Spice 1 (album)


Spice 1 is the self-titled debut album by American rapper Spice 1, released April 14, 1992 on Jive Records. It was certified gold by the RIAA.The album was produced by Ant Banks, Blackjack, E-A-Ski & CMT and Spice 1. It peaked at number 14 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 82 on the Billboard Top Heatseekers. One single, "Welcome to the Ghetto", peaked at number 39 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and at number 5 on the Billboard Rap Songs.
Along with singles, music videos were produced for four songs: "In My Neighborhood", "Welcome to the Ghetto", "187 Proof" and "East Bay Gangsta". Richie Rich makes a cameo appearance in "Welcome to the Ghetto". "East Bay Gangsta" and "Welcome to the Ghetto" were B-sides on the other singles. The album was included in the Source Magazine's 100 greatest hip hop albums.

Critical reception

- "...His style, an appropriate mix of irony, disdain, acceptance and confusion, never succumbs to the situation or seeks to justify or downplay the sense of impending doom."
Entertainment Weekly - "...Spice 1's lyrics are clever enough to make you forget you've heard it all before...his tales unfold with the drama of short stories..."
iTunes Store - "...with a large serving of gunplay and ghetto storytelling. Spice's unique vocal style showcased an uncanny ability to twist and contort his flow...the bass-heavy beats still knock with authority, ideal for bumping in the scraper..."

Track listing

Samples

Welcome to the Ghetto
187 Pure
City Streets
F***ed in the Game
In My Neighborhood
Money Gone
Money or Murder
Peace to My Nine
Young N****
Note: The sample credits contain a disclaimer from George Clinton disparaging the lyrical content of the song, yet stating the sample was allowed due to the message of music as a free agent of change inherent in "Mothership Connection." This type of note was uncommon for most artists who were sampling.

Chart history

;Album
Chart Peak
position
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums14
U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers82

;RIAA Certification
CertifacationCountrySales
GoldUSA658,000