Millie Jackson – I Had To Say It – Spring LP

This 1980 LP starts off with a hilarious and irreverent rap number that finds Jackson attacking everyone from welfare queens to black men who refuse to date black women. Influenced by early rappers like the Sugarhill Gang and the Sequence, “I Had to Say It” sounds quite bold for 1980. Back then, most R&B singers were afraid to tackle hip-hop. However, soul singing is still Jackson’s primary focus, and the vocalist is in good form on gritty soul offerings like “Somebody’s Love Died Here Last Night,” “Fancy This,” and a remake of the Dobie Gray hit “Lovin’ Arms.” Jackson gets into more of a disco/pop groove on “Ladies First,” but this is a soul album first and foremost.

tracklist:
I Had To Say It
Loving Arms ’81
The Rap ’81 & Stranger & The Rap ’81 Reprise

I Ain’t No Glory Story
It’s Gonna Take Some Time This Time
Fancy This
Ladies First
Somebody’s Love Died Here Last Night
You Owe Me That Much

picture not from actual LP