Helter Skelter (album)

Helter Skelter
Studio album by The D.O.C.
Released January 23, 1996 (1996-01-23)
Recorded 1995–1996
Studio D.A.R.P Studios, Atlanta, Georgia
Genre West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, horrorcore
Length 69:40
Label
Producer The D.O.C. (also exec.), Erotic D
The D.O.C. chronology
No One Can Do It Better
(1989)No One Can Do It Better1989		 Helter Skelter
(1996)		 Deuce
(2003)Deuce2003
Singles from Helter Skelter
  1. "Return of Da Livin' Dead"
    Released: October 31, 1995
  2. "4 My Doggz"
    Released: 1996
Alternative cover
Inside the booklet of Helter Skelter
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic[1]
Rolling Stone Album Guide[2]

Helter Skelter is the second studio album by The D.O.C.; released on January 23, 1996. This album was an attempt at making a comeback following the car crash which severely damaged his vocal cords. The album was widely ignored, and has even been discredited by D.O.C himself.[3] The name of the album is a reference to Charles Manson's idea of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter" prophesying the end of the world.

The title and concept behind this album were originally developed by Dr. Dre as a collaborative effort between him and Ice Cube, titled Heltah Skeltah. At that time however, The D.O.C. had become disillusioned with Death Row Records and Dre, having received no payment for his work ghostwriting at Death Row . So in late 1994, D.O.C. decided to leave Death Row and headed to Atlanta, Georgia. Taking lyrics he had already written for Heltah Skeltah, he recorded Helter Skelter, keeping the name to spite Dre.[3] His lyrics were inspired by the writings of Milton William Cooper. Especially noticeable in songs Secret Plan and Welcome to the New World. After releasing his debut album, No One Can Do It Better, the D.O.C. suffered a severe car accident that did irreparable damage to his vocal cords. It left him with a thin, raspy voice that was simply unusable for several years. In 1996, he made his comeback with Helter Skelter. The backing tracks are solid gangsta rap recorded by a live band.

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Intro" (featuring Eddie Griffin)The D.O.C.Erotic D3:21
2."Return of Da Livin' Dead"The D.O.C.The D.O.C.3:34
3."From Ruthless 2 Death Row (Do We All Part)"The D.O.C.Erotic D4:26
4."Secret Plan"The D.O.C.The D.O.C.5:36
5."Komurshell (Mo' Hair)" (featuring Mario Latrell)Erotic D, The D.O.C.Erotic D2:21
6."4 My Doggz"The D.O.C.Erotic D4:27
7.".45 Automatic" (featuring Jamal and Passion)The D.O.C.Erotic D3:58
8."Sonz O' Light"The D.O.C.Erotic D4:04
9."Bitchez"The D.O.C.Erotic D5:13
10."Interlude" (featuring Voodoo Einstein)The D.O.C.Erotic D5:02
11."Da Hereafter"The D.O.C.The D.O.C.4:48
12."Erotix Shit" (featuring Jamal, T-Double, DFC, MC Breed, Mz.Allan and Erotic D)The D.O.C.Erotic D5:04
13."Welcome to the New World"The D.O.C.Erotic D2:51
14."Killa Instinc"The D.O.C.Erotic D3:36
15."Komurshell"Erotic DErotic D1:01
16."Brand New Formula"The D.O.C.Erotic D4:32
17."Outro"The D.O.C.Erotic D1:08
Total length:69.40
Bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
18."Crazy Bitchez"The D.O.C.Erotic D4:38

Samples

  • "Return of Da Livin' Dead" - Contains a sample of "It's Funky Enough" by The D.O.C.
  • "From Ruthless 2 Death Row (Do We All Part)" - Contains a sample of "Children's Story" by Slick Rick and a sample of For The Love Of You by The Isley Brothers
  • "4 My Doggz" - Contains a sample of "The Chronic (Intro)" by Dr. Dre
  • "Bitchez"- Contains a sample of Body Heat by Quincy Jones
  • "Brand New Formula" - Contains a sample of Inner City Blues (Makes Me Wanna Holler) by Marvin Gaye

Singles

Single information
"Return of Da Livin' Dead"
  • Released: 1995
  • B-side: "From Ruthless to Death Row (Do We All Part)"
"4 My Doggz"
  • Released: 1996
  • B-side: "4 My Doggz (Instrumental)"

Chart positions

Chart(1996) Peak
position
"Billboard" 200 30
Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Albums 5

References

  1. ↑ Allmusic review
  2. ↑ https://books.google.com/books?id=lRgtYCC6OUwC&pg=PA322&dq=rolling+stone+gang+starr&cd=1&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=wu%20tang&f=false Page 281
  3. 1 2 Curry, Tracy (2002-03-19). deadlink "From Ruthless To Death Row" Check |url= value (help) (Interview). Interviewed by ThaFormula.Com.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.