In 1973, the best-selling album in America wasThe World Is a GhettobyWAR, and to continue the 50th anniversary celebrations of this iconic record,The World Is A Ghetto: 50th Anniversary Collectors Editionwill be released as a4CD and digital set, complementing the limited-edition, widely-acclaimed 5LP version from November 2023s Record Store Day. In addition, the original 1976Greatest Hitspackage containing tracks fromThe World Is a Ghettoand more will be available on CD and vinyl.

The World Is A Ghetto: 50th Anniversary Collectors Editionwas curated by WARs producer, Jerry Goldstein, founding member Lonnie Jordan, and Jeremy Levine. It includesthe recently remastered original album, as well as six bonus tracks and the making of recordings, which trace the in-studio evolution of each of the six original album tracks from the first note to the master take. All were first released on the vinyl box set, and this marks the first time they will be on CD and streaming platforms. Read more about the project in Goldmine Magazine’s Spring 2024 Cover Storyfeaturing Jerry Goldstein and Lonnie Jordan.

TheGreatest Hitsbrings together WARs classic collection of tracks, including universal favorites Why Cant We Be Friends, Low Rider, and Cisco Kid, as well as beloved deep cuts like Gypsy Man and Southern Part of Texas, which demonstrate the breadth, fusion, and originality of the bands sound and influences. It will be released on CD and vinyl, and fans can learn more about the creation of Low Rider in WARs recent episode of Song Exploder.

The World Is A Ghetto: 50thAnniversary Collectors Editions six bonus tracks were recorded during the sessions for the album and include original jams that later developed into future WAR songs. For example, versions ofWar Is ComingandL.A. Sunshinethat would appear onPlatinum Jazzin 1977. The liner notes were done by Goldstein and Lonnie Jordan (lead singer and founding member), and share insights into the making of recordings introduced in the set. Goldstein states these tracks show the songs taking shape in the studio.The nice part about all these making of tracks is that the final take of all of these tracks is the actual final master that we used in The World Is A Ghetto, without edits, without overdubs, just raw.Jordan cleverly adds,Then we turned it aroundR-A-W to W-A-R.

In 1972,The World Is a Ghettosoared to the top of the Billboard album and R&B charts, becoming Billboards No. 1 Album of the Year for 1973, generating two gold singles, including the title track and The Cisco Kid, which shipped gold and remains WARs highest-charting song on the Billboard Hot 100. This album also marked the beginning of an extended period of creative and commercial triumph for WAR, boasting more than 20 gold, platinum and multi-platinum records throughout their remarkable career.

Today, WARs music provides an inexhaustible source of inspiration for R&B and hip-hop artists. Samples from four of the six songs onThe World Is A Ghettohave appeared on tracks by artists like A$AP Mob, Geto Boys, Janet Jackson, and a hip-hop supergroup featuring Method Man, Redman, and Cypress Hill.