When I first went to high school, I remember I’d memorized the entire intro to Rhyme Pays and would recite it to pretty girls for reasons which now escape me. Let’s just say it was a simpler time. Ice-T‘s first four albums combined humor, slick talk and social commentary in a way which set him apart from the competition and allowed fans to overlook that fucked-up ponytail. Here’s a collection of remixes, b-sides and essential album cuts from everyone’s favorite Law & Order: SVU detective.
Download: A Salute To Ice-T [re-upped]
Track listing:
01 ‘Power’ [Remix]
02 ‘Squeeze The Trigger’
03 ‘You Played Yourself’ [Remix]
04 ‘6 In The Mornin” [Original Version]
05 ‘Drama’ [Hi-Tech Mix]
06 ‘Rhyme Syndicate’
07 ‘Our Most Requested Record’ [Long Version]
08 ‘Colors’ [J-Zone Remix]
09 ‘The Iceberg’
10 ‘Lifestyles of the Rich and Infamous’ [Remix]
11 ‘Reckless’
12 ‘Mind Over Matter’ [Remix]
13 ‘Peel Their Caps Back’
14 ‘Addicted to Danger’ [Nut Shop Remix]
15 ‘Lost In A Freestyle’
16 ‘The Coldest Rap’
17 ‘Soul On Ice’
Bonus: An unreleased, early take of what would later become ‘The Coldest Rap.’
The older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve come to appreciate Ice-T. Never thought he was wack but I never really checked for him like that. Listening to his old joints now, dude came off realer than the cartoonish antics of NWA. Dude’s a straight legend…
First ever LP I bought was ‘Freedom Of Speech’, listened to it over & over & studied the inner sleeve collage of photos for ages, as my hip hop knowledge grew so did my ability to recognise more of the people on it, my favourite track on that album was always ‘The Hunted Child’ should have included that Rob, otherwise props.
Ice is the truth. It’s shocking how underrated as a lyricist he is. His verses are consistently well written, at times brilliant. Great conceptual mind. And the man knows how to write songs.
My first Ice T album was Power for obvious reasons. The OG album was his magnum opus imo. Always had the dope covers and credits to look at. Icon.
Reckless is a real throwback and a real favourite.
Ya Don’t Quit and Dog’n’the wax also. Rhyme Pays is a wicked album, Power tops it.
Can’t recall the name but that documentary he filmed a lil while back, featured many legends who showed Ice a huge amount of respect.
Well executed and deserved salute Robbie.
Where’s Eric Sadler pt II? :-)
Robbie, are you whetting our appetites for an Ice T interview? Hopefully Afrika Islam hooked you up when you spoke to him as he was on his way to Ice’s crib. I guess we’ll find out…
Oh, and @ SeanG, I am sure you are talking about Ice’s film “The Art of Rap.” Definitely a must see for hip hop fans.
Ice was on a roll between Colors and New Jack Hustler all the way up to Body Count.
He was getting love in Boston where I was from. If there was ever any coastal bias, Ice T didn’t get any hate.
a well deserved salute. power and the og lp’s are top notch, kinda lost it after home invasion (which has a few joints) but is always one of the best west coast dudes ever.
High Rollers was always a favorite of mine… T is somewhat underrated as an MC. He wasn’t a big lyrical-miracle-hysterical guy, but he could spin a story.
ICE TEE Is one of my HIP-HOP Heroes and truly one of the Best to ever do it. Rhyme Pays, Power, Iceberg, OG, Home Invasion… If you say your HIP-HOP and don’t like Ice Tee please Kill yourself we don’t need you!!! Salute Ice!!!!!
Thanks for shining light on this legend Robbie. Gonna have to go back through my box of high speed dubbed tapes to listen to these albums again.
Funny as a kid I always viewed him as being the essence of LA rap but recently reading the Donald d and afrika Islam interviews you see how much of a role new York had in forming him / his sound. I kinda took that for granted.
@onearm: They definitely helped point him in the right direction, otherwise he might have still been rapping over electro for another five years.
True.
Other thing. .. We all must be maturing finally. An article on old school ice T. 13 comments in and no mention of Darlene. Oh Darlene!
Oh Darlene indeed. Whatta woman, can’t believe Ice binned her for that barbie doll bird he’s with now, much as I love the (former) mulleted mic molester, he was punching well above his weight when he hooked up with Darlene!
100% agreed sonny7.
That’s why I said my first Ice T album was Power. For Darlene fine ass.
Ah word…. Other thanthe DamnIce had the winning communication
Epic post fail.
meant to say other than the Damn mullet/ponytail ice had the winning combination.
Dope voice. Slick rhymes- inspired by the pimp tales /la gang / crime culture. Dope beats – helped out by afrika Islam. And Darlene on the record cover so no one was just browsing past it in the store.
Also the connections. .. Co signed by Zulu nation, Chuck d, ice cube, Krs One etc.