When Joseph Williams Jr. the pioneer of New York Gangsta and Hardcore rap bursted out of Fort Greene, Brooklyn as Just-Ice, he gained instant notoriety. Muscular, tattooed, and aggressive, with a mouthful of gold teeth, his slickly produced debut single "Put That Record Back On" was an instant hit. However, a more down-and-dirty sound could be found on the B-Side track, "Latoya" which, for the time was relatively profane, and became a Hip Hop classic. Soon afterward, his debut album Back to the Old School was released in 1986. The album has been described as a classic early hip-hop album and revolutionary for its time by the All Music Guide. It came out on the independent New York label Fresh/Sleeping Bag, and sounded like no other hip-hop album, thanks to his fast, forceful rhymes, The Human beatbox DMX, and the distinctive production of Mantronik. Just was one of the first MCs to embrace the teachings of the Nation of Gods and Earths on recordings, as well as being a pioneer in incorporating dancehall-style toasting into hip-hop rhymes. Just-Ice also set a pattern for many future hip-hop feuds, declaring war on D.C.'s go-go scene and loudly criticizing Run-D.M.C (very popular in New York at this time). His controversial demeanor can be heard on Kool & Deadly (Justicizms), the second album by Just-Ice. It was released in 1987, and was produced by KRS-One and Just-Ice. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source Magazine's 100 Best Rap Albums. His third album The Desolate One was also produced by KRS-One. The legendary turntablist Grandmaster Flash came in to produced Ice's fourth album and last for Fresh/Sleeping Bag, Masterpiece. He released four more records through out his careeer: Gun Talk, with production from O.C. of The Fearless Four and Mantronix, Kill The Rhythm released in 1995, VII his seventh record was released in 1998 and his most recent release Gangster Boogie has started an internet uproar. In recent years, Just Ice has released several white label 12 inches with production being handled by hip hop superstar producer, DJ Premiere. Just-Ice, the Hardest New York M.C. recorded to date continues to make raw Hip Hop classic for true Hardcore rap fans world wide.
Back to the Old School (1986)
Kool & Deadly (1987)
The Desolate One (1989)
Masterpiece (1990)
Gun Talk (1993)
Kill the Rhythm (Like a Homicide) (1995)
VII (1998)
Gangster Boogie 8
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12 inches
Latoya-1986
Put That Record Back On-1986
Going Way Back-1987
Lyric Licking-1987
The Music-1994
