Reviews (page 5 of 7)
Best Song: The Nigga Ya Love to Hate. Such a groovy blastoff into this album, that still hits hard lyrically despite being so upbeat musically. Worst Song: I'm Only Out For One Thing. No song has ever been improved by including Flava Flav. Overall: Yeah it's good, even if it does have some lyrical work that has aged pretty poorly. Also far too long for what's on offer, and could have used some editing before release.
A lot of misogyny in here but also a lyrical slice of life.
Nog steeds is rap niet mijn ding. Maar ik kon dit album luisteren zonder gefrustreerd te raken
this album melted me
very listenable but nowhere near as creative as Dr Dre or others of the same period
It was fine
Snälla ice cube… var int så aggressiv… ja blir skrämd :(
Enjoyable sound albeit repetetive to it’s detriment. The track ”Can’t fade me” sticks out for it’s misogyny but what he says on ”Who’s The Mack?” and the framing of ”It’s a Man’s World” makes me believe that he think he was aware of how it came off when he wrote it. The question then becomes why write it at all?
I was kind of surprised that I did enjoy this. There isn't as much variety in the beats as you hear in more recent rap but you can't deny that Ice Cube is a really excellent storyteller
Great album from the star of Are We There Yet?
Ice Cube turns out not to be a joke act after all.
Ice Cube's expression on this album cover mirrors my feelings on finding out that (after a couple of weeks of mostly dross) I now have to listen to an Ice Cube album. It turns out that my incredulous miffment was ill founded. I quite enjoyed this record. It seemed bouncy and energetic. I got the sense that the lyrical content may have been rude/offensive, but wasn't really taking it in. 3/5
ganska bra men jag upplevde det som lite töntigt emellanåt
Definitely ice cube
"Mediocre beats will work if they're loud enough." -the golden rule of gangsta rap, probably
Listened to on 3/8/22 2.5/5 Favorite song: You can’t fade me Genuinely liked this more than I thought I would but the explicit lyrics were a bit excessive in some of the songs - the social commentary on race in America and the integration of radio/quotes were 10/10 though
👍
A man with a message, although it's a mixed one. Is he being ironic or a hypocrite? Who knows. The whole stick it to the (white) man/break down the system gets a bit tiresome after a while. The music is OK and he's a decent rapper so I'm gonna stick my vote on the fence in the middle cos the jury is out. Hope that's OK with you IC?
Listening to the lyrics I thought made it was trying to address misogyny, but the whole attitude of the album seemed to be in a tone of gangster rap, so I was confused. Like when people go to the opera to see La Boheme dealing with issues of poverty.
Tough as nails inner city portrait - very often threading misogyny but at the same time ground breaking in terms of enlightenment for 1990. Does not let up for a minute - Ice Cube really brings out the words and paints hugely vivid images of gangbanging life
Overall a classic. I enjoyed the skits and samples, even when they skewed a bit silly. The one-note misogyny interfered with some of the other commentary for me, though. I also had a hard time differentiating a lot of the songs.
I have mixed feelings on this album - and on basically all releases from NWA and its former members really. It's an important album in the evolution of the genre and it certainly has its strong points, but there's also a lot about it that hasn't aged well at all. I'm not going to make a whole point-by-point dissertation... I think this ranks as a medium three and that's about it. It doesn't really need more said about it than that.
The genre of “gangsta rap” was one I was never dove head first into. When I was younger, NWA, Dre, Snoop, Eazy-E were all finding their footing in the world of music and Ice Cube wasn’t someone whose catalog I had any desire to check out. I had my fill on some of the music made by the aforementioned artists, so Cube fell by the wayside. I’d always meant to get around to his stuff, but never found the time. In listening to this, I can see the appeal. It’s catchy, the rhymes are borderline ridiculous at times, but what do you expect? It was hard hitting, it was original, it was what I expected but it never wowed me.
