal year for hip-hop: The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest pushed jazz-rap forward, while De La Soul, Public Enemy, and the underground sounds of Cypress Hill infused the genre with creative, politically charged, and darker Latin influences. In this landscape, Ice-T’s O.G. Original Gangster serves as a fascinating bridge between late ‘80s and early ‘90s rap, standing as a high point for gangsta rap. The album solidifies Ice-T’s reputation as a candid storyteller of street life, violence, systemic issues, and police brutality. His portrayal is raw and rooted in survival, often reflecting gritty reality rather than glorification. Musically, the album dives into funk, rock, and jazz influences, all laid over hardcore beats with relentless yet catchy intensity. Ice-T’s rapping is gritty and conversational, defined by vivid, almost journalistic storytelling rather than lyrical complexity. His style is foundational—direct, no-frills, and packed with authenticity. His delivery commands attention, offering raw, straightforward narratives without metaphor or introspection. Compared to the intricate flows of artists like Nas, the introspective style of Tupac or the conversational style of Jay-Z, Ice-T’s approach remains uncompromisingly blunt. Every line hits with purpose, and his voice carries a power that's hard to ignore. Considering how many times Ice-T curses the police on this album, I can't help but chuckle that he would later go on to play a cop on Law & Order. Talk about becoming that which you hate! Did/Do I own this release? No. Does this release belong on the list? It exemplifies gangsta rap well, though other albums from the same period may represent the genre more fully. Would this release make my personal list? I find myself more drawn to the intricate rhyme schemes and flow changes of later rap. Will I be listening to it again? It was an enjoyable listen and made me feel vaguely menacing while driving, so sure.

One of the greatest old-school rappers in my opinion. Also, the song Body Count was the start of the band with the same name, which is fucking great, therefore this record is great just because of that alone.

Good music

This is why I have an aversion to hop hop and rap music

"We all we got" if you know that reference you know what I'm about to say. I bought this album back in the day, after watching New Jack City. Haven't listened to it in years (or seen the film, for that matter) but it was amazing back then and still stands up now.

Wow, was surprised that this showed up in the list and all I can think about is the blending of the OG Ice-T and his band Body Count had a lot to do with its placement here. Sure, there's a long history of rap artists collaborating with mainstream music to broaden their appeal -- Run DMC and Aerosmith (Walk This Way), Public Enemy and Anthrax (Bring Tha Noise, though I'm not sure Anthrax was ever considered mainstream), or The Fat Boys collaborating with The Beach Boys (Wipeout) all fall into this category. The difference here is that Ice-T was fronting Body Count. Body Count, for a minute, even eclipsed Ice-T's career as a rapper especially when the track Cop Killer was removed from future pressings of the self-titled release. Beyond that, It doesn't hurt that the hottest track on this album was the theme song from the much-hyped Mario Van Peebles film New Jack City. New Jack Hustler is the go-to track on the album and IMHO overshadows the real star of the album, Fly By. Nat the Cat drops some tongue-twisted lines in rapid succession that should not go unnoticed. Also worth mentioning is that somehow, the fact that Ice-T is / was a rapper has eluded contemporary culture as he's now known more for his SVU work (and also this great bit by John Mulaney) than as a rapper and musician ... https://youtu.be/F1sd4CRcaE0?t=75

Love this. The flow's great, T is clearly top of his game. And he isn't a giant kangaroo yet.

Pretty painful to sit through - there's not too much going on musically so I'm forced to listen to the lyrics, and then I just despair for society.

Thought I might enjoy this at the start, but it got more and more boring. Album length way too long, far too many tracks. Nothing particularly interesting, apart from the random Body Count song, which isn't much better and seems completely out of place. Best part was the Black Sabbath sample, and the amusing intro thing for track 2.

5/5. I have a general guess of what I was expecting going into the album released in the 90's but the lyrics are surprisingly kind of progressive and intelligent, re-evaluating the word b**** and showing acceptance to gay and lesbian people. I'm glad we still got some antidisestablishmentarianism in the songs. Each track has a great beat and the skits are funny, which is what these skits are for. The samples are unique and interesting. There's even just a straight rock song on here. This is what it means to not care about what other people think while still supporting those that are suffering equally. This was an excellent album and don't even get me started on his flow, so clean and quick while taking his time when he needs to. Best Song: Straight Up N****, Mind Over Matter, Escape From The Killing Fields, B****** 2

