12 Inches of Snow

12 Inches of Snow is the debut album by Canadian reggae musician Snow, released in 1993. Edmond Leary and MC Shan produced the entire album, apart from one track which was produced by John Ficarrotta. The album was produced shortly before Snow was imprisoned for a year on an assault charge. Upon his release from prison, his first single "Informer" became a chart topping hit.

The album 12 Inches of Snow originated after Snow auditioned for MC Shan in 1991. Shan was so impressed by Snow, he invited Snow to begin recording in his pre production studio in his basement. Shan introduced Snow to Managers Steve Salem and David Eng, who immediately signed Snow and created "Moto Jam Records." Salem and Eng became Executive Producers as well and Snow recorded in their Bay Sound Recording Studio. The inspiration for the song Informer stemmed from a late night incident across the street from Snow's Allenbury home. Thus, the song described how a detective incorrectly accused Snow of "stabbing someone down the lane." The song also chronicled Snow's incarceration at Toronto East Detention Centre and prison life. Shan described the album as not "raw, straight up" reggae but more of a hybrid album fusing pop, jazz, reggae, and hip hop resulting in "mass appeal." Indeed, the songs "Informer," "Runway," "Champion Sound," and "Lonely Monday Morning," were dancehall tracks performed in Jamaican Patois. Shan recorded "Drunken Styles," another song performed entirely in patois, after Snow and the recording crew celebrated at a nearby tavern in Bayside Queens after a studio session whereas a tipsy Snow performed the entire track free style. Shan, Eng, and Salem, testified that they were unaware of a partnership between Snow and Prince and Shan denied that Prince co produced 12 Inches of Snow and co wrote five of the songs on the album. While initially winning a $1.5 million judgment, the court dismissed Prince's suit on grounds that he had "no viable claims" to a partnership with Snow.

East West released the first single, "Informer," while Snow was serving time in prison for assault charges. In fact, Snow first watched the "Informer" video while behind bars. Upon his release, a limousine picked him up and he left prison as a recording star. "Informer" went on to become one of the biggest international hits of 1993 and 12 Inches of Snow became one of the top selling albums of that year.

(*) Denotes co producer.