38. O.G. Original Gangster - Ice - T 1991
Although an already established genre, Gangsta Rap was yet to deliver a truly definitive record. Step up, Ice - T (Tracy Marrow) who was born in New Jersey and moved to South Central Los Angeles when in 8th grade to live with an aunt after his parents had died a few years apart, both from heart attacks. Ice-T pretty much, single-handedly invented the Hip-Hop sub-genre that came to be known as Gangsta Rap with his early song '6 in the Morning' that told tales of his affiliation to the LA gang, the Crips. Unlike many Rappers who fabricate stories of violence and crime, Marrow lived it. He sold drugs and stole car stereos before enlisting for four years service in the army. He learned how to pimp when stationed in Hawaii, where prostitution was largely ignored by the authorities. Upon leaving the forces he robbed banks and jewelry stores. One comment he made regarding his life of crime at the time was "only punks go for the drawers, we gotta go for the safe!" After a particularly severe car accident, Ice-T decided to pursue his hobby of rapping, in a professional capacity. He signed to Sire records and released three albums that sold well and exponentially. O.G. then arrived and blew the doors off and found its way into the bedroom of many a suburban, white adolescent. Because of its hard hitting nature, both musically and thematically, it became the Hip-Hop album of choice for Alternative Rock and Heavy Metal fans. Often, Ice-T was finding himself on rock festival bills and seeing a influx of white people at his own shows. As his cousin, Earl, was heavily into the likes of Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin and Judas Priest, the rapper had a fondness for Heavy Metal himself, even forming his own Thrash Metal band called Bodycount, whose first, self-titled song is found within the track listing of this album. One of the better known tracks from 'O.G.', is 'New Jack Hustler', which was featured in the movie, 'New Jack City', which features Wesley Snipes and Ice, himself, playing an undercover cop trying to bring down drug lord, Nino Brown, played by Snipes. 'Midnight', is one of the darkest, hardest and most explicit accounts of a night in the life of a Gangster in South Central L.A. Using the guitar riff from Black Sabbath's self-titled track and pumping drum beat. The track is an updated version of '6 in the Morning', and is a chilling 6 minutes. 'Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous', is a fast paced, and brutally honest tale to what life is like being an in-demand Rap star at the height of fame, and dealing with tour life. Always one to help aspiring artists, Ice had an entourage of Rappers, Producers and DJ's that he dubbed, The Rhyme Syndicate. Two of the most promising talents in his crew were Nat the Cat and Donald D, who enjoyed success in their own right. On 'Fly By', Ice goes freestyle and, gives the fore-mentioned MC's a verse each to display their talents. 'The Tower', is a stark warning about how grim and dangerous prisons in the U.S. can be. Using a sample of John Carpenters theme for the Horror movie, 'Halloween', the ominous feeling of the track is heightened by the creepy piano line. Segments of real life prisoners' stories from inside act as a strong deterrent to a life of crime. Ice - T says he didn't invent Gangsta Rap, he insists he invented, "Reality Rap". He tried to write about good times and parties, as his heroes before him would do, but he couldn't make it sound real. He needed to talk about life as he was experiencing it, and as a result, he broke the mainstream and found respect among black kids from the ghetto and A - list Hollywood stars, alike. After this record the likes of Ice Cube, Dr Dre, Naughty By Nature, Onyx and a whole host of others enjoyed success on a scale they wouldn't have without this release paving the way.