Reviews (page 7 of 8)
Feels kind of corny hearing Ice T talk about being so gangster these days but there’s no denying the guy knows how to tell a story
I’m torn between a 3 and a 4 here because this drags way too long but it’s got a lot to say and says it well. Mind Over Matter is some of the best rapping I’ve heard in any early 90s hip hop. Once it got to the hard rock it lost me. I’ll round up to 4 for his work on SVU.
Lyrically clever and masterful and the tone at times funny and others serious/highlighting important social issues/Black culture. The album also had great flow. I'm surprised by how much I ended up enjoying this - the length is the one this that stopped it from being rounded up to 4 stars
Love the flow and lyrics of Ice T. From top to bottom it was a great Hip-Hop album pointing out problems in society. It's upsetting hearing how much of that is still true today. Overall I did enjoy this album.
I like Ice T’s vocal through this, I’ve always liked his distinctive sound. Great beats, solid early rap/hip hop album. I don’t know that I would listen to it much again but it was good
I love me a bit of gangster rap - but this was a lil much for a Tuesday morning in rural England. Soz.
Okay
Must say, was dreading this with my preconceptions but actually really enjoyed it. Better than a lot of rap out there today
Rap can be great, but not this one!
Talented Ice-T invents new music. Too american for me and way too long
started decent and went on for way too long i have a crush on the girl in the "First Impression" track
Powerful record. Excellent from the start.
Funny how everything related to rap music went so *fast* between 1988 and 1993. When this record came out in 1991, there was something in Ice-T's brand of west coast gangta rap that still sounded fresh and somewhat exciting. Now, decades after the release of *O.G. Original Gangster*, it seems the latter aged a lot less well than other hip hop releases from that specific period. And this compared to either west coast or east coast rap--two sides of that late eighties/early nineties hip hop coin that actually equally inspired the producers of this record if you're paying close attention to it. Admittedly, and even at the time, everyone with half a brain could already smirk at some of the clichés sprinkled on many tracks here. Yet, to be perfectly fair, there were also enough drive, energy and highlights in this album to make it worthwhile to listen to. Those highlights--the title track, "Mind Over Matter", "New Jack Hustler", along with the confessional-yet-acerbic "Lifestyles Of The Rich And Infamous", or closer "The Tower", with its striking depictions of prison life and its *Halloween* theme sample...--still hold their own today, either musically or lyrically. So in a sense, it's still nice to see that Dimery's team didn't forget Ice-T and his contributions to the rap world. And it's nice to see they still had room left for him. Unfortunately, everything else in *O.G. Original Gangster* is at least a notch or two under the level of those five highlights. So, even for ears attuned to old school hip hop sounds, the discrepancy between the hits and the misses--between highlights and obvious fillers--might be a little too large here. Ice-T is sure an interesting figure that deserves respect--someone whose persona and lyrical craft could do wonders at time, and someone who could open doors that needed to be opened. See his whole rap-metal crossover side-project *Body Count*, whose origins can be pinpointed in *this* record, in the track bearing that same name--unfortunately a quite awkward cut, especially compared to the more fully-realized songs this project would soon release in their debut LP. And see also his knack for straightforward storytelling--one that could paint quite vivid pictures about gangland life--either real or imaginary. The thing is, was Ice-T as "essential" for rap as Public Enemy, NWA, A Tribe Called Quest, Dr. Dré, Snoop Dogg, Wu Tang Clan or Outkast were? Was his impact as important? Were his skills as impressive? The jury's still out on this one. Of course, Ice-T would probably retort that said jury can suck his d... all the same, no matter what they decide on his case. You can't change a leopard his spots. And when you're Ice-T, you don't need podiums anyway. Anyone who says "f*ck the Grammys" knows what he's *really* here for anyway. And maybe that is all that matters if you decide to be that sort of artist... Number of albums left to review: 663 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 164 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 79 (including this one) Albums from the list I will certainly *not* include in mine (many others are more essential to me): 93
Crazy good album! Ice-T has a great lyrical flow and touches on some deep subjects. The lyrics are very badass and give some dark insights of life on the streets back in the day. The beats are pretty dope although the album drags on a bit to much at times. Key tracks: Mind Over Matter, New Jack Hustler, Bitches 2, O.G. Original Gangster, Midnight, Fried Chicken, Body Count, The Tower. 8 out of 10
Not really a fan of this one.
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.
Jaysis the MOUTH on him. Did NOT expect what it did 2/3rds of the way through. You can see why this is a classic, really well done. As so often with the rap albums on this list though - goes on a bit. But does take you on a journey.
Lækkert album, skarpt og sjovt, rigtig 90’er
Bit too long but this was good! It was funny
Ez E: know what I'm saying? Me a white man from Cornwall: no
Primordial gangsta ooze. Simply raw.
I just don’t understand why the list author included so much early 90s rap.
As much as I dislike the braggadocio inherent in gangsta rap, this record is a blast. As "First Impression" plainly states, I find Ice T to be the dopest, flyest, O.G. pimp hustler, gangsta player, hardcore motherfucker living today...
Je propose que l'on oublie collectivement l'existence du gangsta rap, qui m'aime me suive
écoutable en fond je dirais
3.5
Bitches 3 coming soon
Not my scene
I mean, it's Ice-T. Clever guy doing stupid stuff. It's fun.
Time flies when you’re having fun. And Ice T is just extremely good fun. He manages what most rappers don’t; to deliver serious messages while maintaining his humor. Hell, I even enjoyed the skits. Ice T truly is the O.G.
