Helter Skelter (album)

For the Fred Frith and François-Michel Pesenti album, see Helter Skelter (Frith and Pesenti album).

Helter Skelter
Studio album by The D.O.C.
Released	January 23, 1996
Recorded	1994-1995 at D.A.R.P Studios Atlanta, Georgia
Genre	West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, horrorcore
Length	69:40
Label	Giant, Warner Bros.
Producer	The D.O.C. (also exec.), Erotic D
The D.O.C. chronology
No One Can Do It Better (1989)No One Can Do It Better1989 Helter Skelter (1996) Deuce (2003) Singles from Helter Skelter "Return Of Da Livin Dead" Released: October 31 1995 "4 My Doggz" Released: 1996 Deuce2003
Alternative cover
Inside the booklet of Helter Skelter

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Rolling Stone Album Guide

Helter Skelter is a 1996 album by The D.O.C., and 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. 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. 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. His lyrics were inspired by the writings of Milton William Cooper. Especially noticeable in songs Secret Plan and Welcome to the New World. After releasing his debut album, No One Can Do It Better, the D.O.C. suffered a severe car accident that did irreparable damage to his vocal cords. It left him with a thin, raspy voice that was simply unusable for several years. In 1996, he made his comeback with Helter Skelter. The backing tracks are solid gangsta rap recorded by a live band.

Track listing

No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Intro" (featuring Eddie Griffin)	Erotic D	3:21
2.	"Return of Da Livin' Dead"	The D.O.C.	3:34
3.	"From Ruthless 2 Death Row (Do We All Part)"	Erotic D	4:26
4.	"Secret Plan"	The D.O.C.	5:36
5.	"Komurshell (Mo' Hair)" (featuring Mario Latrell)	Erotic D	2:21
6.	"4 My Doggz"	Erotic D	4:27
7.	".45 Automatic" (featuring Jamal and Passion)	Erotic D	3:58
8.	"Sonz O' Light"	Erotic D	4:04
9.	"Bitchez"	Erotic D	5:13
10.	"Interlude" (featuring Voodoo Einstein)	Erotic D	5:02
11.	"Da Hereafter"	The D.O.C.	4:48
12.	"Erotix Shit" (featuring Jamal, T-Double, DFC, MC Breed, Mz.Allan and Erotic D)	Erotic D	5:04
13.	"Welcome To The New World"	Erotic D	2:51
14.	"Killa Instinc"	Erotic D	3:36
15.	"Komurshell"	Erotic D	1:01
16.	"Brand New Formula"	Erotic D	4:32
17.	"Outro"	Erotic D	1:08
Total length:			69.40

Bonus track
No.	Title	Producer(s)	Length
18.	"Crazy Bitchez"	Erotic D	4:38

Samples

• "Return of Da Livin' Dead" - Contains a sample of "It's Funky Enough" by The D.O.C.
• "From Ruthless 2 Death Row (Do We All Part)" - Contains a sample of "Children's Story" by Slick Rick and a sample of For The Love Of You by The Isley Brothers
• "4 My Doggz" - Contains a sample of "The Chronic (Intro)" by Dr. Dre
• "Bitchez"- Contains a sample of Body Heat by Quincy Jones
• "Brand New Formula" - Contains a sample of Inner City Blues(Makes Me Wanna Holler) by Marvin Gaye

Singles

Single information
"Return of Da Livin' Dead" Released: 1995 B-side: "From Ruthless to Death Row (Do We All Part)"
"4 My Doggz" Released: 1996 B-side: "4 My Doggz (Instrumental)"

Chart positions

Chart(1996)	Peak position
"Billboard" 200	30
Top R&B/ Hip-Hop Albums	5