Career

Jive Records (1991-1999)

Spice's stage name is an acronym for "Sex, Pistols, Indo, Cash, and Entertainment". He was first discovered by rapper Too Short. In 1991 he put out his first release, Let It Be Known EP, which was not widely distributed. In 1992, he released his self-titled debut Spice 1, a vivid and fatalistic gangsta rap album. He followed it with an even more bitter and nihilistic release, 187 He Wrote, in 1993.

Spice 1 released six albums under Jive Records along with one greatest hits album. Though was reported by Jive that he had an album called "Full Metal Jacket", Spice 1 has stated that this information was false. The album was never released and it is uncertain whether any songs were recorded for the project. He was supposed to collaborate with 2Pac on an album called "One Nation", along with other west and east coast rappers.

In 1996, Spice 1 appeared on the Red Hot Organization's compilation CD, America is Dying Slowly, alongside many prominent hip hop artists such as Biz Markie, Wu-Tang Clan, Organized Konfusion, and Fat Joe. The CD, meant to raise awareness of the AIDS epidemic among African American men, was heralded as "a masterpiece" by The Source magazine.

While Spice 1 was signed to Jive, three of his albums reached Gold status. According to the RIAA, these albums were Spice 1, 187 He Wrote and AmeriKKKa's Nightmare. He continued to have success on later albums as well, though he never managed to receive further certificates for selling over 500,000 albums.

The biggest song in Spice's career was "Trigga Gots No Heart", from both the Menace II Society soundtrack and his album 187 He Wrote. However, at the same time he released "Trigga Gots No Heart", fellow rapper MC Eiht also had a hit single, "Streiht Up Menace", from the soundtrack which took the number one spot. In 1999 Spice 1 released his last album with Jive, Immortalized. Though it received good reviews, it was not well promoted and didn't sell as expected. According to Spice 1, he left Jive Records because they wanted him to clean up his image.

Life after Jive (2000-present)

Spice 1 has released more than 10 group and solo albums since his release from Jive.

Spice defended Ice-T in his feud with Soulja Boy Tell 'Em in 2008.

More recently Spice 1 is working on a new album, with production credits from Nat Powers.

Spice 1 has finished recording a project with recording artist Bossolo, entitled "Thug Therapy", the album dropped March 17 2015 under Thug World Music Group LLC.

Spice 1 has completed his brand new entitled Haterz Nightmare.

Personal life

He attended Mt. Eden High School in Hayward.

Spice 1 was shot in the chest on the morning of December 3, 2007, while sitting in his Cadillac Escalade outside his parents' home in the 26000 block of Chiplay Avenue in Hayward. The shooting is believed to be motivated by robbery, rather than any sort of rivalry. He suffered a collapsed lung. He talked about the shooting 6 days after it occurred from his hospital bed.

Discography

Main article: Spice 1 discography

Albums

• Spice 1 (1992)
• 187 He Wrote (1993)
• AmeriKKKa's Nightmare (1994)
• 1990-Sick (1995)
• The Black Bossalini (1997)
• Immortalized (1999)
• The Last Dance (2000)
• Spiceberg Slim (2002)
• The Ridah (2004)
• Dyin' 2 Ball (2005)
• The Truth (2005)
• Thug Therapy (2015)
• Haterz Nightmare (2015)

EP

• Let It Be Known (1991)

[ Source: Wikipedia ]