Ice Cream Man – Master P

Artist: Master P
Album: Ice Cream Man
Label: No Limit Records / Priority
Release Date: April 16, 1996
Review Published: N4MR Hip-Hop Magazine Issue #17 Nov/Dec 1996

In the Bay Area, while Oakland was blowing up and Vallejo was knocking at the door, Richmond was bubbling with talent; Patiently waiting for their turn to shine. It was long suspected in Richmond that Mater – P would be the one to lead the small, often overlooked, city to the national forefront. After a series of underground albums and compilations, Master – P has stepped up with The Ice Cream Man.  

In the City of Richmond, CA,  there isn’t much else going on but ‘G shi”.  Therefore, what does ‘P’ come with? More G shit!  It’s the usual dank, drank, gamin’ and slangin’ – your typical “Gangsta Rap” record. But, you know what? It sounds pretty damn good. The music doesn’t sound like it was made in somebody’s garage.

Crisp clean beats are the nucleus of this album.  As for the lyrics, well the flow is a little choppy at times but, ‘P’ pulls it together on the tighter cuts like “Player From Around the Way”,  “Bout It Bout It II” , and “Never Ending Game”.   I’d say that Master – P is representing Richmond proper.  I expect bigger and better things from Master – P in the years to come.

-Xtraordinaire