Spice 1, Kurupt & Devin The Dude Are Proud To Be Hip-Hop OGs (Audio)

For more than 30 years, Spice 1 has been giving fans his brand of raw, uncut Hip-Hop. The Hayward, California representative released three gold-certified albums at the top of the 1990s, venting on the anxieties of staying strapped in the ‘hood. Throughout that time, the onetime protege and label-mate of Too Short has made memorable songs with E-40, MC Eiht, and Tupac Shakur, among countless others.

For his upcoming album, Platinum O.G. (July 26), the MC makes a much more relaxed debut single than some of his ’90s classics. Premiering at Ambrosia For Heads, “Since 85” features Devin The Dude and Tha Dogg Pound’s Kurupt. The Dude (who featured Spice on his eponymous solo debut more than 20 summers ago) kicks things off. The song recalls the early days of mental elevation. Devin recalls hiding his vices in the ’80s and early ’90s and likes the way the times have changed. Kurupt is next, recalling the orange-tinged Humboldt County bud supply for Dr. Dre and Snoop’s benchmark albums in ’92 and ’93. The Space Boogie: Sm*ke Odyssey creator (who has a Scuba Dust LP on the way) describes some of the strains that grew popular since. Spice plays clean-up on his song. The “I Got 5 On It (Remix)” standout breaks down how he’s been chiefing for decades, long before such was common-place in Rap. He goes back to his adolescence and getting lifted to Ike & Tina 8-track tapes.

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Although it is Spice’s track, Devin tackles the chorus over Elder And Ace 1’s catchy melody. Just as Devin’s been doing throughout his incredible career, the Coughee Brothaz leader sings. On a song about relaxation and refusing to break old habits, it’s just the right sound.

Too Short, Yukmouth, Rappin’ 4-Tay, Tha Outlawz, B-Legit, Big Mike, Lil Eazy-E, and Digital Underground’s Money B are among the other guests on Platinum O.G. Additionally, the LP includes verses from some of Spice’s fallen comrades, including P*mp C, Big Syke, and Hussein F*tal. “This album is like my All Eyez On Me to the world,” Spice said in a statement to AFH. “It’s me and my homies, some here, some not with us anymore, bringing that West Coast g*ngster sh*t on some banging-*ss beats.” Notably, all of those beats are supplied by San Antonio, Texas duo Elder And Ace 1.

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Notably, Spice 1 was one of the MCs who worked with the late Bushwick Bill in recent years. They collaborated on 2017 Throne Of Game track “Strapped.”

#BonusBeat: Spice 1’s recent comprehensive interview with adam22 and the No Jumper Podcast: