Spice 1

Spice 1 (born Robert L. Green, Jr. in Corsicana, Texas), is a West Coast rapper raised in Hayward, California. He was first discovered by rapper Too $hort. His first album, Let It Be Known, was not well-known or widely released, and included seven old-school style tracks. His second album, widely considered as his debut, was a very vivid and fatalistic Gangsta rap album, and his angry, edgy, and pessimistic rapping style and tone only added to the despair emanating from the disc. He followed it with an even more bitter and nihilistic release, 187 He Wrote in 1993, complete with simulated gunfire. In 1994 he released AmeriKKKa's Nightmare, which many people consider as the highlight of Spice 1's career. The album featured many well known rappers, such as 2Pac, E-40, and Method Man. Other releases included 1995's 1990-Sick and 1997's The Black Bossalini (aka Dr. Bomb From Da Bay). Immortalized followed two years later, and in the spring of 2000 Spice 1 returned with Last Dance and Playa Rich Project. A sequel to the latter brought him into 2002, while the Spiceberg Slim album came out that summer. Spice 1 was ranked number 56 in The Source magazine's Top 115 Hip-Hop Artists from 1988 - 2003. His most recent song is "Respect", a collabo with E-40 that appears on the latter's forthcoming album Hyphy Train.

Spice 1 has collaborated with many artist within and outside the Bay Area which include Yukmouth, C-Bo, UGK, Roger Troutman, Devin the Dude, Kokane, MC Eiht, Jayo Felony, 2Pac, Method Man, Redman, Kurupt, Dru Down, Shock G, Playalitical, Rappin' 4-Tay, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Too $hort, Eightball and MJG, E-40, B-Legit, Outlawz, Big Syke, Celly Cel, Goldie Loc, MC Breed, South Central Cartel, WC, RBL Posse, Mack 10, Livio, and Ice-T among many others.

It is a common misconception that Spice 1 is from Oakland, but he actually grew up in nearby Hayward, often referencing the city in many of his songs and giving shoutouts to various people from that neighborhood.

Jive Records (1991-1999)

Spice 1 managed to release six albums under Jive records along with one greatest hits album under Jive as well. It was reported by Jive that he has an album called "Full Metal Jacket", which was suppose to release under Jive. However, Spice 1 stated in many interviews that this information was false. It was something Jive wanted to push him into releasing, but he never agreed to do so. Therefore, the album was never released and it is uncertain whether or not songs for this album were used for future albums or if any songs were even recorded for this project.

While Spice 1 was signed to Jive, three of his albums reached Gold status. According to the RIAA, these albums were Spice 1, 187 He Wrote and AmeriKKKa's Nightmare. He continued to have success on later albums as well, though he never managed receive further certificates for selling over 500,000. Despite this he never changed his image, continuing to retain a gangster image throughout his career on Jive Records. The biggest song in his career was "Trigga Gots No Heart" from the Menace II Society Soundtrack. However, at the same time he released "Trigga Gots No Heart", which also served as a first single for his album, fellow rap artist MC Eiht also had a hit single from the Soundtrack which took the number one spot called "Streiht Up Menace". Leaving Spice 1 with the second best single off the soundtrack.

After 8 years, Spice 1 released his last album with the label, The Immortalized. Though it received good reviews, it was not well promoted and didn't sell as expected. According to Spice 1, he left Jive Records because they wanted him to clean up his image.

Life After Jive (2000 - Present)

In 2006, Spice 1 featured on Playalitical's 4th album "Code Green: Operation Take Over". The song, entitled "The New West", also features Duce Stabs, Luni Coleone, Young Droop and Spoke-N-Wordz. He now resides in Lynnwood and rooms with Domino while recording for Kop & Flip Records. One time at a Tech N9ne concert, Ryan "On A Mission" bought him a drink and got his phone number.

Spice 1 was recently featured on 2 songs on Daz Dillinger's new 2007 album Gangsta Party; the songs are "Start A Problem" and "Tell Me What U Want."

Discography

Albums

• 1991: Let It Be Known
• 1991: Dope Like A Pound Or A Key (187 Proof)
• 1992: Spice 1
• 1993: 187 He Wrote
• 1994: AmeriKKKa's Nightmare
• 1995: 1990-Sick
• 1997: The Black Bossalini (a.k.a. Dr. Bomb from Da Bay)
• 1999: Immortalized
• 2000: The Last Dance
• 2001: (collaboration with Celly Cel & Jayo Felony)
• 2002: Spiceberg Slim
• 2002: Thug Disease (Lovin' Paper Music)
• 2003: (collaboration with Bad Boy)
• 2004: The Ridah
• 2004: Pioneers (collaboration with MC Eiht)
• 2005: Dyin' 2 Ball
• 2005: The Truth
• 2006: Keep It Gangsta (collaboration with MC Eiht)
• 2006: (collaboration with Yukmouth & C-Bo)
• 2007: We Still Come Strapped (collaboration with MC Eiht)
• 2007: Return of a G
• 2007: Criminal Intent (collaboration with Jayo Felony)
• 2007: Thug Association

Compilations

• 1998: Hits
• 2000: The Playa Rich Project
• 2001: Hits, Vol. 2: Ganked & Gaffled
• 2002: The Playa Rich Project, Vol. 2
• 2002: Hits, Vol. 3
• 2004: Thug Disease (Rap Classics)
• 2005: The Thug In Me (Jive)
• 2005:
• 2006: Bossed Out

External links

• Spice 1 at MySpace

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