Ice-T Gangsta Rap CD

Personnel: Ted Birkey (keyboards).
Recording information: 14the Street Music Works; Silent Sound.
Photographer: Steve Vacariello.
Unknown Contributor Role: Mickey Benzo.
Calling an album GANGSTA RAP might seem like an absurd platitude coming from any rapper other than Ice-T, the undisputed originator of the genre. Ice takes time off from his acting gig on LAW & ORDER: SVU to douse listeners with a potent shot of classic ghetto storytelling and explicit recaps of O.G. sexcapades. With a host of guests (including wife Coco) and a solid boom-bap production style dusted with the requisite g-funk flourishes, Ice-T takes the nearly-self-parodying thug posturing so prevalent in 21st century hip-hop, and reminds listeners who invented the pose and why it was so deadly in the first place.
Ice-T's first solo rap CD since 1999's 7th Deadly Sin is a mixed bag. Lyrically, the Iceberg hasn't changed much. He's still hard -- much harder than you'd expect a VH-1 regular to be -- and he's still uncompromising with the language and his attitude towards women (ladies, unless you want to learn how to go from "ho" to "pro," avoid this album). The word-filled and moving "Dear God Can You Hear Me" displays some growth and on "New Life" he sounds suitably reborn. "My Baby" is a worthy sequel to the nasty "Girls L.G.B.N.A.F." from his 1988 album Power and the fascinating beat laid on "Pray" is as icy cold as the lyrics. Problem is, "Pray" is the only time the production is excellent and the B-list beatmakers rounded up for Ice-T's comeback seem much less enthused than they should be. T's protégés and guest stars aren't that gripping either and you'd think the Bush Jr. years would set the man on fire. Instead, he macks on about money, ho's, and the game for 16 tracks, and with no sweet beat to latch onto, the results are numbing. If you've been pining for the stripped-down, ball to you fall attitude of his debut, go for it. Otherwise, this is a hardcore fan's album, and a spotty one at that. ~ David Jeffries