Eh it’s ok just looooooong
It is too easy to forget how Ice T got his start and rather focus on his turn as an actor and spokesperson, but this album stands with its contemporaries of early 90's Rap. There are several tracks that seem to go on a bit too long, but those are often offset by quality intro skits and creative beats on the next track.
o.g. original gangster is one of the better gangsta rap albums that i've heard as part of this project. that being said, it could definitely have been tightened up. 76 minutes seemed all too long, even though ice t commented on important subjects. that, to me, is this album's biggest weak point. well, the misogyny isn't great either, but that has been part of all of the gangster rap of the late eighties and early nineties thus far. i enjoyed the various methods ice t used to get a point across: a public service announcement, an interview, a news bulletin. it allowed him to directly speak to the listener. the best part was the opening of "body count," where ice t all but chastises listeners if they limit themselves in music--and then he proceeds to bang out a great rock and punk song. that was the standout of the album, and allowed ice t to flex his music muscles.
I really just don't think I care for early 1990s gangsta rap. It's important and it's worth including on this project, but I just continue to not be that into it. That said, this album was more palatable to me personally than most of the early 90s gangsta rap I've received thus far. Speaking of the gangsta rap albums I've been given on this project, this album, like the others, contains a lot of important social commentary but also a lot of overt misogyny. Really, this album seemed a little bulky as well and could have benefitted from some trimming. Body Count was a nice surprise on the album! I actually think I would be able to get behind an Ice T punk album. I liked how the song was prefaced by an interview in which Ice T made it clear that he does what he wants; hearing him speak about skirting expectations and then doing it was outstanding. Overall, I think I'd give this album a 2.5-ish. Body Count almost makes it a 3 for me.
Ice-T is the O.G. of overlong albums. When you have to listen to it for that long, the tracks start to blend together. Best track: New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme)
Ice T, not for me
Probably among the last 80s style hip hop. Can't say I'm not a crazy big fan of this if I'm honest. It's good but I wouldn't say it's great. 7/10.
Decent music and lyrics even now, but back then it was something else, nostalgia bumps it up one point
My overall impression of this album was that it felt new but nascent. By this I mean that it has some groundbreaking stuff there - "New Jack Hustler" is an all-timer for the genre, and it introduced "Body Count", a pretty unexpected crossover of punk and gangsta rap. But at the same time the rhymes are comparatively basic to where the genre would go in a few years, and efforts like Body Count similarly felt like a version 0. Still, you gotta respect Ice T for all his inventiveness and willingness to take things in new directions.
Hip-hop del de qué grande la tengo...
Hip hop rap. Un poco todo igual.
Hard to know how to rate this... I don't personally like it, particularly the lyrics, but the production was better than the other gangsta rap albums.
Just alright
I almost entirely forgot that Ice-T was a "hardcore gangsta" rap artist, before becoming a type-casted investigator in every single crime drama television show on TV made in the last decade. Honestly, this isn't all that special. The lyrics are largely sophomoric posturing (i.e. 'Ziploc'). The rhymes are mostly pretty obvious ends, slants, and identical. The verse timing is mostly repetitive and don't do much to play off of or enhance the tracks, with the notable exception of 'Lifestyles of the Rick and Infamous'. Some of the tracks are fun (i.e. 'Bitches 2'), with a ton of samples and layers, but in general they don't stand out from the crowd all that much. It's unfortunate because Ice-T seems like a pretty thoughtful guy who would have something important to say. There are glimpses of that in 9 tracks after 'M.V.P.s', for sure. Anyhow, if you want high quality early 90's rap, there is plenty of it. Let's put Jurassic 5's 'Quality Control' in here, instead!
3.5
For the longest time, I only knew ice t from svu and thought he was pretty cool on that until I found out he used to be a famous rapper. I was interested to hear this album since I’d never heard any of his music until now and it was pretty much what I expected. Early 90s hip hop that isn’t really my thing but I can appreciate objectively. The lyrics/storytelling on here are good but still didn’t fully do it for me except for body count which shows how white I am I guess. The final skit was good but is cancelled out by the cringe first skit
Like the message. Body Count and The Tower were great, wish the rest of the album was as good.
I wasn't that into it but I really liked the public service announcement at the end. That bumped it up a star for me.
I remember some of these tracks from when the album was popular and getting a lot of attention. Very catchy and well crafted.
Hard tracks hit hard but lots of filler
Super solid 90s gangsta rap album, a little long for my tastes, and sadly riddled with filler that drags it down. But the bangers bang harder than Ice T banged yo mama last night.
Booolshit! I am once again grateful this exercise is getting me to listen to some foundational hip hop albums. A bit long but I liked it and learned more about Ice T.
I like Ice T. He's one of the reasons why Law & Order: Special Victims Unit is worth watching and his music is no-bullshit, old school Gangsta rap. I laughed out loud and nodded my head several times with his amazing lyrics and his delivery is on point. An enjoyable, intense listen, not for the faint of heart and conservative white Americans! (If you don't want to hear the word Nigger, move on.)
OG indeed
6/17, 35%
Ég veit ekki alveg af hverju, en ég hef alltaf haft soft spot fyrir Ice-T. Hann er eitthvað svo krúttlegur að reyna að vera rosa harður gaur og blóta voða mikið og vera anti-establishment og sjitt. Love it!
Ice T is a GOAT. His rapping is so hard-core, raw, and badass, and his metal shit is also top notch.
The skits may not have been wholly necessary, but this is still an excellent album. A worthy addition to the gangsta rap canon.
Ice T? The actor? What a wild album. It was fun and funny and it was hard to tell how serious he being. This was my first time listening to any of his music and I’d put it on par with listening to Bruce Willis music
Has a few moments of substance that go beyond gangster fantasy, especially in the second half. I don’t think a lot of rappers then or now were urging listeners to do something about child abuse. Or being so straightforward when it comes to the impacts of systemic racism. He’s saying some important things in 1991 that Americans are just starting to acknowledge in the third decade of the 21st century. Lifestyles of the rich and infamous is a highlight, also escape from the killing fields. I got more out of it than I expected but it’s not something I’m going to be listening to too often. The production let him down somewhat I think—I know this is classic west coast style (heavy on the James brown samples) but a lot of these beats are just kind of flat. If it were a little more focused (like 45 minutes instead of 75) and the beats were a little stronger, this would have gone to the next level for me.