As is the case with most Ice T I've listened to, the passion is clear and visceral but majority of the production choices have aged in a way that takes a lot of sting out of how hard it hits. While Public Enemy's instrumentation still sounds over the top and ferocious and almost off-putting, California hip hop was largely based around loud and heavy-hitting kick and snare beats, which cause Ice T's music, despite having a similar ethos, to not have the same level of bite that other acts had. That being said, this then falls into the category of "try and experience what it would've felt like at the time", and Ice's passion and pure anger pulls through so hard that this incredibly easy to do. To contemporary hip hop of the day, this was heavy metal, nothing exemplifying this more than the song Body Count, which he later named his metal band after. So while the beats fall short in a modern context, the aggression and love radiate out from this album like a glow and you end your experience with that passion planted inside you. And I think in this regard I can't view this album as anything but a complete success.

A great album. The songs are memorable and Ice T nails it. I really enjoyed it. This is a rap album so it does not have Ice T's must controversial song Cop Killer because that is by his heavy metal group. I am not sure if there will be more Ice T on the list. I hope so.

Ah this is one of my favourite rap albums ever, maybe my actual fav. imo it's Ice's best outside the BC stuff. 5/5.

Well-machined noise raised up by Ice T’s magisterial presence. No tracks stood out, but he’s sharp company, incisive about friends, enemies, fantasies and institutions.

Okay, so either Ice-T has no clue what antidisestablishmentarianism means, or he's a bigger supporter of the political status of the Church of England than I would have guessed. Either way, points deducted. As for the album: sure, an OG, with decent production, but a bang average to weak lyricist, solid but unexceptional rapping, shit (as always) skits. Escape from the Killing Fields feels a cut above, but the album as a whole is inessential.

“I’m the original gangsta” Ok..?

Eh

Not for me

We get it - you're hard. You're a bad boi. You're angry. You don't like the cops But jesus this was too much. Repetitive and too long Beats were decent, and I really liked the guitar on Body Count. The rest of it was bad 2 ⭐️

Musically not very interesting and way too long.

Je propose que l'on oublie collectivement l'existence du gangsta rap, qui m'aime me suive

Definitely not my cup of tea. I can appreciate the sound but can’t relate to the words.

This one is not for me. Just a really dated style of rap that I do not wish to listen to

“Better as manifesto than as music.”

Not good. Horribly outdated. Rhyme scheme and instrumentals and beats are too old to be enjoyable. Very repetitive and uninspiring.

OG Original Gangster I’m totally and completely on his dick This is fucking long, but I actually really liked it, much more than I was expecting. The obvious comparison is Ice Cube, both for solid state of water monikers and for LA gangsta rap reasons, but despite similar themes violence, sex and posturing Ice T presents a (slightly) more nuanced and complex picture, adding a degree of humour and self awareness as well as intelligent lyrics and incisiveness around class, institutions and the complications and contradictions of the world he’s in. And for the time there are some (relatively) progressive comments on sexuality and misogyny. Musically it kind of reflects the sprawling and scattergun themes of the album, never quite settling down into a coherent feel, which works both for and against it. You get a sense of claustrophobia and uncertainty and unease, but it never quite nails a sound, which I presume also reflects the time it was made, somewhere between the East Coast and Public Enemy kitchen sink sound and just before The Chronic and the full West Coast G-Funk sound. And of course there’s the ‘hardcore’ Body Count stuff, which sounds relatively anodyne 30+ years later. I’d also never really realised what a skilled MC he is, I’d always thought he traded on the notoriety and the controversy around Cop Killer, and wasn’t a particularly strong rapper, but he has a great California drawl combined with a nice, controlled intensity. There’s obviously a lot here, but there are some great tracks, Mic Contact has an infectious hook and some Flavor Flav samples, Mind over Matter’s slower tempo rapping is interesting, New Jack Hustler’s piano and organ samples add a nice bit of jazziness, as there is on Bitches 2, a great bit of storytelling (and a nice acknowledgement that he’s not talking about women). Fly By sounds quite like Eric B or EPMD, a great bass sample. Midnight is good, another departure from some of the standard samples into something a bit more like a low budget horror film (with the standard When the Levee Breaks sample). I like the shout outs on MVPs, and I love the way he says ‘players’. The Tower has some Eminem-like storytelling to it, I like the brooding atmosphere. I think it just tips into a 4, the length is against it, but it really is a very good early 90s gangster rap album, with some great songs and rapping, all with a bit more depth, smartness and tone to it than I expected. 🧊🫖🧊🫖 Playlist submission: Fly By

Never paid much attention to Ice-T, but this is as good as other West Coast rap of the period and very listenable today. Still know all the words to "Body Count", it appears!

