Flashblacks From The East 2

Kool Moe Dee - Little Jon
It's hard to name what one of Kool Moe Dee's albums is the best although 'How Ya Like Me Now' would definately be up there, but I'd probably go with his debut solo self titlted release. It has his two most famous tracks on it with 'Go See The Doctor' and 'Monster Crack' on it but it also has the dope 'Little Jon' track on it. It's the story of a guy who gets into the life of crime and ends up being just another number on the homicide victims list. It has good lyrics as you can expect from Moe Dee and great production. I'm surprised that this track didn't get as much props as the others. You have to give respect to this guy after drilling Busy Bee at Harlem World in '80 and being a huge part of one of the earliest groups to drop an album. Not to mention being half of one of the dopest battles ever with LL.

Doctor Ice - The Mic Stalker
As with the Kool Moe Dee album, Doctor Ice's 'Mic Stalker' is also on Jive records. Doctor Ice is a member of Flat Bush New Yorks U.T.F.O. Although this album isn't on the same level as a couple of U.T.F.O.'s albums like 'Doin It' (although burns the 'Lethal' album) it does have some nice tracks including 'Sue Me', 'Bass Up Bass Down' and my favourite, the title track 'The Mic Stalker' which is the track I've chucked up here for download. The entire album is produced by the Full Force but I guess if you're a U.T.F.O. fan that wont come as a surprise to you. It does miss the incredible scratching of Mix Master Ice. With a name like 'The Mic Stalker' you'd think it would be a more hardcore artist behind it.

D Nice - Time To Flow
This one's from the follow up to 'Call Me D Nice', 'D Nice To Tha Rescue'. The album itself is pretty sick with features from the Oakland pimp, Too $hort, KRS One and Naughty By Nature who appear on the track I have put up, 'Time To Flow'. It's probably the fastest paced track on the album and nine times out of ten thats what I'm looking for in a track. As I'm not a hardcore D Nice fan, other than the two albums I just mentioned he dropped and the verse on the 'Stop The Violence' anti drug and gang track, I don't really know a hell of a lot about what he got up to since this '91 album which by the way is also on Jive. With the help of Thirstin Howl III, I remember that there was his fight that Scott La Rock was trying to break up that D Nice was in that got Scott killed.

YZ - Crocodile Dundee
For some reason Anthony Depula, better known as Tony D who dropped that incredible 'Droppin Funky Verse' doesn't seem to really get the respect he deserves by alot of people. He has worked with artists like DJ Muggs, King Sun, Poor Rightous Teachers and of course this guy, YZ who dropped his E.P. in '91 after the 'Sons Of The Father' album was released a year earlier. It features 'When The Road Is Covered In Snow', 'Taggin It Up', 'Thinking Of A Master Plan Remix (Instrumental)', 'Mixel Plic Remix', 'Go Yz' and the track I put for download, 'Crocodile Dundee' which is my favourite track off this. It's in typical Tony D style who is also the guy that got an out of court settlement with fellow Jersey artists, Naughty By Nature who ganked a sample for the 'O.P.P.' hit way back in the early '90's.

Fat Boys - Rock Ruling
In days where commercial hip hop is all about some wack gimmick like a platnum grill in your teeth or bragging that you sat there while someone unloaded nine bullets into you etc, you have to look back to the good old days where your gimmick was a shell toe sneaker, a clock around your neck and in these guys case, being fat. Formally known as the Disco 3, love them or hate them, no one can deny that in the mid to late 80's they were at the forefront of east coast hip hop. Just look at the fact that they were in 'Krush Groove' and 'Disorderlies', sold millions of records and pretty much killed their own careers by doing tracks with Chubby Checker ('The Twist') and 'Wipe Out' with the Beach Boys. After this fad was over, so were they. Prince Markie Dee tried a solo career that went nowhere and of course the Human Beat Box, Buffy, died while entertaining friends. They definately left their mark in hip hop and I've put up 'Rock Ruling' from their 'Crushin' album for you to hear.