I got the importance of this album for modern hip-hop and its songs are really cool. A little bit repetitive, but still cool!
Ice Cubes debut doesn’t have a lot of memorable music. Lyrics feel outdated, but understand how it drive the narrative of rap in the early 90’s
I think this isn't for me, but I can see why it is so highly regarded. The production is absolutely ace.
Ice Cube sounds pretty west coast, and I guess I prefer east coast. Not a bad album, but not very catchy either.
Von der Musik her nicht schlecht, wenn sich auch später viel ähnlich klingt. Von den Texten sind manche noch aktuell, manche definitiv nicht.
He’s got a dope sound and a fierce energy. Just not my type of music.
The issue with this album is it is so samey throughout. While Cube is the fundamental piece that makes NWA work, the other members are so fundamental to the attractiveness of the group due to the diversity of sound. That is what is lacking on a solo Cube project. The only reprieve was found in the occasional features which spiced things up.
Pew pew
I like to listen to the 1001 offerings twice to make sure I didn't miss any nuances the first time through. With this album, I'm pretty sure there were no nuances to miss. It's about as subtle as a brick that hits you in the head. His Fuck You voice really suits the gangster rap genre. He has some important messages and delivers them in a way that leaves little doubt about what the message is. His delivery style does make it hard to play the album when company is over or children are within earshot. I suppose my children and dinner guests tonight were not his target market anyway. Oh well, Happy Thanksgiving.
the beats and editing was solid, each song opening is very exciting, but I found myself bored thirty seconds into most tracks
ЧТО: Дебютник О’Ши Джексона, более известного под псевдонимом Ice Cube, выпущенный в 1990 году после ухода Кьюба из легендарной группы N.W.A. Классический хип-хоп из 1990-х. И текстово, и музыкально альбом наследует традиции предыдущих поколений развития жанра и использует их для создания новой классики. В этом, как мне кажется, невероятная сила этой культуры - в уважении и бережном отношении к своим корням. Сразу оговорюсь, что мне трудно писать о хип-хоп музыке. Мне до конца не осмыслить данную пластинку. Это не мой культурный код, но моя сфера интересов. Так что здесь будет исключительно объективный анализ из вне, построенный на человеческой логике, одинаковой для белых и чёрных. Only facts. КАКОЙ: Бумбэп во всей своей красе. Альбом состоит из, если можно так выразиться, качевых ударных партий, сэмплов из фанка и соула и агрессивной читки Кьюба. Как известно, в каждом таком альбоме огромное количество отсылок к поп культуре. Но не мне их искать. Скажу только, что настроение альбома можно описать как «straight outta Compton”. Альбом начинается с интерлюдии - диалоге приговорённого к смерти на электрическом стуле со своим палачом. Это иллюстрирует все эмоциональное наполнение альбома. О ЧЕМ: Темы текстов классические для хип-хопа 1990-х, да и в принципе для хип-хопа. Трудности жизни чёрного человека в Америке, существование в тяжелых условиях гетто - все это отражается в агрессивности подачи и лирики. Кроме того, Кьюб демонстрирует своё мастерство МС, что логично после его ухода из N.W.A. и нападок со стороны коллег по цеху и СМИ. Повторюсь, что мне трудно осознавать посыл таких альбомов, но тем не менее можно сказать, что тексты охватывают набор важных (и обязательных для жанра) концептов, связанных с самолюбованием, криминалом, уличной жизнью и разборками разного рода, успех в которых доказывает обеспечивает kind of street credibility. ИТОГ: Хорошая музыка и классические жанровые тексты. Для меня некоторые биты (в частности на указанных ниже песнях) являются образцовыми. Хотя альбом и не в моем культурном коде, но я уверен, что я не заброшу его сразу после прослушивания, а сохраню для прослушивания в определенные моменты жизни. Альбом безусловно повлиял на развитие хх на западном побережье, в целом в Америке да и во всем мире. Пластинка по праву располагается в ряду важнейших хх альбомов 90-х. ЛУЧШИЕ ПЕСНИ: The N**a Ya Love To Hate, A Gangsta’s Fairytale, Once Upon A Time In The Projects.
