Maps of Music

Ice-T VI: Return of the Real (1996)

Where the lyrics of Ice-T VI: Return of the Real take you, and where it was really made.

The title borrows from a Star Wars sequel, and the "VI" simply means it is his sixth album.

Key places

Recorded and mixed at the Crackhouse, Los Angeles (1996)

Recording site Motown Recording Studios — Most songs on the album were recorded and mixed at the Crackhouse in Los Angeles. The point is placed at city-centre level, not at the building itself. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Where the Shit Goes Down recorded in Oakland (1996)

Recording site Studio 880 — The track Where the Shit Goes Down was recorded and mixed at The Archive, a division of E&C Recordings. The point is placed at city-centre level in Oakland. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

Ice-T VI: Return of the Real is the sixth studio album by American rapper Ice-T
Released June 4, 1996 via Rhyme $yndicate/Priority Records
Title plays on words with the film Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi, with "VI" referring to it being his sixth album
21 tracks, total running time 73:15
Production by several producers: Aquel, Big Rich, DJ Ace, Dre MC, E-A-Ski, Hen-Gee, Mad Rome, San Man, SLJ, Trials of Flowalistics, and Ice-T himself

Background

Guest appearances from Hot Dolla, Powerlord JEL, Mr. Wesside, Godfather of Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., Sean E. Sean of Body Count, Deft Saplin, K-Wiz Spurt, and Angela Rollins
An unused demo from the sessions, "Here I Go Again", was later re-recorded by Ice-T with Body Count for Bloodlust

Recording

All songs except one were recorded and mixed at the Crackhouse in Los Angeles
"Where The Shit Goes Down" was recorded and mixed at The Archive, a division of E&C Recordings in Oakland, California
Mastered at Future Disc Systems in Hollywood, California, with mastering credit to Tom Baker
Executive produced for Rhyme Syndicate Productions, associate produced for Gee Enterprise, managed by Syndicate Management

Cover

Released in a standard jewel case with a 6-page fold-out booklet
Cover printed in Holland and disc made in Holland

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

Tracklist

1	Pimp Anthem	4:36
2	Where the Shit Goes Down	5:19
3	Bouncin' Down the Strezeet	3:51
4	Return of the Real	4:59
5	I Must Stand	3:59
6	(Alotta Niggas)	0:58
7	Rap Game's Hijacked	5:32
8	How Does It Feel	4:30
9	The Lane	3:46
10	(Rap Is Fake)	0:45
11	Make the Loot Loop	3:40
12	Syndicate 4 Ever	4:06
13	The 5th	4:26
14	(It's Goin' Down)	0:34
15	They Want Me Back In	3:10
16	Inside of a Gangsta	4:03
17	Forced to Do Dirt	4:56
18	(Haters)	0:45
19	Cramp Your Style	3:52
20	(Real)	1:39
21	Dear Homie	3:56

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: Stephen Thomas Erlewine gave the album 2.5 out of 5 stars
Erlewine wrote that Ice-T returns to the streets and hardcore beats on his sixth album
He called the rejection of post-N.W.A G-funk and gangsta rap a bold political move
He wrote that the album shows no great progress since 1991
He wrote that a sense of stagnation persists across the whole album, though some tracks sound lively

Records

Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: number 19
Billboard 200: number 89
Single "I Must Stand": number 83 on Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs
Single "I Must Stand": number 21 on Billboard Rap Songs
A music video was produced for "I Must Stand"

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

Trivia

The unused demo "Here I Go Again" from these sessions was later re-recorded by Ice-T with Body Count on Bloodlust.
Discogs notes that Track 2 is shown on the back as "Where The Goes Down", an error.
Discogs notes that Track 21 is not listed on the back of the packaging.
Discogs notes that Track 17 contains a sample from Mobb Deep's "Shook Ones Part 1".
Discogs notes that Track 19 contains a sample from Onyx's "Cramp Your Style With A Bullet & A Smile".

Sources: en.wikipedia.org · www.discogs.com

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