MP3's:
Kool Moe Dee - Little Jon
Doctor Ice - The Mic Stalker
D Nice (Ft. Naughty By Nature) - Time To Flow
YZ - Crocodile Dundee
Fat Boys - Rock Ruling
>> DOWNLOAD <<

Review: Section 8 Mob - Controlled Dangerous Substance

Artist: Section 8 Mob
Album: Controlled Dangerous Substance
Year: 1994
Label: Solar / Dark City Records



The Section 8 Mob hail from Washington D.C. and for this album the line up consisted of Po, Big E, Vibe and Chow. They came out in 1993 with the 'Then & Now' E.P. which was also released on Solar. After the E.P. release they then dropped this album, followed by 'No Love' in 1995 and then they signed a deal with Tommy Boy Records and dropped the 'Repercussions' single and the 'Guilty by Association' album in 1999. Section 8 Mob then went on to play their part in the release of the 2003 film which was also called 'Guilty by Association'. The movie, which starred Morgan Freeman, was co-written by Po, it also starred various Section 8 Mob members in supporting roles as well as featuring a host of the groups tracks in the soundtrack.

'Controlled Dangerous Substance' has 16 tracks and starts off in the same way many albums do, with an introduction simply labelled as 'Intro' which is just a bunch of shout outs. The album proper commences with weed inspired anthem 'Pass The Blunt'. Each of the Section 8 members and JB of Dirt Nation come through with impressive verses and with a repetative yet fitting hook this track is pretty sick. The short and pretty pointless 'Ghetto Hotline' skit is followed by 'Hustler'. As the title suggests this track is about hustling to make ends meet and then some, another quality effort from the group out of Washington D.C..



'Fuck You Nigga!' upholds the album standard as each of the rappers drop solid rhymes in their own distinct manners. The hook, as with other tracks on this album, is simply a gang of people reciting a repetitive catch cry. 'Murder Cap' has a ragga influenced hook and the rhymes are straight out gangsta, the track is about the murder capital of Washington D.C. The rhymes aren't highly creative but they are easy on the ears none the less, another track with a high level of listenability. 'Hard Or Shake I Need A 8th' is more of an extra-long skit in comparison to a proper track and therefore ruins the flow of the album, really not needed and forces the listener to reach for the skip button.

Thankfully the quality level rises with 'Family Affair', which is a stand out track on this album. The rhymes in this track are all on point and the transition between each of the emcee's rhymes are smoothe and this ensures the flow of the track is of an optimum standard. The only down side to this track filled with dope dealing rhymes is the fact it isn't as long as it could have been, oh well, quality over quantity. 'Only Momma' is a slower paced track dedicated to mothers. Not one of my favourite tracks but it serves its purpose well and shows the more emotional side to these rappers who you could other wise imagine as stone faced killers.



'Files Of A Gangster' sees Po and Chow drop some more laid back rhymes over another slower paced beat, this time reverting back to their gangsta laced rhymes. The theme of gangsterism is maintaned in 'Caught Up In The Section', a track featuring a host of rappers reppin' Section 8. The range of styles each of the rappers bring to the table makes this a mad track, the raw vibe this track has to it also makes it another of my favourites. 'Break Wide' is another sick gangster track, with samples of gunshots and police sirens featuring throughout. The content may be repetative but like with the South Central Cartel and numerous other artists, if something works for you then run with it.

'No Love' is a Po solo track that is significantly more thoughtful in comparison to the majority of the album. Po reflects on relationships, circumstances and the social environment he is surrounded by. Po puts forward the message that he's just a product of his environment, and as it has been noted in the past, this group, as with Ice Cube, choose to call their style reality rap, so this track fits in with that outlook. 'Ketchup On My Hotdog' is a sex track with a specific theme, without beating around the bush I'll just put it bluntly; it is about bangin' bitches while they're bleedin'. 'The Letter' and 'Three Ways Out' are two more respectable tracks that close out the album. The later, a story of coming up slanging drugs in Washington, especially impressed me.

The different rappers flows and styles throughout the album compliment each other well and in general the hooks are pretty cool so there is not much to be critical of. However, I can't ignore the fact that there are a few needless skits on this album that really should have been left out because they just interrupt the albums flow. Overall this is a fairy good album, by no means a classic but one that I chuck on from time to time and worth picking up if you are into gangsta rap and see it around the place.