Body Count bro wtf hell yeah

Liekkö Law & Order pehmittänyt minun sydämen, mutta pidin tästä levystä. Ei edelleenkään minun musaa, mutta tykkään Ice-T:n tavasta räpätä. Sen verran rauhallisesti sylkee riimejä, että ainakin minulle toimii paremmin kuin nopeampi englanninkielinen räpäytys. Ja ehdottomasti Body Count tallentui soittolistalle.

Goes on too long but does maintain a decent standard. Never reaches greatness

Nr. 15/1001 Home of the Bodybag 1/5 First Impression NR Ziplock 3/5 Mic Contract 3/5 Mind over Matter 4/5 New Jack Hustler 3/5 Ed 2/5 Bitches 2 3/5 Straight up N* 3/5 O.G. Original Gangster 4/5 The House 3/5 Evil E - What About Sex? NR Fly By 2/5 Midnight 2/5 Fried Chicken NR M.V.P.s 2/5 Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous 3/5 Body Count 2/5 Prepared to Die NR Escape from the Killing Fields 3/5 Street Killer NR Pulse of the Rhyme 2/5 The Tower 2/5 Ya Shoulda Killed Me Last Year NR Average: 2,61 Couldn't really get behind this album. Also don't understand why he included one random rock song.

Bien que mes parents aient été deux gangsters influents de la côte ouest des Etats-Unis, je n'ai à aucun moment retrouvé les sons ni les odeurs de mon enfance lors de l'écoute de ce projet.

Unfortunately, I tested positive for Covid 19 today, so I wasn't really concentrating on this. I remember it being a dope ass motherfucker of an album when I first heard it though.

Decent album. Music and lyrics were interesting, better than I was expecting. Clever wording and a mix of serious and funny. Sound got old quick though and album got boring. Could have been 1/2 an hour shorter.

Not the worst rap album I've heard. It tells a story, even if it's a lot of crap. And as rap goes, it's easy to follow, and hear what he's saying, so that's always a plus. But I still wouldn't choose to listen to it again.

the worst thing CD's did for music was let artists think we wanted albums to last over an hour. We did not. Side, note...this would still bore me if it lasted 30 mins

Not as good as I remembered

Some angry 90s rap

I grew fatigued by this pretty quickly. I'd rather listen to Body Count.

Led Zeppelin sounds fresh still, this album from 1991 sounds dated. Old skool rap that definitely didn't stand the test of time. Flagrant use of the "N" word didn't help, nor make this record cool. Personally, I like my Ice T with a slice of lime better...

It’s not the worst old of school rap but it’s certainly not the best. It’s a bit bloated at over an hour too. It’s definitely a moment in time for rap but it doesn’t hold up, and it’s not as charming to go back and listen to as some other artists from the era

3/10 - It was just bad. Although him giving directions was pretty funny and he continued the tradition of rappers spending an entire song on shouting out random people. The rock song came out of no where but it was alright.

God, 90s hip hop is so overblown and long. Does anyone think there's actually 72 minutes of quality music on this? I mean, it's fine at best. I got news for you buddy

Was a struggle to listen to so didn't listen all the way through.

I don’t hate or even dislike any of it, but I find it to be quite boring. His flow is fine, but his timbre is unspectacular. And it’s soooo long. I can’t imagine sitting through this whole thing again. 2.5/5

Somehow struggled to get into any of these

Tem a música com um minuto, tem as guitarras no body count, mas ainda não funciona para mim um disco com mais de uma hora de rap.

Mostly bad. A couple good songs 2.5

The best song was the rock song. The rest of it was reasonably boiler plate angry man.

Gang shootings, gun sounds, anger.

Feels very one dimensional

Way too long and repetitive

Hip hop rap. Un poco todo igual.

Not bad at all, but really generic.

Most rap's not my thing (there are some notable exceptions - Snoop, Run DMC, Fat Boys, Beastie Boys, et al.). I was on the fence b/w 1 and 2 the whole time - was this just crap or was there something redeeming about it musically? I had literally JUST decided it made it across the threshold to a 2 as the last song ended. And then the bullshit rant at the end to close the album. What a fucking loser. Fuck Ice T. And Fuck his homies who have been locked up for good reason the whole time he's been alive. Keep your politics out of your music - you and every other idiot musician who thinks just because you have a microphone means you have a platform. Stay in your lane.