Pretty dope
Can see the influence it had on Hip Hop of the 90's, while still having the raw mix style of the 70's & 80's. Unfortunately this really means it's a poor version of both, not as polished as later artists like Tupac and not as authentic as Public Enemy. Has the worst of both eras as well with skits and attempts at rock music.
It wasn't painful but it was boring
I am giving it three stars. I am not evaluating the history or the culture behind this album because I do not know it well, and that is likely why this album does not resonate with me that well.
No entiendo el rap
Simply not for me
One of the most sonically diverse gangster rap albums ever. A great mix of thoughtful and political spoken word, heavy beats, and even a hard rock song. It's just way too long man - there is some great stuff here but also a lot of filler, and a more refined tracklist could have given this album so much more of an impact
This album is way too long for what it is, but I liked some parts of it. It gets old pretty fast, although the production is nice and it stays pretty consistent.
Mid
Like when someone snorts too much cocaine, or bets too much on the ponies
Pretty alright but so long that I didn't finish it
This is very listening for non-rap lover, in comparison to most of the stuff that I've heard anyway. Good interesting rhymes. Nice use of profanity!
Pretty much west coast rap as I expect. Really enjoyed the Body Count's rap hew. But still for me, east > west I think... 4.5
It's fascinating how "O.G. Original Gangster" is described as the pioneer of gangsta rap. It's as if Ice-T described himself as the "original gangsta" before gansta rap or gangsta aesthetic in general blew up. Or maybe the culture is already on fire in 1991. Still, I can definitely see how raw and sincere it is. It really felt like the beginning of something, a new genre. It has the vibes and energy of Public Enemy. And of course, this isn't as revolutionary as the mentioned group. But I still get it. Apparently, Ice-T realized that writing "party-rap" like everybody else is worthless, so he started writing about the realities in his rough life in Los Angeles (?). But perhaps the only thing that truly interested me here is how he used rock/hardcore music. And he was true about rock (or rock-'n'-roll as they refer to it) originally coming from black people. I guess that little rap vs rock thing has a race dimension. Although I wouldn't say that the rock elements are very great, they're still fascinating as a listen. In "Body Count", he introduced his band of the same name. The metal-ish track caught me off guard. It might be out of place but it broke the monotony of the album. The band will eventually release the controversial "Cop Killer", which would inspire N.W.A.'s "Fuck tha Police". Also, RATM would release their debut in the same year. Influential, I guess. Although Bestie Boys did a hard rocking rap rock album half a decade ago. Btw, "When the Levee Breaks" is better with "Sweet Leaf" than it is with "Black Sabbath". Still, "Midnights" is also a fascinating, monotony-breaking, rap rock track. Overall, quite decent. Just too long and too monotonous. But that's just gangsta rap, of course.
• I listened to this album while doing other things but, unlike other albums I’ve listened to while doing this, this album never fell into the background. • Ice T’s voice is great • The spoken interludes between songs were a very nice change of pace • The topics covered in the songs are meaningful and still relevant today. Favourite song: Body Count
Not as trite as I feared. Suffers from the same failing as many 'rap' albums of the period – lacking true variety. It's only now, at an advanced age, that I do understand the objection that some people had to pop music. In borrowing from both rap and metal tropes, this album (inadvertently) underlines the distinction without a difference that makes much (not all) pop disposable.
Is he Fin Tutuola? Is he a cop killa? Nah, he's the OG. This is definitely a snapshot of a different cultural time. "You need this kind of song... now this kind of song..." Yet there are still some commentaries on the objectification of women and glorification of violence--which was all prevalent in the gangster rap of the time. The samples and beats are fun. Can you hear Led Zeppelin in there?
Pretty corny these days, but perty good
Pretty good, there’s a lot to like here favorite song was probably Midnight, it had a pretty nice, industrial beat even when parts of the album got corny, I was still able to appreciate it it’s a 9/10 for me
After the first listen I was so sure but on the second playthrough I started to warm up so maybe it just needs a few more listens. For now though faves are Midnight and Body Count.
Old school gangsta rap isn’t really my thing so I was expecting this to be a 2 or 3 star listen, but Ice-T’s rock inclinations and a couple of cool samples elevated this to a four! Fave track - “Midnight”, “Body Count” and “The Tower”. Awww yeah.
This is why I have an aversion to hop hop and rap music
Two Ice’s back to back and neither of them were special to me. I just… it’s not for me. Sorry, I’m not someone who likes or wants to listen to gangster rap. *shrug*
He's a hustler
This one is not for me. Just a really dated style of rap that I do not wish to listen to
The only track I found slightly interesting was Body Count. I understand what I’ve T did for gangster rap, but I find the music to be uninspiring and the rhymes to be subpar.
Why is Ice-T dressed like Mike Reno in the New Jack Hustler video? Good classic album.
Compelling. Though the content is clearly violent and dark, it doesn't take a naive or dumb approach even when it is being boastful. It is intelligently written and covers so much ground; does an amazing job of portraying a time and place.
BOOM! I put off listening to this until my kids were out of earshot which was a sensible move. But moving beyond the explicit lyrics, this album is absolutely banging! The beats are raw and gripping and Ice-T's raps are on point. I can overlook my unease as a non-black person listening to an album laden with references to a certain word beginning with n, have a 5/5
3.6 - Towards the end of her life, my grandmother’s impeccable cooking skills started to deteriorate. She still prepared huge feasts and she’d lovingly encourage, ply, shame and guilt trip us into stuffing ourselves well past satiation. Listening to the 73 minutes of this album feels like eating at my late grandma’s. Sure, everything served up is okay, even good, and I appreciate the effort to put it all together. But I end up feeling bad for wanting much, much less of it. Standouts: “New Jack Hustler”, “Bitches 2.”