MP3's:
Section 8 Mob - Fuck You Nigga!
Section 8 Mob - Family Affair
>> DOWNLOAD <<

Rating: 3 and a Half Daytons out of 5

Forza Azzurri!!!

Here are a few Italian hip hop tracks for download to celebrate our 4th World Cup title. Obviously these aren't gonna be a huge hit with most of you, but for the few Italians that check this shit out....... buon divertimento!!
****
MP3's:
Continuo Rilasso - Rilassato Nel Quartiere
Joe Cassano - Giorno E Notte
Flaminio Maphia - La Differenza
>>DOWNLOAD<<

Sir Mix-A-Lot B Side Vinyl Rips

A nice old trick alot of record labels do is release an album on wax with a track or two missing that are on the cd version and then chuck them on the B side of the single they're trying to push to make vinyl fiends buy the 12 for those dope tracks. Seattle's Nastymix Records use to do it a little different and release a 12 with unreleased tracks on the B side. They did it with Rodney O & Joe Cooley, Criminal Nation and of course, Sir Mix-A-Lot. Here are a few tracks we ripped off of some B Sides that don't appear on any Mix-A-Lot albums and also a couple of tracks off of the 'Baby Got Back' cd single.

These aren't second rate tracks not good enough to make the album, but dope cuts easily worthy of making any of his albums. Down the track we will be adding a few more oldschool early day Mix A Lot tracks including the "I'm A Trip" EP. But for now...Enjoy.



Sir Mix A Lot MP3's:
Players (B side to 'Beepers')
Society's Creation (B side to 'My Hooptie')
Flow Show (B side to 'I Got Game')
I Come Buffalo (B side to 'Sleepin Wit My Fonk')
Cake Boy (B side to 'Baby Got Back')
You Cant Slip (Ft. E-Dawg) (B side to 'Baby Got Back')
>>DOWNLOAD<<

Rock City Rhymes

In recent years Detroit has become the focus of a large portion of the hip hop community thanks to Eminem and his crew D12 as well as the likes of Slum Village. Although there is definately an elevated interest in the Detroit scene it can't be forgotten that artists have been putting the murder city on the map while Marshall Mathers was still snatching pills from under his mum's mattress. Detroit has played a highly influential role in the creation and development of music. Motown Records, the birth of Techno music and legendary rockers such as Kiss, amongst other things, have helped shape a unique landscape that provided fertile ground for rappers to come up from the rock city and make a mark on the hip hop scene.

Awesome Dre And The Hard Core Committee - Dogmatic

Awesome Dre and his Hard Core Committee returned in 1993 after already having left his mark on the Detroit scene with the 1989 album'You Can't Hold Me Back'. This time the Detroit originator and his crew were on Strictly Roots Records and dropped the album 'A.D's Revenge', which somewhat surprisingly was also released on pictured cover vinyl. Although not as good as the previous effort, this album is still an excellent release none the less. 'Dogmatic' showcases A.D's raw and no hold's barred approach to rapping that makes his music as enjoyable as it is. It's a shame that Awesome Dre never got the shine that he deserved but that is something that can be said for a lot of artists, at least the likes of ICP and Esham have shown him respect and shouted him out over the years.

Natas - Telly Savales

Very few artists have represented the D as well as this Acid Rap pioneering trio consisting of Esham the Unholy, Mastamind and TNT. The trio have been putting Detroit on the hip hop map for over a decade with a host of top draw group releases as well as solo projects. This track is off of the 'WWW.Com' album which Natas dropped in '99 on Gothom Over Core/TVT. The whole album is on a different level in comparison to anything I've heard before, production wise this futuristic sounding album oozes originality and the raps are out of this world at times as well. Hard to rank the groups albums as they are all quality for their own reasons but this album would certainly be near the top of the pile. Natas have always embodied the rock city sound and therefore they served as inspiration for the likes of Eminem and the Insane Clown Posse.