Musically, this is nice and angry. That being said, there are least a few songs on it that I feel weird about having the titles for pop up on my Spotify.
I can appreciate this album for what it did in bringing racism, both systematically and individually, and the attitudes about rap, impoverished individuals and urban culture to the forefront. However, I can't really get past the blatant sexism that Ice glorifies. "It's A Man's World" tries to make a light and parody those attitudes, but it just comes off as a cringy and thoughtless attempt. Music becomes a timestamp of the attitudes surrounding it, and this record definitely personifies that. The sexism didn't age well, but it certainly is relevant in the same racist issues America still has today. Beyond that, the music is brilliant. It's not my style or preference in rap, but I can appreciate it for what it is. You can see that Ice Cube was really the driving force in N.W.A because these songs hold up pretty well against that content. He's his same aggressive, in-your-face narrator that wants you to feel his anger. Favorite Song: A Gangsta's Fairytale Least Favorite Song: It's A Man's World
Not bad, although was kind of boring
Je remarque avec surprise que les likes diminuent sur mes reviews en ce moment. Je m'attèle à vous proposer du contenu de qualité, il s'agirait de s'en rendre compte et de rapidement se ressaisir, sans quoi je devrais sévir.
I liked the tracks at the start. The later tracks were ok, but a poco loco
It was quite good but got a bit bored towards the end
I love the sociopolitical focus. I am not a fan of the misogyny. I really found myself grooving along to the beats and samples. 3.5, almost 4.
Young, angry Ice Cube. Nice!
-The vast majority has a flow that you would expect from Ice Cube -I like the general concept/story through the album -Favorite Track is "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" -It might be a 4 but nothing really stood out to draw me back for another listen
The frustration and urge to say “fuck that shit” at being told to be a model minority is something that hits home. “If you just stopped being angry/in your face/flaming/etc.” is bullshit and it’s nice to hear it called out. At the same time, isn’t all this posturing to prove how OG you are the same as white hipsters or nerds or whatever proving they’re “real” in whatever way? It takes some skill to make the simple flow of early 90s rap interesting. Also, misogyny, but obviously. Favourite track: “Turn off the Radio.”
One of my favorite Ice Cube joints 😊 I only like one or two songs overall it left me feeling angry.
Classic album, still relevant today
Eh
"Ice cube the bitch killer"
I admit, I didn't want to listen to it at first. But I was actually very positively surprised and enjoyed it more than I was annoyed by it. That's saying a lot for a rap album. Would like to rate 3.5. Rounded down instead of up for the casual sexism.
3.5/5 it might be good, i'll have to listen to it again
De sound van de nummers die ook daadwerkelijk nummers zijn vind ik wel tof, maar dat oeverloze geleuter en geroep tussen de tracks door is zoooo vermoeiend en saai. *pang* *pang* ik ben stoer!
Fijner dan andere rap die we tot nu toe gehoord hebben, maar de pistoolschoten en het ‘nigger’ komen nu m’n neus wel uit.
Not bad, not as good as NWA
Quite enjoyed this without relating to a single word of it. White Privilege FTW.
5.5
Really gritty album but great. Love Ice Cube. 7/10.
The album offers great historic context. Ice Cube does a great job. His voice is so cool and the songs are fun. Lacks strong singles and the run time is a bit long.
I really enjoyed my listen, and I was surprised that I enjoyed it as much as I did. Although I’m not sure that I’ll be going back to the album anytime soon. Not my genre sadly
A snapshot of racial tension in gangsta rap. Not my favorite Ice Cube album.
Groundbreaking but not my Favorite of his.