There's a few real standouts on this, but certainly not enough to justify its length. Half of the tracks could have been easily removed and it would have made a much stronger album.
Good hip-hop album, some nice songs in there. Too bad it's way too long for what it has to offer.
Most of gangsta rap doest speak to me. Its always so far from my reality...I found that this album was just too long for what it was.
It's a very good album that represents well the gangsta rap genre. I liked the references to rock music and even that Ice-T takes the time to express his opinion on the subject during the record. There are nice tracks and punchlines. The sampling of Black Sabbath or Carpenter were very cool. That said, why making so long album while all the music is on the same pace? I'll never understand how it can be interesting for so long while being always on the same pace.
Really damn good.
Excellent!
Man who knew noted law & order SVU actor Ice-T could also rap?
1h15 vraiment... Pas un flow vraiment intéressant... les beats sont intéressant et les sample son très funky, ce que j'adore, mais j'ai jamais été vraiment fan de ICe-T. J ene veux pas mettre deux pour les samples et DJ, 3.
Pretty good. Lyrics are great
The trio of Mic Contract, Mind Over Matter, and New Jack Hustler is pretty great. Some of the rhymes are very of their time and sound a little ridiculous now, but this is a great album overall.
As Ice T said in Ziplock, “I’m back motherfucker” I’ve never really listened to Ice T before. I thought the first skit was pretty funny. I’m not quite sure what it was but I found his flow a little strange and didn’t love it on most of the songs. I think it wasn’t lyrically impressive enough for how slow he was rapping. This would have benefited from features. I really just am not an fan of any rap from this time period and think it all sounds the same.
Doesn't this have to be on the list simply for the irony of Ice-T portraying a cop that has become longest running male TV character in history. One of the first, if not the first (Schoolly D) mainstream gangsta rap releases. Gets points for presenting and both glorifying and critiquing a lifestyle nor previously represented in music. The music is unrefined and the pivot to Body Count is only hinted at, but the overall effect is authentic and powerful.
Wow, this is intense. His anger comes through in so many ways -- obviously in the lyrics but also is the pacing, phrasing and the guitar riffs. Hard to say I liked it because of the violent and misogynistic images, but there's an important message embedded here. I think Body Count is the best song on the album. Great early mix of rap and metal.
Picking up where NWA left off with Straight Outta Compton but reminding everyone that he did it first. Ice T did a good job here showing people what gangsta rap is and has some fun beats too. Unfortunately I think this album is about 30 mins too long. Remove the skits and some of the worse songs and this would have been a better album. Would have gotten a 3.5 if possible.
Sorry to say this had a "frosty" reception in Casa Da Watts household. Ps: sorry about the crap dad joke pun above. Not funny. Just couldn't help myself.
Always great for a soundbite but just misses. Not as articulate as public enemy, not as dangerous as nwa, not as stoned as snoop dog. An interesting time for hip hop and he's part of that story but just not a big hitter.
Not quite as good or as articulate as it should have been. Body count did better
Braggadocios
I remember hearing Body Count for the first time in my teens, blew my mind! Digging the Black Sabbath and Halloween samples, brings in elements of psychological horror. OG is a great album, but it's way longer than it should be. Maybe if it focused more on the hard hitting themes and less on appeasing the pimps, it could be a classic.
Oof this is almost a skip album (the sex song was my least favorite). So many tracks are timeless. This is hard, musically adventurous, artistic… and that last track—incredible end. His voice and lyrics and attitude and intellect are five stars. Iconic album.
Ice T generally seems like a reasonable guy but I don't think I've ever knowingly listened to his records. I hoped I'd like this, but I found the beats dull and the lyrics a bit dumb. I'll give it another go when I'm in more of an old school hip hop mood, but overall it was generally underwhelming.
Empezó bien, mejor que otros discos del género que nos ha tocado… Pero ah qué largo. De hecho no sé si lo acabé y no estoy seguro de querer revisar.
Crazy that this guy is an actor now
Some decently entertaining stuff here but overall this album feels very dated and doesn't bring nearly enough to the table to justify its long runtime. Not to mention the heaps of casual misogyny.
I'm sure it's trailblazing, but.... just not my jam
An accessible and engaging hip hop album, this stands the test of time and does not sound at all dated, 30+ years after it's release. Apparently considered an early "gangsta rap" record, the themes of street life are viscerally conveyed with pathos and regret rather than glorification. It seems Ice T was decades ahead of his time. Not my genre, but one of my favourites of the genre. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: New Jack Hustler (Nino's Theme) Date listened: 01/06/22
yech!
Very neat rhyming, excellent beats for jogging. Obviously very violent, but the intelligence, wit and irony are clear. Great voice. Not as awful as I would have expected for gangsta rap.
Ice T knows what’s up in every way
I was really surprised by how much I liked this album it was a bit long but overall really witty and selfaware
i was surprised at how much i liked this. the production is largely simple but good, and T has some real lyricism here.
This is really good. Hard-hitting and great beats. Long. Great shift to rock on Body count. Like the narrative interrmissions.
So this is the affable, older gentleman from the insurance and cereal commercials. Oh, Gee! It's hard to keep me hooked for over an hour, but this album sounded pretty good from start to finish. I was moving along the whole time. I was dreading the rap-metal track, but I really liked it. After having been expanding my hip hop/rap horizons, this album seems so much more self-aware and analytical than previous works. Not just "here were are," but "why we are here." I gained some understanding, insight, and appreciation from this album. That said, I completely missed the logic in "Bitches 2." So, "ladies," it's not so bad to be called a bitch because... now wait, what? And again so many references to women's body parts without ever really referring to a sentient human being attached to those parts...but...sigh. But aside from that general complaint about most hip hop, I enjoyed this album.
