![]() By 2010, making hip hop music was no longer a priority for the legendary L.A. Ultimately, I Am the West misses the mark in demonstrating Ice Cube’s ability to adapt to the evolving hip-hop landscape. Family-centric tracks, like “She Couldn’t Make It on Her Own” featuring Doughboy and OMG, and the ode to his wife, feel disjointed in the context of the album, while the familiar West Coast production and Keith David’s narration struggle to breathe new life into the project, leaving it feeling stale. While Cube offers advice on tracks like “Hood Robbin'” and “Your Money or Your Life,” it’s difficult to avoid the preachy tone. The album touches on themes like ringtone rapper generation superficiality and the widening social class gap, but the critique in “No Country for Young Men” comes across as out-of-touch with the current state of hip-hop. The slicker moments on the album, such as “Hood Mentality” and “I Got My Locs On” featuring Young Jeezy, feel out of place and don’t quite gel with the overall vibe.ĭespite attempting to bridge the gap between old school and new school hip-hop, the reflective approach feels I Am the West dated. The album’s production, primarily handled by lesser-known producers like Young Fokus and Emile, does provide a raw, minimalistic feel that can sound refreshing at times, but also strangely dated, like it’s clinging to a bygone era of hip-hop. While singles like “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It,” “Do Ya Thang,” and “Why Me?” featuring Musiq Soulchild showcase Cube’s skillful wordplay, they can also feel a bit self-serving and don’t really push the envelope. The album tries to explore the complexities and paradoxes of life, but it sometimes feels like Cube is rehashing old ground or justifying his choices, rather than offering fresh insights. Raw Footageįeaturing guest appearances from The Game, Butch Cassidy, Musiq Soulchild, Young Jeezy, and WC, Raw Footage is arguably Cube’s most political effort since 1992’s The Predator. What sets The War Disc apart from other double-disc hip-hop releases from the late ’90s is Cube’s sense of purpose, even if he doesn’t always nail his message. Still, there are moments when Cube really brings it all together, like on “3 Strikes You In,” making the album feel more cohesive than it actually is. And his attempt to rebrand himself as Don Mega, kinda like Wu-Tang Clan, feels a bit awkward. ![]() Yeah, Cube’s still got his lyrical skills, but he spends way too much time bragging, especially about material stuff. But, when you take a closer look, it loses a bit of steam. Overall, The War Disc is pretty intense, with a street-oriented sound and even some surprising rap-metal fusions like “Fuck Dying” featuring Korn. Released in 1998, this ambitious project is the first part of a double-disc set and boasts a wide range of production from Bud’da, E-A-Ski, Ice Cube, K-Mac, N.O. War & Peace Volume 1 (The War Disc), Ice Cube’s fifth studio album, marked his return after a five-year hiatus following 1993’s Lethal Injection. From AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted to The Predator and Everythang’s Corrupt, we rank every Ice Cube album from worst to best. Cube’s discography is a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of American society, from the politically charged Death Certificate and The Predator to the more mainstream vibes of War & Peace Vol. He’s never been one to shy away from controversy, and his albums are a testament to his raw and unfiltered approach. A fearless rapper who’s unafraid to tackle social issues head-on, Cube’s solo career has been nothing short of groundbreaking.įrom his killer debut, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, back in 1990, Cube has been dishing out hard-hitting lyrics and powerful stories that resonate with listeners. When you talk about Ice Cube, you’re talking about a West Coast legend who has been shaking things up since his days with N.W.A.
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