Once again, rap, to me, is just missing the "C" at the beginning of the word. But then, it wasn't intended for Boomers, was it?

all cuss no music

one sentence review: (Liked "first Impression" for the humour, but I can agree with the words, if you listen to it...) at first enjoyed & felt all cool and tough like gansta, but soon it reminded me why I just dont listen to Rap - gives me a headache, glorifies shitty lifestyle/actions/gang war, machine gun violence, childish, mindless, full of violent disturbing boasts and attitudes, the horrible underbelly of the american psyche of the disempoered and alientated. they want ot destroy the system taht destroys and marginaises them. sounds cool for a sountrack.... but grates really quickly... hardly uplifitngif you listen tot the words.

No entiendo el rap

After the Ice Cube records - which were way too much about his dick - I had low expectations. However I really enjoyed it - great old school beats that play a supporting role rather then dominate and great clear lyrical delivery by ICE T - so can really hear what he's saying. And yes whilst Ice T's dick does feature - its down in a funny way rather than the misogyny of Ice Cube. And for once the skits are actually funny and enhance the record.

pretty tired right now so I'll just say this. it's good. 5/5

I rather liked this - lots going on musically, lots to say, and it introduced me to the rather unhinged world of Body Count. Problematic in places? Definitely, but... tongue in cheek and a bit out there, so sure I can appreciate this! :)

This was pretty good. iceT even has a punk song on here. Great work from an OG.

Wow I was not prepared for how much I liked that. This might be my favorite hip hop album of the project so far. I was expecting it to feel bloated but I wouldn't cut any of the songs and I enjoyed the skits more than usual. Ice T fuses rock in a great way Rating: 4.8

Glad I listened - I never had and gave me a whole new perspective on Ice T!

Stone cold classic. I was absolutely obsessed with this album when it came out. Also the first introduction of Body Count.

Original and brutal nascent Gangsta Rap.

Surprising hit for me, gangsta rap is a genre that I have never listened to nor felt the need to listen to. The album is an interesting, deeply political take on black culture in the early 90s America whose themes and statements still remain as true today as they were then. Lyrically the strongest album thus far and very nice to listen to. Standouts: Straight Up Nigga, Escape from the Killing Fields and Bitches 2

Consistent and well executed. My favorite gangster rap.

An uncomfortable listen at times but in this list on merit.

Didn’t love the first song was a lot of layers that didn’t seem to blend well. But in context of the album I get why. First impression is fucking great. Love a bit. Ziplock, “you should have killed me last year” as an opener is so good. The rest is solid. Mic Contract, i loveee the back beat, no idea if it’s sampled or not but his flow over it is amazing. You can really tell he’s one of the original gangster rappers, that set a standard. Mind over Matter, “it’s not how much you say, it’s what you say.” he’s comfortable in this pocket of rapping and he knows how to use breaks, he fills them with a big sound/ samples of talking or singing. New Jack Hustler, is high energy, the tempo is so fast. Yet he’s rapping with the same amount of clarity. You can catch every word. He’s not fucking around, you will know he works hard and does it his way. I love this energy, he says “They’ll be another one after me” at the end, to me that shows he’s cool with opening doors for others. He also knows his influence. Ed, I could live without. Bitches 2, maybe he’s a feminist?? lol he’s basically saying it’s not just women that are bitches. He talks through men he’s known that “Went out like a bitch.” Love this story telling it’s top tier and the instrumentation is really complimentary. Can’t forget the chorus vocals either. Straight Up, is political, simple as that. It’s about knowing who he is down to his brown marrow and knowing how he was/is seen and treated. His flows all over it are switching up and done flawlessly. O.G., the title track, obviously doesn’t disappoint. “Rapping’ bout hard core topics, Over hard core drum beats.” He’s a self explanatory man. I admire him for it. He’s honest, he writes his experience and makes it very clear that even when he tries to fake it, the pen won’t let him. Evil E, asking where the raps are about sex is iconic, they are giggling they’re gossiping. And i love it. And im a woman. Fly By, he’s rapping so fast Spotify lyrics can’t keep up. Again he’s a legend, it’s very clear. Midnight, is terrifying because it’s such a scary story told very well. It kinda drags in tempo which makes the whole thing more intense. Fried chicken was needed after that and now i want some. M.V.P.s it’s a whole track of Ice just naming people that he has respect for, calling them players of the game. No one does this in 2025. Maybe no one else did this in 91. Respect is important to him, probably a big reason why he’s the O.G. Lifestyles, “I ain’t human no more, I’m a superman”. Talking back then about how difficult fame is, i fear not much has changed. Body Count, “Rock and Roll is black music” he didn’t sell out at all. He just loves music, and feels bad for anyone that doesn’t feel the same. Again ICON, this screamo track shows his versatility and open mind. This is punk. Prepared to Die, a spoken word track, no backing just his voice punching through. Escape, another political song, talking directly to his people. “You should have killed me last year” repeated again in this song. He knows his possible influence on people, and he knows the system doesn’t like that. Street Killer, the have the sound of jazz coming through on this one. Pulse, they tried to ban him, they tried to make him stop, he wasn’t done. I think this album is important to him and must have been really cathartic to make. He was just trusting his artistry. The Tower, “who has the power, the whites the blacks or just the gun tower.” Ya Shoulda, he says this album was completed JANUARY 15th 1991, I am listening to this album 33 years later to the day!!!! I am one of those people that believes in shit like that, like I was meant to hear it today and im really glad 1001 albums generated it for me today. He ends this album sending peace to everyone. And also a bigggg fuck you to the American systems. At the end of the day he’s a man that is a product of his environment and he has masses of talent. He took all he was and put it into his art. I may not listen to the album all the way through again but I will remember to show tracks to people and mention him when talking about legends. It may make me sad that he talks about murder and violence so casually but who am I to find it difficult to hear, he lived through it! I went from knowing nothing to admiring within one album that’s pretty powerful.