I certainly know Ice-T as a rapper, but I am much more familiar with him as Tutuola. I know very little of his rap repertoire, but as far as a rap album goes, I thought that this one was quite a good one. I like Ice-T’s rap-style and rhymes. The music was also highly engaging for me. I can see calling up this album when I am in a mood for some rap of the 90s…which is certainly not on the daily, but…
"It's just so LONG" has been my main complaint about some of our albums in the last couple weeks. You know what they say...if the album's too long, you're too damn old, Gramma. I like Ice-T's sound and enjoy the riffs and samples here. But this just went on and on and on. I think I would have enjoyed the 16-track vinyl album more.
“Oh boy,” I thought as I looked at 73 minutes of 1991 rap. It isn’t my preferred genre. When I put this on and didn’t mind the first track. Then “First Impression” - not really a musical track but a monologue - took me by surprise and made me really laugh. Maybe there will be enough here to carry me through to the end… There is a lot of variety on these songs. Yes, there is a lot of guns and drugs. These lyrics aren’t for family listening. Still I was surprised how far between my pearl-clutching moments were. Ice T throws in some moments of humor and empathy and social messaging that made this feel better than a lot of rap I’ve heard. The self-reflection and a willingness to examine and play with the tropes of the genre I find very refreshing. Still not something I will probably listen to while relaxing and chilling, but I like it and respect its place on this list.
Ice T seems like a cool guy, but unfortunately, I still find rap music really boring(
Still stands up, very fond memories of this as a teenager - was lent it from a friend and it felt genuinely dangerous to listen to.
Genre: Gangsta Rap 3/5 Ice-T is one of those dudes who has certainly grown out of what some call "the hood mentality". A legitimate actor and family man, Ice-T has since rebuilt his life, leaving behind any of the real-world cultural trappings that men in his situation generally aren't able to leave behind. Before he took a full nose dive out of the culture, he dropped O.G. Original Gangster, a gangsta rap opus that spans almost 80 minutes. It's bloated, and at the same time is both repetitive and constant in its themes and musical backdrops, while also being a bit of an overall mess. While O.G. didn't have too many big singles (the title track was successful in the rap charts at the time), it features plenty of lush, g-funk style production that provides each track with some great beats to enjoy throughout the project (Home of the Bodybag, Straight Up N***a, Lifestyles). There are some stylistic choices that make this stink of the early 90s. There are lots of skits and interludes, rap album staples of the time, but the weirdest thing here is the rap-metal crossover, Body Count. A song that isn't too weird of an experiment in its own right, but sounds totally out of place musically. Thematically, however, it's right on pitch. Not a bad album by any means, but a little too long, and a little too heavy and vulgar for your average music listener.
Honestly, I went in not knowing what to expect, and it was better than I expected. It wasn’t that great however, it simply exceeded the low bar set for it. This isn’t really my genre. It follows the formula of its predecessors and albums that were inspired by this album, so there’s not much for me to say about it. Although the songs are relatively formulaic, the samples and sound effects were interesting. In addition, the commentaries interspersed throughout the album gives a bit of a story, which is also interesting. Favorite track: Body Count
Ice T has an incredible lyrical prowess, but I don't connect with this album. A lot of my enjoyment comes from the jazz and old school instrumentals, but they don't fulfill the lack of enjoyment that I get from the album as a whole. There a lot of choices that fall flat for me on this album, and there is a lot of uncomfortable sexual tension that I feel coming from the persona that puts me off. Speaking about instrumentals, I think that the Black Sabbath one goes incredibly hard. One of my favorite musicians, Backxwash sampled the same song and did it in a very different way, but I really liked that. Other than this specific thing though, this album doesn't really do it for me, but I do understand why it makes the list. There also seems to be a lot of bloat. This album is LONG. Like really long. And it has a lot of songs. If this album had concentrated on some of its central themes more clearly, I think it would raise its score from me. Body Count's song is pretty good. I like this fusion a lot even though I think many people do not enjoy the fusion between rock/metal into hip-hop. Highlights: 14, 18, 19, and 33.
Great sense of humor. Decent variety. Good flow. But also wasn't blown away by it and it's too long.
I mean it's right in the title, he's the OG.
90s rap just doesn't do it for me.
It's interesting listening to this with the knowledge that he ended up on Law & Order SVU.
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.
I liked this much more than I expected to. Witty & angry at the same time.
Yeah alright
1991. O.G. Original Gangster
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
Känner mig farlig
Samma känsla som för mycket av den här oldschoolhiphopen, bra beats men inte övertygad av rapen. Ice T är bättre i Body Count
Detta var... inte så bra som jag ville.
ganska kul och bra men way to långt va
Really good when it's good but just as bad when it's bad. Horrible album cover!
Amazingly progressive and political. Fun Zeppelin sample on one of the tracks.
Good grief but 72 minutes of this was WAY too much, though when it really hits it's good. Sampling Zeppelin and Sabbath on "Midnight" was particularly amusing.
I heard the ‘rock that shit homie’ sample then got sucked into listening to JSRF soundtrack. This was really good tho! Better than I expected
Hip hop and mysogynistic wannabe "gangsta" rap. Would gladly give this 0 stars. But alas ... 1/5.
Pleasantly surprised
A little bloated, a little samey, but damn, Ice-T got more flow than I was expecting. I never gave him much credit; guess that's gonna change.
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
Wow.. the flow of the album was amazing. Way better than I expected
Ice T is not afraid to go beyond genre and reclaim rock and rolls black roots. This attitude and openness elevate this album and makes it stand out among early 90s gangster rap. He raps clearly and though he’s not the most acrobatic rapper, everything fits together well.
