Following the success of his previous album, the rapper took part in the movie soundtrack of "Colors" (1988). Having understood that he had become popular among the public, the artist decided to improve and implement his lyricism by writing more serious and conscious lyrics. The production was once again entrusted to Afrika Islam, while the guests were Donald D, a friend of Afrika Islam, and Hen-Gee, brother of DJ Evil-E in whose house the album was entirely recorded.
The cover features the album title at the bottom, the author's name at the top left and three figures in the middle, from left to right Darlene Ortiz (Ice-T's girlfriend at the time) dressed in a skimpy way and holding a sawn-off shotgun, Ice-T and Afrika Islam, both with one hand behind their backs: in the back cover you can see how they both hold firearms, both covers are harshly criticized by professional reviewers.
Second tape dropped by Ice-T in which the rapper presents a general improvement in rapping and production: the sound is better, thanks to the funky efforts of Afrika Islam behind the keyboards and excellent samples (James Brown, Isaac Hayes, Curtis Mayfield, George Clinton). The lyrics are well thought out, he choose good metrics and internal rhymes, the themes focus on street hardcore, keeping part of the gangsta soul of the debut and trying to give it a more conscious-political soul with anti-drugs tracks ("I'm Your Pusher"; had a negative reception from critics who stopped at the title without listening to the song), attacks to the radio that ignores the political rap scene ("Radio Suckers") and other more easy-going songs ("Girls L.G.B.N.A.F."), however the album is mainly braggadocio. Ice-T dissings against LL Cool J ("I'm Your Pusher" and "Girls") started a short-lived feud, which ended a few years later. Ice-T isn't the most complex lyricist in the game, but here he's cold and lucid, his rapping is solid, and his gangsta narrations are flowing and enjoyable delivered with a gritty and energetic style, managing to show broadly his talent and cementing his position in the rap game.
Released by Rhyme Syndicate Productions and Warner subsidiary Sire, the album peaked at number 35 on the Billboard 200, remaining on the chart for eight months and earning a gold certification from the RIAA and a year later in Canada. Rated positively by critics, it's considered one of Ice-T's best albums in retrospect. Coherent album, without obvious weaknesses, excellent effort on the nascent West Coast gangsta scene.
Highlights: "Drama", "Power", "The Syndicate", "Radio Suckers", "I'm Your Pusher", "High Rollers".
Rating: 8/10.
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