I'm not familiar with this album. I note that many reviews reference the anger and violence of the lyrics and give it a low rating. But context is everything, this album accurately reflects the anger and reality of racism, poverty and disenfranchisement for many black people in LA during that period. As Ice T himself admits in the, one of many stands out tracks, OG original gangster: "I try to write about fun and the good times But the pen yanks away and explodes and destroys the rhyme Maybe it's just cause of where I'm from L.A. (*bang!*) that was a shotgun.." I can remember the riots that followed the murder of Rodney King in 1992 and this album reflects the rising tensions due to police/LAPD attacks on the Black community of LA that led up to the events of '92. I think this album is brilliant and wish I had come to this sooner. 5 stars all the way!

Wicked

Simply one of the greatest hip hop records of all time. The beats, his voice and flow, and the NARRATIVES he writes - perfection

Man, I could write a whole essay about how good this album is. The rhymes, the beats, the lyrics. Besides another rapper named Ice and one called Hammer this was my introduction to proper rap music. Rented this from the library back when you had to actually buy music to hear it. Since purchased on vinyl which is unfortunately not the full album. May not be for everybody but this shit is my jam.

I genuinely liked this album and I'm shocked. It is definitely not meant for me a white boy from middle America, but at the same time it's directed to me? It's so interesting how much he can change the tone even within the same song. It's hilarious to see how he ended up, but taken as a snapshot, it's a great time capsule of 1991 and frightening how relevant it still is.

Damn near perfect album tbh

I was living in Long Beach when this came out. I listened to this a lot that year. Drove up to Hollywood to see Body Count play at the Cathouse. Good times. Solid gangsta rap.

a pretty great album that is sadly still relevant today. a lot of important subjects covered here. and ice-t's flow is great - sometimes it's hard to remember he was even a rapper and not just some fresh-mouthed actor. my only gripe here is that there are a handful of songs here that are not as energetic as the others and they aren't as fun. and the rock song is ... interesting. but as a whole, I enjoyed it!

FINALLY A RAP ALBUM 10/10 I LOVE FJJS ALBUM SO MUCH MY FAB SONG IS PREPARE TO DIE

this slaps, despite its length it never felt repetitive or sluggish and I audibly chuckled at several points. Ice T's mind is a wild place to be, A+

I think this era of hip hop is my favourite. This album was mostly rap but there was real variety with the odd funny interlude track, some spoken parts, and even a rock track (Body Count). He swings from extremely serious to funny interludes to places in between, which works, and the music is consistently good. The lyrics are often quite centred on gun violence but he explains many times throughout the album that this is his reality in the place he lives. Fave Track: Mind over Matter Rating: 5

Ice-T is both hilarious and poignant. Great old school hip hop with killer lines and a great message. The Body Count song is also fucking awesome, some much needed variety that kept the later half of the album sound more fresh

Literally (one of) the OG. Listening to Ice T’s lyricism, is very reminiscent of my boy Marshall Mathers. Guaranteed Ice had some (if not a lot) of influence on young Slim and other mc’s. Big fan! How many copy rights did this man buy for this album..?! Sheeeeeeesh

Sehr gut produziertes Hip Hop Rap Album. Ich bin eigentlich kein großer Fan dieser Musikrichtung. Aber wenn man inzwischen kapiert hat, dass Rap nicht gleich Rap ist, dann wird man einer. ICE T ist hier ein großes Werk gelungen

Man this tape didn't leave my tape player for close to a year. I still think it's fantastic! Fantasticly produced. Fantastic order. Great beats, great songs, great rhymes. Great message on all the songs. I'd love to hang out with T. OG aged well and I still enjoy listening/singing along to it. Sad that nothing has really changed in America. I was 16 when it came out and I'm 50 now and I see and hear the same problems. I had been a fan of Ice since the Breakin' days and I always will be.

What a trip. For some reason I always ignored Ice-T's work, and I really shouldn't have. Intelligent lyrics, variety in beats and wonderfully politically engaged. Loved Midnight in particular.

