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Rhyme Pays is the debut album of Ice-T, released in 1987.
The album, especially tracks like "6 'N the Mornin'," is considered to have defined the gangsta genre, and was the first hip-hop album to carry a Parental Advisory warning label, although it was years before the industry-standard explicit-lyrics sticker was developed. The album was not released on CD until 1988. Four bonus tracks were added to the release on that format.
Reception
Rhyme Pays peaked at #93 on the Billboard 200 music chart and #26 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums. Rolling Stone gave the album three stars. It was also the first hip-hop artist album released on the Sire and Warner Bros. labels.