Spice 1 is the debut studio album by American rapper Spice 1. It was released on 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.[ Spice 1 Billboard Albums]. All Media Guide, LLC. Retrieved on January 10, 2010. 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.[ Spice 1 Billboard Singles]. All Media Guide, LLC. Retrieved on January 10, 2010.
Along with singles, music videos were produced for four songs: "In My Neighborhood",Spice 1 - "In My Neighborhood" (official video). YouTube. Retrieved on February 4, 2010. "Welcome to the Ghetto",Spice 1 - "Welcome to the Ghetto" (official video). YouTube. Retrieved on February 4, 2010. "187 Proof"Spice 1 - "187 Proof" (official video). YouTube. Retrieved on February 4, 2010. and "East Bay Gangsta".Spice 1 - "East Bay Gangsta" (official video). YouTube. Retrieved on February 4, 2010. 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.
Critical reception
Entertainment Weekly (7/24/92, p. 60) - "...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..." AllMusic - "...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." The album was included in The Sources 100 greatest hip hop albums.
Track listing
Samples Welcome to the Ghetto "Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler)" by Marvin Gaye "No One's Gonna Love You" by the S.O.S. Band 187 Pure "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" by Bob James City Streets "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" by the Dramatics F***ed in the Game "Make Me Believe in You" by Curtis Mayfield In My Neighborhood "Reach for It" by George Duke Money Gone "Time for a Change" by Mel Brown Money or Murder "Joy by Isaac Hayes Peace to My Nine "One Nation Under a Groove" by Funkadelic Young N**** "Mothership Connection (Star Child)" by Parliament "Us" by Ice Cube
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.
Charts
Weekly charts Chart (1992) Peak position US Billboard 200 (Billboard) 82 US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 14
Year-end charts Chart (1992) Position US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard) 35
Certifications
References
External links Spice 1 at Discogs Spice 1 at MusicBrainz Spice 1 at Tower Records