The real OG was Schoolly D. His 1985 single PSK What Does It Mean? is widely credited as the first gangsta rap song, including by Ice-T, who said it inspired him to write 6 'n the Mornin'. I don't know if Schoolly was still living at home or didn't have a phone in those days but Ice called him at his mum's, asking him to listen to his new track before he put it out. He wanted Schoolly to know he was a fan, not a biter. Ice had already used crime, and specifically murder, as a theme on 1984's Killers, but the murderers were abusive husbands and spineless young cops, and he was warning against getting caught up in it. Schoolly D never gives the Park Side Killas their full name in PSK, but he spells out that they're the in-crowd and if you don't already know what it means, you're not. When he hears another MC trying to copy his style, he pulls a gun on him. I prefer his earlier single Gangster Boogie, which has a fluid vocal cadence and groove that anticipates Paid In Full. PSK is closer to the cutting edge of 1984: the hard, sparse beat of Run DMC's Sucker MCs. However, its icy, cavernous sound is like nothing else I've heard in rap. The beat was made by Schoolly on a 909, while DJ Code Money dropped in vocals from The Official Adventures of Flash Gordon and Beside's Change The Beat. It's absolutely drenched in reverb, but steely. Around the same time, The Jesus and Mary Chain were making a similar sound on In A Hole. They would later explore their love of rap on Automatic, but at this point it was almost certainly a coincidence. As Schoolly put it, "It was anti-radio! It was anti-establishment. It was anti-everything. That’s the fucking difference." His "art first, money second" ethos may have been left behind a long time ago, but if there's any doubt that PSK's influence is still being felt today, the friend who phones Schoolly D in the second verse is called Chief Keith. 6 'n the Mornin' is superior storytelling though, and Wreckin' Cru member The Unknown DJ eases off on the reverb to let Ice-T's narrative take the starring role. Like Killers two years earlier, it depicts a South Central where violence is constant and seemingly at random. His delivery is laid back; there's no cause for excitement, this is everyday. This time it's a first person tale, but aside from a reference to "hos catchin' whiplash tryna glimpse the T," the narrator could be anyone. When he and Sean get pulled over by the LAPD they were probably driving safely. The cops find concealed weapons and Ice spends 7 years in jail. When he comes out, crack has taken over the streets. By 1991, a lot had changed in rap. Musically, it's a period with fewer drum machines and more sampled breaks. 5 years on from the genre's first platinum album, Raising Hell, it was a big business. You can bet Schoolly D's mum didn't answer his phone any more. The PMRC had made artists put advisory stickers on their records, which must have felt like a dare to take things further, but also contributed to a growing defensiveness, with lyricists constantly calling out their critics like Axl Rose and reminding listeners of their past glories. It's depressing, but understandable for artists who have worked their way up from nothing and are surrounded by people who either want to take their place, ban their music or otherwise hurt them. We're also in the CD era, where every album has to be padded out to over an hour with skits and interludes. You have to wait until track 3 for an actual song. As a result, I haven't got through the whole thing in one sitting yet and my thoughts are very much first impressions. It's lean, fast and toppy, with few hooks. So far, my favourite songs are the James Brown sampling title track and Bitches 2, where the bass and trumpet give more dynamic and melodic variation. I prefer the slower, smokier records of the period: double bass, horns and piano, the smoothness and melodicism of A Tribe Called Quest, or Cypress Hill. However, the furious intensity does reflect the way things had ramped up in the previous few years, with the crack epidemic and the rate of homicides of black males aged 14-24 roughly doubling between 1984-89. Midnight is presented as a prequel to 6 'n the Mornin', but it feels more like a sequel, with the chaos of gun battles, police chases and explosions playing out over the vast cacophony of Iommi guitars, Bonham drums and a woman's screams. To be honest, I found the whole thing exhausting. If I tried to explain how it makes me feel, I'd get into the same "old man yells at cloud" territory as Hans Keller, when he interviewed Pink Floyd on The Look of the Week in 1967, so I'll give him the last word: "Why has it all got to be so terribly loud? For me, frankly, it's too loud, I just can't bear it."
Primeros discos de inicio del rap. Sintetizadores y sin mucha variedad. Para los muy clasistas del rap. Se deja escuchar, pero no tiene nada de virtusismo.
The best thing about this exercise is the great hip hop albums I've been introduced to. ICE Ts album Power was the first rap album I ever purchased back 35ish years ago. This album is wonderful. Intelligent, compelling, musically diverse and just fucking good. 4.5🌟
Muy bien . I love me some Ice T.
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.
Carino, ma non mi rimane molto. Bella 'M.V.P.s' Boh, gli altri album RAP mi parevano meglio.
I don't listen to rap but it is better than the previous new wave albums I had to listen to...
The usual early 90’s west coast sound.
Straight Up!
“Better as manifesto than as music.”
4/5. Actually pretty swag, got some attitude, pretty aight
Boring
The fact that Ice-T just threw in a rock song in this album is so cool. The rest of the album is very good too, always liked the 90's rap more than any other era of rap (yes I'm looking at you, mumble rap).
2.5/5. Has some decent songs here and there but jesus are there way too many songs.
Der O.G. gibt Gas und macht vor allem auf der Sample-Ebene mächtig Spaß. Das ist zwar so oldschool, aber einfach packend gesetzt und zusammengebaut. 3.4
For the most part, I found this to be a fun listen. A little too long, but still enjoyable. Favorites: "O.G. Original Gangster", "Midnight", "Body Count" (even though it sounds nothing like the rest of the album)
Pretty cool album. It's a huge jump from today's hip-hop, or even anything in the 2000s but its still a good listen. Great lyricism and swag from Ice-T. 6/10
Body count was a nice surprise, sonically.
I like the direction it took! Not totally my sound though.
actually very enjoyable and flowed nicely
fantastic lyricism and rap/rock instrumentals; drags on too long; very fun highlights but some unremarkable tracks
Fucking great. Despite variable production, this holds up well 30 years later, some skits aside.
