Helter Skelter (The D.O.C. album)

For the Fred Frith and François-Michel Pesenti album, see Helter Skelter (Fred Frith and François-Michel Pesenti album).
Helter Skelter
Studio album by
The D.O.C.
ReleasedJanuary 23, 1996 (1996-01-23)
Recorded1995
StudioD.A.R.P Studios (Atlanta, Georgia)
Genre
Length69:40
Label
ProducerThe D.O.C. (also exec.), Erotic D
The D.O.C. chronology
No One Can Do It Better
(1989) 		Helter Skelter
(1996) 		Deuce
(2003)
Singles from Helter Skelter
  1. "Return of Da Livin' Dead"
    Released: October 31, 1995
  2. "4 My Doggz"
    Released: 1996
Alternative cover
Inside the booklet of Helter Skelter
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Rolling Stone Album Guide[2]
The Source[3]

Helter Skelter is the second studio album by The D.O.C.; released on January 23, 1996. This album was an attempt at making a comeback following the car crash which severely damaged his vocal cords. The album was widely ignored, and has even been discredited by D.O.C himself.[4] The name of the album is a reference to Charles Manson's idea of The Beatles' "Helter Skelter" prophesying the end of the world.

The title and concept behind this album were originally developed by Dr. Dre as a collaborative effort between him and Ice Cube, titled Heltah Skeltah. At that time however, The D.O.C. had become disillusioned with Death Row Records and Dre, having received no payment for his work ghostwriting at Death Row [citation needed]. So in late 1994, D.O.C. decided to leave Death Row and headed to Atlanta, Georgia. Taking lyrics he had already written for Heltah Skeltah, he recorded Helter Skelter, keeping the name to spite Dre.[4] His lyrics were inspired by the writings of Milton William Cooper[citation needed].

It was his last album recorded for Warner Music Group, the only major music company for which he worked, this time it was recorded for Giant Records imprint of Warner Bros. Records label.

  1. ^ AllMusic review
  2. ^ Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian David (2004). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide. Simon and Schuster. p. 281. ISBN 978-0-7432-0169-8.
  3. ^ Marshall, Wes (February 1996). "Record Report: The D.O.C. – Helter Skelter". The Source. No. 77. New York. pp. 88, 90.
  4. ^ a b Curry, Tracy (2002-03-19). "From Ruthless To Death Row" (Interview). Interviewed by ThaFormula.Com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-05. Retrieved 2006-10-11.