**Review of "O.G. Original Gangster" by Ice-T** Released in 1991, "O.G. Original Gangster" is the fourth studio album by Ice-T, a prominent figure in the evolution of hip-hop. This album is notable for its raw depiction of street life, incisive social commentary, and innovative musical production. Ice-T's work here has left a lasting imprint on the genre. Below, we'll delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, concluding with an analysis of its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics Ice-T's lyrics in "O.G. Original Gangster" are sharp, unflinching, and reflective of the harsh realities of urban life. His storytelling prowess shines through tracks like "Midnight" and "New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme)," where he paints vivid pictures of the violence, struggle, and desperation endemic to the streets. Ice-T's delivery is assertive and confident, commanding attention and driving his messages home with force. The album's title track, "O.G. Original Gangster," is a manifesto of Ice-T's journey and credibility in the rap game, juxtaposing his past life as a gang member with his present status as a successful rapper. The song "Body Count," featuring Ice-T's metal band of the same name, is a cross-genre experiment that addresses police brutality, a theme that resonates deeply in today's social climate. While many tracks focus on the gritty side of street life, Ice-T also delves into introspection and social criticism. "Escape from the Killing Fields" highlights the struggles of escaping the cycle of violence and poverty. "The Tower" addresses the penal system's failures and the cyclical nature of incarceration for African Americans. The lyrics across the album are a blend of aggression, reflection, and a call to awareness, making it a comprehensive narrative of Ice-T's worldview. ### Music Musically, "O.G. Original Gangster" is a rich tapestry of sounds, incorporating elements of funk, rock, and heavy metal, alongside traditional hip-hop beats. The production, handled by Ice-T and DJ Aladdin, is both innovative and eclectic, merging hard-hitting drum patterns with funky basslines and piercing guitar riffs. Tracks like "New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme)" and "O.G. Original Gangster" exemplify the album's dynamic production. The former uses a haunting piano loop and a powerful bassline to create an ominous atmosphere, while the latter features a prominent funk influence with its catchy bass riffs and rhythm. "Body Count" stands out musically due to its fusion of rap and heavy metal, showcasing Ice-T's willingness to experiment and push genre boundaries. This track laid the groundwork for his subsequent venture into the metal genre with the band Body Count. The production quality is consistently high, with each track carefully crafted to complement Ice-T's lyrical content. The beats are varied and engaging, avoiding the monotony that can sometimes plague rap albums. DJ Aladdin's scratching and sampling add a layer of authenticity and respect for hip-hop's roots, while also pushing its creative boundaries. ### Production The production of "O.G. Original Gangster" is a testament to Ice-T's vision and DJ Aladdin's technical prowess. The album's soundscape is diverse yet cohesive, maintaining a balance between innovation and accessibility. The production techniques employed are advanced for their time, incorporating multi-layered samples and live instrumentation. One of the album's production highlights is its use of samples. For example, "Mic Contract" features a sample from "Synthetic Substitution" by Melvin Bliss, a popular break in hip-hop, which gives the track a classic yet fresh feel. "New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme)" samples "Theme from Shaft" by Isaac Hayes, linking Ice-T's contemporary gangster narrative with the blaxploitation era's thematic elements. The mix and mastering of the album are polished, ensuring clarity and punch in the sound. The use of live instruments on certain tracks adds depth and a unique texture to the overall production. Ice-T's collaboration with DJ Aladdin and others resulted in a sound that was both groundbreaking and influential. ### Themes "O.G. Original Gangster" is rich with themes that explore various aspects of urban life, systemic issues, and personal identity. The album's primary theme revolves around the gangster lifestyle, with Ice-T providing a candid look at the allure and dangers of this world. This theme is explored not just in terms of glorification but also with a critical eye towards its consequences. Social commentary is another significant theme. Ice-T addresses police brutality, systemic racism, and the failings of the criminal justice system. Tracks like "The Tower" and "Body Count" are particularly poignant in their critique of how society marginalizes and oppresses African American communities. The theme of survival permeates the album, with Ice-T often reflecting on his own experiences and the broader struggles of those in his community. "Escape from the Killing Fields" and "Midnight" are narratives of perseverance and the quest for a better life despite overwhelming odds. Identity and authenticity are also crucial themes. Ice-T uses the album to assert his credibility and authenticity in the rap game and the streets. The title track "O.G. Original Gangster" serves as a declaration of his realness and a challenge to those who question it. ### Influence "O.G. Original Gangster" has had a profound impact on the hip-hop genre and beyond. Ice-T's fearless exploration of controversial and socially relevant topics set a precedent for future artists to use their platforms for advocacy and social commentary. The album's success helped to solidify gangsta rap as a dominant subgenre in the early 90s, influencing countless artists and shaping the direction of hip-hop. The fusion of rap and metal on "Body Count" was particularly influential, paving the way for the nu-metal movement that would emerge in the mid-to-late 90s with bands like Korn and Limp Bizkit. Ice-T's willingness to cross genre boundaries demonstrated that hip-hop could be versatile and expansive. The album also had a cultural impact, influencing discussions around censorship and freedom of expression. Ice-T's provocative content, especially on tracks like "Body Count," drew significant attention and controversy, contributing to the broader conversation about the role of art in society. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** 1. **Lyrical Depth:** Ice-T's lyrics are vivid, insightful, and impactful, offering a raw and honest portrayal of street life and social issues. 2. **Musical Innovation:** The album's blend of funk, rock, and hip-hop, along with its pioneering use of live instrumentation and sampling, set it apart from contemporaries. 3. **Production Quality:** High production standards, with a clear, punchy mix and creative use of samples and live instruments. 4. **Thematic Richness:** Explores a wide range of themes with depth and nuance, from gangster life and survival to social justice and personal authenticity. 5. **Cultural Influence:** Played a significant role in shaping the direction of hip-hop and influencing future artists across genres. **Cons:** 1. **Controversial Content:** The album's explicit content and aggressive themes may not appeal to all listeners and have led to censorship and controversy. 2. **Niche Appeal:** While groundbreaking, the fusion of rap and metal on tracks like "Body Count" may not resonate with purists of either genre. 3. **Dark Tone:** The consistently dark and gritty tone of the album may be heavy for some listeners, lacking lighter, more uplifting tracks. 4. **Polarizing Style:** Ice-T's assertive and confrontational delivery might polarize listeners, attracting as much criticism as praise. ### Conclusion "O.G. Original Gangster" stands as a landmark album in Ice-T's career and in the history of hip-hop. Its lyrical brilliance, innovative production, and fearless exploration of controversial themes make it a powerful and enduring work. While its explicit content and dark tone might not be universally appealing, the album's influence on music and culture is undeniable. Ice-T's bold storytelling and willingness to push boundaries have cemented "O.G. Original Gangster" as a pivotal record that continues to inspire and challenge artists and listeners alike.

Insanely good

Outstanding

Classic rap album which I loved in my youth. Still a great listen!

I can’t believe I’m giving this album 5 stars but I fucking loved it. It’s like Straight Outta Compton but good! “Throw me in jail, I won't even try to make bail Put me in the gas chamber and watch me inhale” is a HARD line. Also I thought there were only 2 good rap album skits “Deez Nutz” and “Ken Kaniff”. But then I heard “Evil E-What about Sex?” and knew I had to amend my list. Nothing funnier than gangsters BEGGING to hear about a sexcapade and big titties

Oh yeah, OG!