Beste nummers: New jack hustler Bitches 2 OG original gangster
Meat and potatoes gangsta rap. Solid production choices throughout; Body Count stands out but very much as an example of its time. Ice-T's lyricism is consistent, hits all the beats, and is slightly repetitive. The storytelling on Midnight is especially good. The skits fit. The 72 minutes feel earned.
oof, this was a tough listen. I like ICE-T. He is smart and charismatic, and I saw him live at the Enmore Theatre in 1989, and he was terrific live. I liked the Power album, and some of the Iceberg. But this is not good. It sounds like an early blueprint for gangsta-rap, even though it comes well after Straight Outta Compton and some of the other ur-texts of the genre. It should sound a lot better than this. He mentions Six in the Morning 3 or 4 times, which sounds like trying too hard to establish his cred. The misogyny is appalling. And there is so much flab on this album. MVP and Ya Should Killed Me Last year (and most of the skits) are just Ice rambling off the top of his head (not even free styling). And so long! At 72 minutes, this could have been significantly edited down, and made a much stronger album. I really wanted to like this, but it's flabby and lazy and irrelevant and unpleasant. And Ice-T can be so much more than that. Not his best.
A look into the lives of the LA rappers moving into the 90s. This lengthy album has many interludes and asides where it felt a little drawn out. Definitely some tracks could've been cut, or edited a little better. Best: O.G. Original Gangster Worst: Fly By
Mkay
Al principio me costó, pero es muy buen disco
7/10 pretty formulaic but good for a 1991 rap album
5/10. Kinda better than I expected. Quite long, but very animated throughout, and sorta fun to listen to. Another 90's rap album where it's interesting to hear the artist give their take on reclaiming the n-word
Some of this has aged great, some has aged poorly. Minus a rating for being so long too. 6/10
New to me. Some of the production now sounds dated, and it is definitely too long. But the first half still sounds pretty great.
Picked up as it went along. Before my time, but He had a lot to say and said it well.
Two ICE T in a week. That's enough ICE T to make kombucha taste good.
Ice T has no chill
It's good, but again nobody needs well over an hour of it
it occurred to me that ice-t's rhymes sound more or less exactly like flynt flossy except without irony. i want to give this a 2 but it pulls a kind of nostalgia out of me that i appreciate
A shade below the absolute best rap albums of the era and a touch too long at 72 minutes in length, but still pretty solid and worthy overall.
DA O.G. GANGSTA 1991
Old school gangsta rap. Definitely not my thing, just talking about how hard he is, how much sex he has, how much money and guns he has. It's produced well but just not my bag. I am giving it a higher rating because my opinion is based on my life experience and that I just don't enjoy the gangsta mentality or glorification, but I respect that this was impactful for black culture. Also the last track is the best part of the album, that was worth an extra point on itself too.
Pretty cool and diverse album, covers a good amount of ground, don’t feel the need to listen many more times though
I respect Ice T more after listening to the album. It kept my attention. 3.5
I don't usually listen to rap, but when I do it is these OGs like Ice-T. This early stuff is raw and powerful, like the beginnings of punk. Really good album
2.5 just because it's Ice T.
this was great, even if i got a little tired of it by the end. the amount of cultural change t represented, and helped bring about, is hard to comprehend - but it was real, and that legacy is important. i got to see him w/bodycount in 1992 or so, and although i didn't care much one way or the other back then, i'm glad i got to be there for it.
Gutes Album, sozialkritische Texte.
hey, an album I could listen to! finally!
Fucking O.G.!
This was the most painful listen to date for sure. The lyrics are so awful it's unbelievable.
Bc bc bc
its not for me. I confused ice T and ice cube, I preferred the ice cube one..
Stop recommending me rap albums. I don't like rap albums
Classic Golden Era, Gansta Rap. I'll give you that.
Too long, nothing stood out. Shite lyrics and all I could hear was Dan Harmon.
Better than anticipated!
I haven't listened to OG since around when it came out so it was really surprising just how brilliant it is. I was blown away by the lyricism and the consuming beats. Really dang good work.
Proprio non il mio genere (ascolto poco però e in modo poco attento)
1/5 Too many nigga's and bitches.
ni buenas pistas ni buenos flows, no entiendo inglés, seguramente instauró un estilo o tiene buenas letras no lo se
shit smacks, dude has the best skits, lots of amazing rhymes
2/5 meh, nigga nigga niggani gga, tylsät biitit ja riimit
mucha calle a veces demasiada
Not good. Horribly outdated. Rhyme scheme and instrumentals and beats are too old to be enjoyable. Very repetitive and uninspiring.
Great album, would not have listened if it wasnt for this. New found appreciation for ice t.
wow blown away by the variety and simultaneous depth of this album
Bitches 2
Standouts "Body Count" It.. rocks.
Ice T at his best. Lyrics and music that are powerful and strong.
Fun album. I don't think I've ever actually heard any music by ice t before today.
Too long and repetitive
Probably revolutionary for it's time, but pretty dated
Ice T is the g.o.a.t always will be.
A classic for sure although pretty long!
First introduction to gangsta rap, and honestly went in with a bad attitude. However, this is not bad and I enjoyed it but can't compare it to anything else in this genre. Black Sabbath being sampled in Midnight was fun. Body Count slaps and throws it over the top for me. 4.2/5.0.
probably interesting at the time but i doubt i would listen again
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.
Not a big rap fan.
It's listenable. A little dated and samey across the album.
Comme vous le savez tous, je voulais sanctionner cet album d'un cinglant 2/5 pour sa longueur et sa monotonie, mais il faut reconnaitre que Ice-T a su créer une atmosphère qui lui permet de s'en tirer avec un 3. Je ne relancerai pourtant jamais cet album, jamais Robert tu m'entends? Tes albums de merde commencent a me courrir sur le haricot.
I enjoyed this, there was a lot of swearing! I'd listen again.
80s rap GOD
not heard it before, OK for the first 10 mins then lost interest.