Detroit's Most Wanted - Pop The Trunk

When thinking about Detroit's hip hop scene DMW inevitably come to mind, the name certainly plays a part but their product speaks for itself. DMW have been around for quite a while and their hard yards have resulted in a rather extensive and respectable catalogue of releases. 'Pop The Tunk' is off of the group's 1992 Bryant Records/Ichiban release titled 'Tricks Of The Trades Vol II: The Money Is Made'. This track has a funky up-tempo feel to it while the lyrics are concise and straight to the point. These factors combined with some mad scratches and scattered samples ensure this track adequately does these pioneers justice.

Gank Move - Fuck You

With a name like Gank Move and a track titled 'Fuck You' it is fairly obvious that this D-Town duo weren't playing around when they dropped their 'Come Into My World' album in 1993 on Push Play Records. This track, although not ground-breaking, is pretty mad with both K.O. Kill and Young Bango dropping gangsta verses which are complimented with scratches courtesy of DJ Occie The Great and some nice sample selections (ie. Eazy E's "A little street wise nigga, ya know me"). I've got to admit that I really know nothing about these guys except for what I've heard on this album, which I bought off of ebay a while back because the name, cover and tracklisting grabbed my attention. The production could have been better as the audio clarity leaves alot to be desired but the rawness more than makes up for its short comings.

Inner City Posse - Ghetto Zone

Before Violent J and Shaggy 2 Dope became famous face painted entertainers for their work under the name Insane Clown Posse, the South West Detroit rappers were recording under the name Inner City Posse. In this time the group dropped the now highly requested 'Dog Beats' EP in 1991. 'Ghetto Zone' starts off with a sample from the classic gang movie 'Colors' before Violent J cuts in with his well delivered rhymes over a hard hitting beat. I love everything about this track, not in the least the classic oldschool "the cops just don't know what to do" Ice T sample which is used throughout the track. I've heard some more modern ICP stuff that I don't mind, but this is by far the best stuff I've ever heard out of their camp.

MP3's:
Awesome Dre And The Hard Core Committee - Dogmatic
Natas - Telly Savales
Detroit's Most Wanted - Pop The Trunk
Gank Move - Fuck You
Inner City Posse - Ghetto Zone
>> DOWNLOAD <<

DJ Sum1 - Clinic 116 Hip Hop Promo Mixtape

..::Battlehoggs Presents::..

...:::DJ Sum-1:::...
...:::Clinic 116 Promo Mixtape:::...



...:::Tracklisting:::...
1. DJ Sum 1 - Intro (Live Battle Routine)
2. Pegz & Debaser - Both Sides Of The Map
3. Main Flow & Black Thought - U Got 2
4. J. Zone, J. Love, JJ Brown, Louis Logic & Celph Titled - Open Mic
5. Pohetikut - Exclusive Flow
6. Rick Piramid - Exclusive Flow
7. Lazy Grey - (Tiger Print Remix)
8. Lyrical Commission - Sink Quick
9. Big Foot & Tornts - Put It Down
10. Dj Kansel - Battlehogg Combat Training
11. Kolaps & Blockade - Exclusive Flow
12. Skinny Man - No Big Ting
13. C Rayz Walls - We Live
14. Prophetix - Gotcha
15. Odd Couple - Beat Your Ass
16. Reason, Pegz & Lazy Grey - Fatter Pt. 2
17. MR Trials - Bottle Shop (Battlehogg Exclusive)
18. Patti - Effusive Exclusive
19. Skinny Man & Mentat - When I Give My Heart To You
20. A Trak & Dipset - Don't Fool With The Dips
21. Part Time Martyers - Simplistic Visions
22. Soul Position - Printmatic
23. Esoteric, King Size & Vinnie Paz - Blitz Inc
24. Breeze Evaflowin, Akrobatik, Chan & Facts 1 - Grown Men
25. Conseps (Effusive Exclusive) - Brain Dump
26. Demigodz & Lord Digga - Way Of The Gun
27. Sage Francis, Brother Ali & Slug - Doomage
28. DJ Sum 1 - Skratch Undaneath Tha Surface

>> DOWNLOAD <<

Rollin' With The Posse

Hip Hop has some pretty crazy posse tracks over the years from Marley Marls 'Symphony' tracks to Rhyme Syndicates, Rap-A-Lots, Night Breeds etc etc. Every now and then we'll post up three of our favourites over the years.

