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- "Inner City Blues " by Marvin Gaye
- "No One's Gonna Love You" by The S.O.S. Band
- "Take Me to the Mardi Gras" by Bob James
- "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" by The Dramatics
- "Make Me Believe in You" by Curtis Mayfield
- "Reach for It" by George Duke
- "Time for a Change" by Mel Brown
- "Joy by Isaac Hayes
- "One Nation Under a Groove" by Funkadelic
- "Mothership Connection " by Parliament
- "Us" by Ice Cube
Chart history
;AlbumChart | Peak position |
U.S. Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums | 14 |
U.S. Billboard Top Heatseekers | 82 |
;RIAA Certification
Certifacation | Country | Sales |
Gold | USA | 658,000 |