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. It later went on to become one of the largest-selling reggae records of all time.

Production

After M.C. Shan discovered Snow through a Canadian DJ, he began recording songs with Snow in New York and introduced him to managers David Kenneth Eng and EZ Steve Salem, who signed Snow to East West Records. While awaiting trial for assault and murder charges (later acquitted), Shan and Snow began working on the album. 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.