My knowledge on hip hop in general isn't strong, less so gangsta rap, even so it's obvious the relevance of this has only increased over time.
p aggressive - C
Not really my thing, doesn't really hold up compared to other classics or more modern rap
There are times in this album when Cube goes off, and there are times when he settles into his slower delivery with lazy rhymes. He should have kept this thing to 45 minutes and cut out the corny fairy tale allusions. Best track: AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
50 minutes of classic hip-hop. Great sampling. Occasional mediocre songs, usually a track is great with brilliant elements throughout. Rivals Ill Communication, giving it a 3/5 instead a 4/5 because I think 3/5 is the true rating for both this and Ill Communication, would rather prefer to give it a 70-75/100.
ok
Lyrically has not aged well, and musically it is dated as well. There are better rap albums form that era. 2/5 Won't listen again
not my cup of tea
Off rap
Hip-hop isn't for me generally, and while this album is fine enough, it just does nothing for me. Gets boring really fast.
Remember when Ice Cube hated cops instead of playing them?
Entiendo el punto del album, pero la narrativa que lleva hacia las mujeres, pura misoginia
338/1089 omg Amazon War of the Worlds guy!! okayyy, this was a chill listen, not really for me but it was fun 47/100
Another gangsta rap album I didn't expect to like. But somehow enjoyed. Much of it because of its ridiculously exaggerated adolescent macho fantasy. Comical in its sexual boasting. Like a 14-year-old schoolboy fantasising about what he would do with a girlfriend if he ever managed to get one. Perhaps I am softening towards gangsta rap, because I found much of the album genuinely funny, although its misogyny is often ugly rather than merely ridiculous. As social commentary, maybe it captures a moment in the early-1990s, but its attitudes towards women now feel dated and out of touch. Entertaining but ridiculous.
Ice Cube was never really my thing.
1.75 - Better than some of the other rap on this list from this era, but still hard to listen to in 2026.
While I can appreciate it was a product of the time, I don’t have to enjoy the product. The misogyny was too much for me, found this to be an uncomfortable listen overall. Some clever lines peppered but overall this ain’t for me. 2 stars
This was okay for this type of rap but it was too long.
I just can’t say I find Ice Cube all that interesting on his own. I also wasn’t much for the “comedy” song where he contemplated murdering a pregnant woman.
Felt like the same 5 tracks repeated for 2hrs.
A little better than most hip hop or gangster rap but still not my jam. 2.5
I thought i would enjoy this album and I did like the beats and the flow but the lyrics were some of the most misogynistic I’ve heard. “You can’t fade me” was a nauseating addition in particular. I enjoy rap/hip hop but i couldn’t get into this one.
If I was a black man in 1990 you couldnt tear this album away from me
Bitches.Hoes. Guns. There ya go … that’s the album. Saved you a listen
not really for me. like Dylan, i recognize the talent & skill, but I"m not gonna listen to it. THat said, I'd listen to it before Dylan.
Unfortunately i watched the War Of The Worlds version starring a wooden Ice Cube recently and couldn't seem to get that out of my head whilst listening to this, so it all sounds a bit one toned and wooden plus dubious lyrically.
I started out enjoying the aggressive flows of this album, but before long it all seemed to sound too similar. Nothing in the way of absolute standout tracks for me, can’t think of any particularly memorable moments, and as you might have guessed with a rap album of this era far too long with far too many pointless skits. There’s an entire genre here that is crying out for a directors cut series to erase all the skits and the filler tracks to deliver solid albums of around 45 minutes in length. It’s not aged well musically, the beats sound dated, and certainly hasn’t aged well in terms of the misogynistic lyrics. I was hoping for more.
Ice Cube is a good writer, but his first solo venture is flat, the backing tracks and lack of rotation hurt. A little long too and the lyrics are egregious, even if that's the point.
I see why it's in the list but the beats have dated badly and are a bit repetitive. And oh dear, the misogyny.
