Spice 1’s new release, his single “West Side”, sounds like an introduction to the Californian state he calls home; anyone familiar with his output will know how dutifully he has represented the scene for over 30 years. Over a deep bass-laden West Coast beat provided by AC3Beats, Spice 1 tells us a “little something ’bout the west side” with descriptions of shootings and drug use; his second verse ends as he takes a toke. “West Side” is the subject matter of “Welcome to the Ghetto” without any evidence of the lamentation that made his 1991 song so profound. “West Side” as itself is entertaining and Spice 1 flaunts that he can still produce quality gangsta rap in its bare essence.