I can't do this without starting off with one of the sickest posse tracks of all time, it's the notorious 'Bring It On' off of the Geto Boys 'Till Death Do Us Part' album off Rap-A-Lot in '93 that had Big Mike who previously was in the Convicts with 3-2 and also released 'Somethin Serious' before joining the roster instead of Willie D. Other than the Geto Boys themselves this also features 2 Low, 3-2, Too Much Trouble, DMG, Ganksta NIP, The 5th Ward Boys, Odd Squad and the late Seagram and Big Mello. I'm sure most of you would already have heard this track a hundred times and will agree that they go hard as fuck from the start to finish. This is how a posse track should go.


Secondly, I've chosen 'The Last Song' off of Above The Law's 'Livin Like Hustlers' album that was released on Ruthless in '90. The name doesn't exactly grab you but i'm sure the beat a dope skills on the mic will. Not quite on the same standards of 'Grand Finale' off of the DOC's 'No One Can Do It Better' but is still def. It features Eazy E, MC Ren as well as Dr Dre and will make you remenisce over the old days of Ruthless.


Last of all, I have to end this with an old New York classic. Marley Marl's 'The Symphony'that features Masta Ace, Craig G, Kool G Rap and Big Daddy Kane from the oldschool classic 'Cold Chillin' label that pretty much ran the New York hip hop game back in the late '80's and is responsible for some crazy albums. No doubt this and also the 'Symphony Pt II' have inspired many posse tracks since.


MP3's:
Geto Boys ft. Rap-A-Lot Roster -Bring It On
Above The Law ft. N.W.A. - The Last Song
Marley Marl ft. Cold Chillin Roster - The Symphony
>> DOWNLOAD <<

South Park Mexican - When Devils Strike

Houston's South Park Mexican (Co-founder of Dope House Records) returns with his much anticipated new album 'When Devils Strike' . The album is set to drop on October the 3rd 2006 and will feature artists such as Juan Gotti, Twin Beredaz, Powda and more and will come with a free second screwed and chopped version of the album courtesy of Michael Watts of the Swisha House.

For more information on this release go to Dope House Records website and SPM's Myspace page that is being run by his brother Arthur. Here is the album sampler (in MP3 format) that goes for over 27 minutes that has Carlos introducing the snippets of the tracks and also features an interview with him.



>> DOWNLOAD <<

Insane Poetry Vinyl Rips

After all this time thanks to Afects I can finally get all my favourite remixes, 'b' sides and unreleased cd tracks off of my vinyl ripped to mp3 format. Afects got himself the equptment to rip 'em so I lent him a stack of my wax and over the next couple of months I'll be chucking most of them on here.

I'm gonna start off with one of my favourite artists, Insane Poetry. Before Psycho's (Cyco) group was called 'Insane Poetry' they were known as Chicago outfit 'His Majesti' this was back when Shakespere The One Man Riot was a part of the group and released a 3 track E.P. vinyl titled 'The M.M.O.B. Is Loose' that featured 'Armed & Dangerous', 'M.M.O.B. Style Chronicles' and 'Slow & Ill' that have all been ripped as well as a track called 'Get Down With The Lyrical Strangla' which was released as the B side to Rodney O & Joe Cooley's 'Get Ready To Roll 12". After Rodney O & Joe Cooley released the 'Get Ready To Roll' album, General Jeff left them. After that they released a 12" that featured a 'Lets Do It Like This' remix and a 'You Dont Wanna Run Up' remix that has Psycho replacing General Jeff . This track is probably the best remix I've ever heard. I also put up '12 Strokes Till Midnight' which is an old Insane Poetry track I got a few years back.

I have another few Insane Poetry vinyl rips that I'll probably put up down the track. Hopefully you enjoy these ones.



