Thug Life Army

Gangsta Rap Special Edition is available on digital download now, and features two previously unreleased tracks, as well as an alternative silhouette version of the album's original controversial cover.

Released through PayUp Records, the digital label owned and operated by Ice-T's long-time manager Mickey Bentson, and Final Level Records, the new album will be distributed through INGrooves. Last week Gangsta Rap Special Edition was made available exclusively to Sprint PCS customers, through the wireless company's "New Track Tuesdays.

"Like (Ice-T) says, ''Hip-Hop is really on the ER table, and it needs resuscitation, it needs help''," Bentson said "We gave Melee (Records) a little over a year to work it, and we felt the time was right to give the album a second push. "Since a lot of people are claiming to do hardcore, ''gangsta rap,'' it's time to see what an O.G. does and how it's done," Bentson said. "Really envision the records, listen to the records, and you can actually feel the records when he's finished. He's always been able to get you to visually see what he's doing, maybe that's why he's on TV today."

Originally released on Melee Records in October 2006, Gangsta Rap made a few headlines due to it's cover: a nude rendering of Hip Hop Legend / Gangsta Rap OG Ice T and his wife CoCo. The distribution arrangement for the special edition means the new album is available through all online retailers, including iTunes, Rhapsody, and Amazon.com. INGrooves also handles distribution for the likes of hip hop and rap luminaries Too $hort, The Cool Kids, Ky-Mani Marley, and even country diva Dolly Parton.

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