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.
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.”
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…”
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…”
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