Man it sounds awesome, do not listen to the lyrics closely. You Can’t Fade Me is…a really disastrous song. Just reprehensible
The production was great, though the misogyny in this record was disgusting. Favourite Track(s): Turn Off The Radio Least Favourite Track(s): You Can't Fade Me/JD's Gaffilin', It's a Man's World
Det är Bomb squads produktion som är behållning annars är det inte mycket att skriva hem om. Kuben är ingen vidare rappare och hans ghettolyrik ofta direkt usel. Musikaliskt bäst blir det när det blir lite mjukare som i "You can't fade me" och "Once upon a time in the project" och energin i "The bomb" är svår att undkomma. Klarar tvåan
I didn’t mind this one at the start but it wore out its welcome fairly quickly. It’s nowhere near the worst rap album I’ve had so far but it just wasn’t for me. 576 albums in and you would think I would be in the habit of checking if there are bonus songs or not. I really liked a track called The Product so thought happy days at least that’s one really good one. Then realised it’s a bonus so I can’t count it.
I like his later music better. This lyrics on this album also does not age well
I’m always caught off guard by the open misogyny of gangsta era rap. Unfortunately, to appreciate this era you kind of have to ignore it. Once you’ve accepted that there’s going to be open calls for mistreatment of women, there’s some real life issues being discussed here. Unfortunately, I can’t really get past it.
eh I mean pretty good but like not my thing. idk if you can say its edginess but it is pretty unapologetically harsh
прослушал, отмучился, это был очередной, не лучший альбом для меня(
Another album that does nothing for me. Obviously a 62 year old white male in not the target audience.
2
Ice cubes melt at the album's duration. It was fine, nothing caught me too much (A Gangsta's Fairytale was fun, sounded like something that would have inspired Eminem).
In their original context, were people supposed to take the skits seriously? Like, did anyone in 1990 hear him being put in the electric chair and say “damn this dude is hard!”? I had the same question on the BIG album. Album is fine— i didn’t actively dislike any of it but it was of the variety where I checked several times how many tracks were left. Enjoyed Bomb Squad’s production + the PE features. Every sentence I increase or decrease my rating. Idk. I’m tired. It’s been a fucking long month, gang.
2.5
Sexism with cheap beats
While his comments on racism and politics were important, and actually needed, there is still too much gangsta bs, misogyny, and sexism on this that it is overall despicable.
misogynistic pig.... what was cool was on the 2nd last song there was a women spitting BARRSSSSSSSSS and putting him in his PLACE.
Well produced, but ultimately just typical misogynistic 90s hip hop. When it got to the bit about wanting to kill the mother of his possible child, I was out.
I have said my piece about this subject again and again.
I enjoyed the first track but it was all a bit samey after that. I’m really not the interested in his dick either!
Hah. This one doesn’t age well
Not for me.
Immer noch kein Fan von 90s Hip Hop
This album is well done, but the sound is a bit dated now and even some contemporary reviews acknowledge that the album's treatment of women was dated even when it came out. But the political message is sadly still relevant and it is a very sharp album in a lot of parts.
Ok album. Backing tracks of 90s rap are always great remixs.
Repetition
Pretty one note, got old quick
First and last time listening to the album as a whole. Not my thing personally. I can see why it's was influential, but more historically important than need to listen to as an album. A few songs would be enough to get the message across. 0 songs added to playlist.
Baustelle, Gerstetten, Deutschland. Nicht so meins.
Do rappers get paid for how many N-bombs & bitches they drop? It has occurred to me that Ganster Rap may have some satirical elements to it. Stupidly, this has never occurred to me. Cube's flow is fine. I just don't care for anything he is talking about except for when he's talking about the black man's plight. I may have to rethink the way I listen to rap. 2
The lyrics have not aged well on this and it's pretty tough to listen to at times.
Maybe the anger clearly present in this - which resonated with a mainstream audience - tells you a bit about America and American society got where it is today. Maybe I'm overthinking things. I find this tough to listen to in 2026 because of that aggressiveness more than because it's a genre that isn't my cuppa.
