The Original O.G.: Ice-T, Raydio, and Say Hi

"O.G. Original Gangsta"   ICE-T

This week saw the return of Ice-T's reality TV show with Coco, Spartacus, and the 2012 version of Ice-T.    Tracy Murrow (aka Ice-T) was one of my favorite rappers in the 90's, explicit but honest street rhymes with intelligent lyrics.   He was one of the first to mix in heavy metal guitar riffs and his side hardcore metal band, Body Count, is legendary for their attitude and aggression. Ice-T has since moved away from rapping.   He's an author, a cop on Law & Order, a popular public speaker, and now he's a reality TV star, amazing transition for the Original Gangsta!   This video is edited but it's such a great description of Ice's mindset of the time.

"FOR THOSE WHO LOVE TO GROOVE"  and "YOU CAN'T CHANGE THAT"  RAY PARKER JR and RAYDIO

A decade before Ghostbusters, Ray Parker Jr. was one of the most sought after session guitar players.   Featured on albums by Stevie Wonder, Barry White, writing songs for Chaka Khan, and penning Leo Sayer's "You Make Me Feel Like Dancing", Ray never had confidence in his voice.   So his first couple of albums were with a group called Raydio to help with the vocals.    Here are two classics, one is just a funk jam, Ray on guitar and Soul Train dancers loving it!  I dare you not to move on this one.   "You Can't Change That" dips a little Motown flavor on one of Ray's first crossover hits.   If you put spooky beats and slow down the tempo on "You Can't Change That" it would be the creepiest stalker song! :)

"NOVEMBER WAS WHITE, DECEMBER WAS GRAY"    SAY HI

Really cool song I heard for the first time this week!   A Seattle band who's been around since 2002, their sound here is definitely Indie.   Love how it kind of puts you into a trance then blasts you with a great keyboard and drum track. The build in intensity without going over the top is magical.    Definitely a group I'm going to discover more music by them!