Ice Cream Man

“Ice Cream Man” is the fifth studio album by Master P, released on April 16, 1996, through No Limit Records and Priority Records. It was the first Master P album issued after the label’s move from Richmond, California, back to New Orleans.

The story

According to published accounts, Master P recorded the album in about one week in January 1996. It arrived shortly after No Limit’s distribution agreement with Priority, which let the label keep ownership of its masters. Three singles were issued: “Mr. Ice Cream Man,” “’Bout It, ’Bout It Pt. II” and “No More Tears.” The title track featured Silkk the Shocker, Mia X and Mo B. Dick, a lineup that previewed the roster No Limit would build over the following two years.

Sound and production

Production is credited to Beats By the Pound along with K-Lou and DJ Daryl, with sessions at K-Lou Studios in Richmond. The record blends the Bay Area funk of Master P’s California years with the New Orleans sound the label was moving toward. Guests include Silkk the Shocker, Mia X, Mo B. Dick, UGK, Big Ed, Mr. Serv-On, Tre-8 and Skull Duggery.

Legacy

The album peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard 200 and No. 3 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and was certified platinum by the RIAA. Its sales set up the run of No Limit releases that followed in 1997 and 1998. A 2005 reissue dropped the track “The Ghetto Won’t Change” from the original tracklist.

Released April 16, 1996. More from hip hop in 1996.