Ice Cube is a pioneer of West Coast hip hop, and there are some great beats on this just like on NWA's records. But the misogyny here is just evil. Can't understand how he raps about how hard it is to be Black in America, yet can't see that Black women have it even harder. He's tried to defend himself by separating what he calls 'bitches and hos' from respectable women, but seems like bullshit to me, he's just a prick. Spends way way more time punching down than delivering any kind of 'fuck the police' message. Bleak listening
Está bien
Feels like a weird limbo point in hip hop history between Straight Outta Compton and The Chronic where it made sense for members of NWA and Public Enemy to work together. It's odd and I can't say I enjoyed much of it. Apologies to O'Shea. In three short years, the Lakers will beat the Supersonics and inspire a song that's a million times better than anything on here.
This is from the era of "mad at the man" Ice Cube which has its moments, but I think it worked better with NWA. The message is pretty clear even though he hammers it over and over again. When he went into "Family Movies" Ice Cube and was dropping club bangers in the 2000s it was way more what I know him for and appreciate.
Pretty one note and this album doesn’t even You Can Do It so who cares
2/5, lite väl grova texter även för min smak. Sjukt att Ice Cubes rapkarriär inte varit ett större hinder i hans skådesspelande
Pretty disappointed by this one.
Better than Ice T
Ah not really my kinda thing. The misogyny is a bit off putting for me. He has a lot a presence though and I love the story telling with the spoken word pieces
No va
meh
Not for me.
His solo stuff isn’t great
Best Track - "The Nigga Ya Love To Hate"
Ehhh so vulgar/violent…
Again, i would have liked this 10 years ago
Meh. Feel like I’m from south central after listening to that
Well, this one made me think, anyway. Not a fan of violence or anger or braggadocio, and kind of wish he hadn't made this, or that it hadn't found success, because I don't think (though how to know?) that it made things better (except MAYBE for black Americans, especially young black men - but I kinda doubt it). And impossible not to wonder: how pure were his motives? Because anger as cool is an easy sell. But, even assuming his motives were good/pure (i.e., not just trying to get easy money), I have a lot of doubt about whether this album made things better - and suspect that it might have contributed in a small way to making things worse. Oh, wait, this is music? Right, sorry, forgot! Musically, it's catchy, some of it, but simple and repetitive, and definitely don't need to hear a whole album of it. I wonder (as ever, but here more than some) what you guys make of it. Maybe if I'd been 10 years younger when it came out . . . . But, nah, I don't think I was ever gonna go for anger or violence or braggadocio. As music - it's almost more like poetry with rhythmic accompaniment, plus sound affects and sound collage/dialogue samples. But his grating voice turns me off. I'm tempted to give it 3 stars, because it was . . . influential? . . . but that feels like an easy out. Gonna risk being an old man (a privileged older white male), and give it 2 stars, because, as a record album, as music, I did not enjoy it (other than the beats, which were catchy, although simple).
The album started strong. I like the first beat, the energy that he brought, and the theatrical bits throughout, but I got tired as it went along. I think there's a consciousness about it, but there's too much negativity, particularly towards women that gets tiresome. My favorite aspect of the album is probably the humor. Second to that is the production of the beats and third is the rapping cadence which has aged better than most others from the time.
I appreciate it but I don’t think I’ll delisted
If you're going to tolerate all the slur, sexism and misogynism you at least need to compensated with some juicy beats. This record doesn't exactly do that. In the end it just feels dated and forgettable. Not impressed!
Ice cube has some really good songs, sadly none of them are on this album. I get what he was going for, being angry at everything. But without good beats and inspiring lyrics what you’re left with is just misogyny and foul words. His flow is usually good but that is the only good thing I’ve got to say.
Beats are interesting, but ultimately sounds dated and repetitive. Tough to get through.
