Recently West Coast legend Spice 1 dropped the track “I’m Gangsta” which is more than likely to be associated with what would be his fourteenth studio album as a solo artist. The track is vintage Spice 1 rhyming over what sounds to be a cleverly chopped sample of “Moments in Love” by the Art of Noise. His career spans three plus decades, beginning in 1986 as a member of Too Short’s The Dangerous Crew. The two artists have done memorable collaborations throughout the years.
Spice 1 – I’m Gangsta
Art of Noise – Moments in Love
VladTV – Spice 1 Interview Signing with Too Short
Spice 1 and Too Short’s first track together was “Leave It to Me” from Dangerous Crew’s 1988 self-titled project. The two artists would link up on again on Too Short’s 1993 Get In Where You Fit In album on the appropriately titled track “The Dangerous Crew”. The following year both would appear on “2 Kill A G” from Ant Bank’s album The Big Badass. Ant Banks produced quite a few tracks for Spice 1 and Too Short, especially early on.
The Dangerous Crew – Leave It to Me
Too Short – The Dangerous Crew feat. Spice 1 & Ant Banks
Ant Banks – 2 Kill A G feat. Spice 1 & Too Short
The Dangerous Crew 1995 compilation Don’t Try This at Home orchestrated by Too Short was released. Spice 1 would team up with Too Short on “Trouble (Scared to Blast)”. Then in 1997 D-Shot from the rap group The Click and E-40’s brother put out Six Figures. The first single was “True Worldwide Playaz” featuring the tandem of Spice 1 and Too Short as well as Bo-Roc from The Dove Shack, a group from Warren G’s camp.
The Dangerous Crew – Trouble (Scared to Blast)
D-Shot – Worldwide Playaz feat. Spice 1, Too Short & Bo-Roc
Later that year Spice would put out The Black Bossalini with the track “Recognize Game” featuring Too Short, Ice-T, and Kokane. In 1999 Too Short would appear on Spice 1’s track “Suckas Do What They Can (Real Playaz)” along with Roger Troutman and Yukmouth from the Luniz. The track was from the 1999 album Immortalized. Spice 1 and Too Short would link up once last time on the remix to “No Real G’z” along with E-40 from the 2005 project The Truth.
Spice 1 – Recognize Game feat. Too Short, Ice-T & Kokane
Spice 1 – Suckas Do What they Can (Real Playaz) feat. Too Short, Roger Troutman & Yukmouth
Spice 1 – No Real G’z (remix) feat. Too Short & E-40
Editor’s Note : Original, remix not available.
It is good to see Spice 1 and his fellow Dangerous Crew member and mentor Too Short still going strong after all these years. Both artists are still on the grind consistently putting out new material for their fans. They have certainly cemented their legacies in the hip hop culture. Hopefully when Spice 1 puts pout his next album, for old time sake a Too Short feature is included.