Maps of Music

Gangsta Rap (2006)

Where the lyrics of Gangsta Rap take you, and where it was really made.

Before release, several record companies wanted to censor the album cover, which shows Ice-T and his wife naked in bed.

Key places

Recorded at Silent Sound Studios, Atlanta (2006)

Recording site DARP Studios (Atlanta) — Listed as a recording location for Gangsta Rap. The point sits at Atlanta city center, not the exact studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Recorded at Henry Street Music, Brooklyn (2006)

Recording site Rough Customer — Listed as a recording location for Gangsta Rap. The point sits at Brooklyn city center, not the exact studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Gangsta Rap is the eighth studio album by American rapper Ice-T.
• Released October 31, 2006 via Melee Entertainment.
• Sixteen tracks with a total running time of 66:51.
• Several producers worked on the album, including Alonzo "Justice" Williams, Ariel Caban, DJ Ace, Grand Daddy I.U., Mad Rome, Marc Live, and Mayor.
• LaVaba Mallison served as executive producer.
• Guest appearances come from Smoothe da Hustler, DV Alias Kryst, Fedie Demarco, Marc Live, Trigga tha Gambler, Corte, and Coco.

Background

• The album was in production with several record producers before its release.
• While shopping for a record deal, several record companies pushed to censor the album cover.
• The personnel credits list Tracy Lauren Marrow as main artist and model.
• Nicole Natalie Marrow Austin is credited as a featured artist on track 7 and as a model.
• Tracks feature multiple guest rappers, with Smoothe da Hustler, DV Alias Kryst, and Marc Live appearing on several songs.
• Mike Regen is credited for marketing and Jorge Hinojosa for management.

Recording

• Recording took place at Silent Sound Studios in Atlanta and Henry Street Music in Brooklyn.
• Engineering was handled by Hernan Santiago and Taurez.
• Tony Dawsey did the mastering.

Cover

• The cover depicts Ice-T and his wife Nicole "Coco" Austin naked in bed.
• Several record companies wanted the cover censored during the search for a deal.
• Steve Vaccariello is credited for photography.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Tracy Lauren Marrow (born February 16, 1958), known as Ice-T, is an American rapper and actor active in both hip-hop and heavy metal.
• Began as an underground rapper in the 1980s; signed to Sire Records in 1987 and released debut album Rhyme Pays.
• Founded Rhyme $yndicate Records in 1988; Power (1988) is his only platinum-certified album from the RIAA.
• Co-founded heavy metal band Body Count in 1990; the self-titled debut came out in 1992.
• The controversy over "Cop Killer" led to his departure from Warner Bros. Records; Home Invasion was released via Priority Records.
• Has played Odafin "Fin" Tutuola on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit since 2000.
• Won a Grammy for "Back on the Block" and, with Body Count, the Best Metal Performance Grammy in 2021.
• Released the album Criminal Migraine in 2026.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Allmusic gave the album two and a half stars out of five.
• Reviewer David Jeffries described it as a mixed product.
• Jeffries called it Ice-T's first solo rap CD since 7th Deadly Sin in 1999.
• Jeffries wrote that the lyrics do not change much.
• Jeffries said the album is still hard, too hard even compared with what a normal VH-1 program should be.
• Jeffries said the album remains incompatible with the language and behavior toward women.
• The album was released October 31, 2006 via Melee Entertainment.
• It has sixteen tracks with a total running time of 66:51.
• Guest appearances on the album include Smoothe da Hustler, DV Alias Kryst, Marc Live, and Trigga tha Gambler.

Sources: it.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• Before release, several record companies wanted to censor the album cover, which shows Ice-T and his wife naked in bed.
• The track list includes "Pray", featuring Coco, which runs 2:50.
• The album includes a long run of guest appearances, with Coco credited on the track list.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · it.wikipedia.org

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