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

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Helter Skelter is the second studio album by the D.O.C. It was released on January 23, 1996, and recorded in 1995 at D.A.R.P Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. The album marked the D.O.C.’s attempt at a comeback after a car crash severely damaged his vocal cords. However, it was largely ignored and has even been discredited by the artist himself.

The title references Charles Manson’s idea that the Beatles’ song Helter Skelter would signal the end of the world. The project was originally developed by Dr. Dre and Ice Cube as a collaboration called Heltah Skeltah. In late 1994, the D.O.C. left Death Row Records, moved to Atlanta, and recorded Helter Skelter using lyrics he had written for Heltah Skeltah, keeping the name to spite Dre.

Helter Skelter was the D.O.C.’s last album with Warner Music Group, released on the Giant Records imprint of Warner Bros. Records. All tracks were produced by Erotic D, with The D.O.C. as executive producer, and all tracks were written by The D.O.C. unless noted otherwise.

Singles from the album include “Return of Da Livin’ Dead” (October 31, 1995) and “4 My Doggz” (1996). The album runs 69 minutes and 40 seconds and is classified as gangsta rap. The booklet inside the album features the cover artwork.