LMAO this album. I've never heard it before, but this guy is cool. This music clearly uses humor to cope with some pretty hard realities. I love how it fluctuates between getting real talking about the native america's land being stole and then calling it a nigger move to do that. The interludes are hilarious and entertaining and the rock mix was grand. Love how political it got too. At the same time, this album is more like a manifesto than it is an album. I love it, but it's not high art. More like commentary. I am not impressed with the production or instrumentals, but the rhymes have some zingers. 3.5.
Too many tracks. Album lasts over an hour, which is way too long. Also, too much foul language. Ice-T is a good rapper though.
It’s not bad and Ice T is a classic. But I’ve enjoyed some of the other hip hop/rap I’ve gotten more
Against me - white crosses
I love this album - listened to it repeatedly as a teen
Ice T is a budget Ice Cube, but this isn't as shite as i expected. suffered from the disease that all rap albums have of the stupid skit things where they always talk about how big their dig is and how much poontang they get but i'll let that slide as even they weren't as bad as ones i've previously suffered.
A little long, understand the impact but not hooked, might need another listen, do like the rock elements, however, esp. in Body Count No Saved Songs
got.damn! You got me sinkin' in quicksand!
Not really my genre, but Ice T is great.
Het schoolvoorbeeld van een rapalbum. Niets voor mij, maar voor liefhebbers waarschijnlijk fijn. Gestopt aan Midnight.
Absoluut mijn ding niet.
Toen rap nog gangsta was
Inte så bra 2/5
Like it better now than when I was 16. A fair number of great songs, but difficult going through the 1h12m in one go.
Not my genre but good album
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.
Some solid grooves.
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.
Yeah Ice can rap, he can write punk, he can play a mean cop.
Pimpin' ain't easy indeed.
Below is a list of the musical Ices in order of preference: 1. Ice Cube 2. Ice T 3. Vanilla Ice
I’m BACK with another one star score mother fuckers
fantastic old school hip-hop
Tiukkaa tykitystä länsirannikolta. Tää on varmaan nyt sitä gangsta räppiä. Ihan viihdyttävää kamaa, vaikka alkaakin toistaan itseään nopeasti.
Kunnon O.G. menoa. Tuli kerralla selväksi millainen gangsteri Ice T on ja minkälaista elämää hän ja hänen lähipiirinsä viettävät. Oli sen verran selkeää artikulaatiota ja leppoisa flow, että maalaushommien taustalla pystyi kuuntelemaan mitä miekkosella on sanottavaa. Ja olihan sinne sekaan rokkibiisikin mahtunut, pääsi yllättämään!
No es un disco terrible, pero no pinta nada en esta lista.
Proper hip hop. Enjoyed that.
Its not my Genre. Lyrically its enjoyable enough but there isn't much to make this stand out from the crowd and I am immensely bored by half way through 2/5
"I'll never go broke, I got property Got a dope pitbull named Felony" (Ziplock) "I got nothin to lose, much to gain, In my brain, I got a capitalist migraine." (New Jack Hustler) Ice T es un señor con mucho talento y muy bueno en lo suyo, pero también es el detective Odafin "Fin" Tutuola en Ley y Orden y no puedo pensar en otra cosa.
Easy to see that many were inspired by this. Its decent but sadly seems clichéd now
5
It's very interesting to listen to this album because it sounds like classical gangsta rap most of the time, but it's because it's is one of the classic albums of this style and inaugurated all of these classical characteristics. A great experience!
Hip-hop del de qué grande la tengo...
1991, gangsta rap, ich hab nix anderes erwartet, bissi zu lang, kann man sich anhören, stabil
Great one, very diverse although it is a bit long.
Rap isn't really my favorite thing to listen to, but its 90s rap so it isn't as bad
love that old school rap. good beats and doesn't get too indulgent with the skits.
Did not like
I liked it more toward the end. I was shocked by the heavy metal song.
Oh man, this album. i remember listening to this with my uncle Baldi outside during cookouts, or just hanging out when he was over at my grandma's. much like with NWA, i listened to it again later in life to understand it, and this is another album that was speaking more than just rap. the fact that it uses his own rock band in it, and is brilliantly composed, it's an instant include in any playlist.
I went into this thinking 2 stars, but I actually liked this quite a bit. 3 stars.
Glad I checked it out
not a good rapper
Its ok
The kind of music that makes you feel 1,000 feet tall. Wise, funny, self-referential and heavy.
Casi 5
Not a bad album, classic rap humor
Edelleenkään ei yhtään mun genre. NWA toimi vähän paremmin kuin tämä. Saman biisin looppausta alusta loppuun biisin teemojen muuttuessa marginaalisesti. Body Count oli mukavaa vaihtelua muuten niin harmaassa massassa.
Og
of its time but some good songs with some donkeys
2.5
Savage rhymes, hilarious and energising.
classic gangsta rap very well done
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.
Classic 90's rap, can't listen too right now since the house is full of kids
Mostly good. Some of the lyrics are ... Choice.
Not a huge fan of this album.
appreciate it
Really good. Very dense lyrically and 72mins is a lot of work. Never listened much as dismissed as west coast gangster bull shit but Ice T has a lot to say, on par with public enemy.
The music made me angry and the final not made me angrier. Reflects an entire way of life that I’m painfully ignorant to.
Oli jäänyt mielikuva, että Ice T olis ollut kovakin pläjäys. Turhan gangstaa ja keskinkertaisilla biiteillä joten vaisu kokonaisuus.
Best Ice-T project I’ve listened to, always thought of him as a lesser Eazy E (even tho he came first). I dig the body count stuff too
Ei lempparein miehen levyistä, mut nostalgiat heräsi. Bodycount saa aina adrenaliinin virtaamaan ja tsempin päälle. Hauska oli kuunnella pitkästä aikaa
some bangers, his flow is dated by modern standards but still brings some great bars