MP3's:
His Majesti - Armed & Dangerous
His Majesti - M.M.O.B. Style Chronicles
His Majesti - Slow & Ill
Insane Poetry - 12 Strokes Till Midnight
Insane Poetry - Get Down With The Lyrical Strangla
Rodney O & Joe Cooley (ft Insane Poetry) - You Don't Wanna Run Up REMIX
>>DOWNLOAD<<

Review: South Central Cartel - 'N Gatz We Truss

Artist: South Central Cartel
Album: 'N Gatz We Truss
Year: 1994
Label: G.W.K. Records

Before I start reviewing this I have to be honest, this is going to have alot of favouritism because of memories listening to it when it came out. That mixed with the fact I just got dusted and enjoy my beats twice as much like this. Anyway, this is S.C.C.'s second album after previously releasing the incredible 'South Central Madness' in 1992. The cartel consisted of Havikk (The Rhime Son), Havoc (The Mouth Piece), Pro`deje , DJ Gripp, DJ Kaos #1 and harmonious LV who later got his fame featuring on Coolio's 'Gangstas Paradise' in '96.

The album starts off with a little Intro that continues into 'Bring It On' that has an addictive beat with what you expect from the SCC; impeccable smooth flows. The next track, 'Drive Bye Homicide' starts with Havoc The Mouthpiece on the phone organizing a hit before the rhymes immediately start. The break gas a nice flute style tune behind some cut up gangsta samples. 'Servin' Em Heat' starts off the same way as most SCC tracks, with instant rhymes from the get go, over the top of a dope beat. That is not the only that is the same, the subject matter doesn't change much either. Next up is 'Gang Stories' which is a slightly slower paced and more eerie styled track where the Cartel's members all go through short gangsta stories and like with the previous tracks the hooks are sampled.

An LV (who is responsible for several SCC hooks) introduction starts 'Seventeen Swtiches', a pretty deff track which has different styled flows than are heard on the album prior to this. LV kicks off 'U Couldn't Deal Wit Dis' briefly before Havikk takes control before busts back in with his singy hooks. Although he has got a great voice, hooks of this style aren't my thing. This track is all about women and honestly it has to be said that they don't really say anything on the topic that hasn't already been heard on on a couple of hundred other tracks, definately the worst track on the album up to this point. 'Do It S.C. Style' gets the album back where it was with dope rhymes and the NWA "Damn that shit was dope" sample being cut up in the background. Track 8 is just a skit called 'Dick Sucking Contest' which is a bit of a waiste.

'Had To Be Loc'd' is yet another mad S.C.C. gangsta track. Dope beat, dope rhymes, check the mp3. This is followed up by 'Little Nucklehead' and right on cue the raps start instantly. The track's pretty sick, but by this time in the album they have set some pretty high standards to live up to and this one isn't quite up on par with some of the previous tracks, and it doesn't go for too long either. Next is 'It's A S.C.C. Thang' is pretty good with a pretty def L.V. "Watch your back because we're moving in slow" hook. 'Stay Out Da Hood' is good but is out shined by 'Rollin Down Da Block' that's up next, because of the crazy flows.

'Get Em' comes on next and although the track is still sick, they swear way too much. They probably say "fuck" more in this track than in the entire 'Menace II Society' film. It's perfect ammination for all those "gangsta rap" haters that share the earth with us when they ramble on about the genre just being a bunch of swearing and murders, oh well, fuck 'em. The posse track 'Gangsta Team' that other than the S.C.C. boys, it also features 2 Pac, Ice T, MC Eiht and then finished off by East O's, Spice 1. This is followed by 'Shot Outz' whish is obviously just a shout out track and then two bonus tracks that dont feature on the vinyl version. The first being
'Marinate' and the other 'Hoo Riding In Da Central' which is def.

Overall, this album is crazy, although looking at from an outsiders point of view it's probablynot a complete album because from the start to the finish the whole album doesn't branch out from the shoot-em-up styled lyrics. Lucky for me I'm not too hard on rap albums and look at like, if you can do something that good then keep doing it. I love all the hard gangsta rhymes when they're rapped by real g's like these and not some emcee playing dress up. This is another hard album to choose the mp3's for.

