Power (Sire, 1988) by Ice-T

In my opinion, Ice-T's sophomore album is his greatest to date.  It's has Ice's signature storytelling and cautionary tales ("Drama," High Rollers").  "I'm Your Pusher" makes great use of Curtis Mayfield's "Pusherman" with a double entendre.  "Soul on Ice" pays homage to Iceberg Slim and "Radio Suckers" provides his opinion on radio programming and censorship.  Before "ganagsta rap" became filled with cliches of violence, drugs, and sex- raps about hard living were strongly rooted in reality.  And the people that lived it knew it was nothing to glorify, and Ice-T and Power are the perfect examples of that much more mature approach to rhyming through a microphone.

O.G. Original Gangster (Sire, 1991) by Ice-T

When gangsta rap is mentioned, this is one of the first albums that comes to mind and rightfully so.  My favorite thing about it is that it is a well-rounded gangsta rap album.  Lots of them are strictly graphic and profane depictions of violence and sex.  This, however, is much more.  There is Ice's trademark story-telling, insight into shortcomings in America's ghettos, anger, and crass humor.  Ice-T is a very smart individual whose perspective and educated opinions are highly valued by many.  Hip-hop is very lucky to have him and this album because Ice-T did not just reflect the chaos of the streets by yelling and cursing.  He told the truth about its harsh realities in hopes that a change for the better would occur.

Rhyme Pays (Sire, 1987) by Ice-T

Ice-T is an incredibly underrated emcee.  He is a fantastic storyteller.  "6 in the Mornin'" is one of the best records in hip-hop history and one of the first gangsta rap records ever.  And never mind the "Cop Killer" controversy, I'm not surprised Body Count, Ice-T's rock band, came about because Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" is sampled at the beginning of Ice's debut hip-hop album, Rhyme Pays.  Rhyme Pays was ahead of its time. And when analyzing the cultural significance of acts like hardcore rappers such as N.W.A or the fusion of rap and rock, i.e. Limp Bizkit, it is foolish to not acknowledge Ice-T and Rhyme Pays and how they helped shape the sound of so many acts that followed.