MP3's:
South Central Cartel - Bring It On
South Central Cartel - Had To Be Loc'd
South Central Cartel - Rollin' Down Da Block
>>DOWNLOAD<<

Rating: 4 Daytons out of 5

R.I.P. Crazy Rak

Rest In Peace:
Crazy Rak


Real Name: Unknown
Hailing From: Born in New York, moved to San Francisco CA
Born: Unknown
Died: January 1998
Cause Of Death: Killed in a fire at a hotel

Albums:
Rondo & Crazy Rak - The Abused (1994)
*Was Too Shorts DJ and producer back in the day

MP3's:
Rondo & Crazy Rak - Badge Wearing Bitch
Rondo & Crazy Rak -Bacon & Grits
>>DOWNLOAD<<

No Radio, No Sellout

One of the old schoolest rappers out there today still on top of his game would have to be Ice T. He was there right at the beginning of west coast hip hop before "gangsta" rap even started. He appeared in the classic documentary 'Breakin' N' Enterin' in 1983 where he used to be in the Radio Crew and rap at the 'RadioTron' where he was performing old classics like 'Body Rock' and F.Y.I. he used to get down on the floor with some nice commando style break moves. Without going into all the bullshit of how he got his break that you can find printed in the paper work of 'The Classic Collection' he got his little part in the more known 'Breakin' and released some 12's like 'The Coldest Rap', 'Cold Wind Madness', 'Reckless' and 'Killers' on various labels like 'Techno Hop' and 'Saturn' in the very early 80's.

In about 85' or 86' Philadelphian, Schoolly D dropped 'P.S.K.', Ice heard it, loved it and recorded '6 In The Mornin' as his west coast version. Hip hop has never been the same since because these tracks made a young Eric Wright decide to use his crack cash to start 'Ruthless' and N.W.A. which is why gangsta rap is what it is today.With Ice dropping gold record after gold record with all his classic early releases with production by Islam, Ice has always stayed ahead of the game by becoming pretty much the first rap artist to become an actor, the first rapper to write a book,as far as I know the first rapper to start a metal group. When it comes down to soundtracks, he has the main theme song from movies like New Jack City, SuperFly, Colors, Ricochet, Dick Tracy, Tresspass and has featured on plenty of others.Up until now Ice T has released 8 solo albums, his Body Count albums and the group album with Smoothe Da Hustla and Trigga Da Gambla 'S.M.G.' and is soon to drop another solo when 'Gangsta Rap' comes out later in the year.

Ice T has also been responsible for countless other artists careers when he started the west coast version of the Zulu Nation with his 'Rhyme Syndicate' posse. People have dissed Ice T in recent years saying he's a sell out because of his acting career and especially for playing a cop in 'Law & Order S.V.U'. Up until recently I always argued the point that he was acting since '84, and the S.V.U. shit was just a role, which is what I still think, however this new 'Rap School' thing he's got going now is gonna be pretty hard for his biggest fan to stick up for. Having said that though I won't be dissing him any time soon because all his music he's dropped until now as well as the few tracks I've heard off his upcoming 'Gangsta Rap' album are underground dope gangsta rhymes. So, until his music changes, which I can't see happening, I'll be buying anything he drops.

Here are a few artists giving some respect to Ice in some homage tracks. The first is by Mitchy Slick from Strong Arm Steady from his 'Mitchy Duz It' dedication album, which features his '6 In The Morning' track, the next one is by Memphis Oscar winners Three 6 Mafia with their '3-6 In The Morning' and lastly a 'Colors' dedication by Lil' C Style, Legacy, Tray-D, RBX and Daz from the '19th St LBC Compilation'. I have also chucked on a couple of Ice T tracks, one from the oldschool days and a dope track from his 96' 'Return Of The Real' album. I'll always give respect to Ice because all his fans know what they're getting from an Ice T track and if you ever see him on a documentary talking, he's not rambling on about shit, just says it the way it is in his mind. This wasn't even close to a biography of Tracy 'Ice T' Marrow, if it was it would be about twenty times longer.

MP3's:
Ice T - Reckless
Lil' C Style, Legacy, Tray-D, RBX ft Daz - Bustaz
Three 6 Mafia - 3-6 In The Morning
Mitchy Slick - 6 In The Morning
Ice T - The Lane
>>DOWNLOAD<<




HHC Feb '93