2.5 I really enjoyed the other Ice Cube album I got - I felt the rapping was solid and the hooks were there. This is missing some of that “memorability.” It’s fine, his rapping is fine. But there’s not much to grab onto after the songs are done. They just kinda bleed into one another. Also that one song with the female rapper is super duper misogynistic, even beyond the normal realms of 90s rap lol. Like, dude sounds like he has a personal problem with her.
Not finishing this
I like other hip hop albums of the time, not this.
Not for me
Gear: Abyss DIANA MR Artwork: 😠🖤🏙️ Production: 🥩😲👌 Music: 🧊🕰️😩 Rating: 👻👻(👻)/5
Everyone's got a mother, grow up (and put a Johnny on)
This guy was so good in Law & Order SVU!!
Never cared for this one. I'd just listen to NWA instead
I dunno, kinda boring. Ice Cube sounds the same on every song
2,5
At first I thought that I like this but after reading how misogynistic it is I have to change my mind.
appreciated the social commentary but not something i would listen to regularly.
Saved? ❌ Would listen again? 🤔 Would recommend to anyone? ❌ Would buy on Vinyl? ❌
A faixa titulo é foda, o resto é menos. A misoginia dos anos 90 é um pouco demais também.
The beats are good. Ice Cube does well to challenge the life of young black men in the projects. The machismo and sexism is a major negative. The rapping lacks variety and the words aren’t that inventive.
Not great
some clever raps, but really wasn't my thing. definition of a 2.5
Favorite: It's a man's world
lyrics were creative and I could understand, although some I didn't really want to know.
2+ Stars (6/15)
Sorry, Mr Cube, for what the world has done to you and your kin. However, I don't want this amount of anger in my ears.
not the worst, not the best
Not for me
didn't do much for me
The flow and voice were above par for the period. The content of the lyrics isn't very tasteful.
The beats are great, but repetitive. It’s early hip hop, and it has that classic hip hop scratch and loop style that you can just bop to for an hour. But the raps are just so monotonous and the rhymes are sometimes forced. Feels like it was not yet established what it meant to have artful flow.
Nice samples and beats, real old-school sounds, and solid rapping, but extreeeemely repetitive.
Don’t like NWA so why would I like Ice Cube.
Album 47 1 bearable track off the album: Better Off Dead Nah. Important conversations about racism, violence, and the effects of growing up/being constantly subjected to those things. I understand why it's an important album. The misogyny was Much.
it's obvious that Cube wrote a number of these songs for Eazy-E. It's not a proper example of Cube's voice as a rapper, unlike his later albums. Best song: Who's the Mack?
5/10
While I certainly don't mind a sharp, witty and rough-around-the-edges rap album, this one is just really a bit too much in all directions. It's taking its anger a bit too far, using too many profane words to the point of them losing their effect. It just isn't that great to me, Ice Cube has done much better. 2/5
I enjoy listening to a couple of songs at a time, but 71 minutes straight is just painful.
I liked track 2 mainly cause of the energy but this isn’t for me. Good beats and flow but the lyrics have aged poorly to say the least
noioso
While i like and appreciate a lot of early hip hop this album didn't hit for me. That happens from time to time when an album focuses a lot on lyrics and a message in a language that isn't my first language like this. It was stilla fun listen but not songs I will come back to.
Kind of irritating sound/vocals.
this had so much potential but I can't see past the relentless misogyny. Like even if it is just part of the tuff guy persona it's not tuff to just horrifically hate women and constantly call them bitches and hoes. It's so ironic that one of the biggest themes of the album is how black people and communities are oppressed and then the other theme is about oppressing women. Really ruins the album
Didn't age very well, sounds pretty dated
It sounded ok but I’m not sure an album can be considered great just because it sounds ok. Didn’t engage with it much but I appreciate there will be others finding this much more agreeable than I did.
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
All I got is an angry middle-aged man shouting the n word as often as he can.
Not the best Ice Cube album
Social commentary.
Some tracks on this album are great with important themes, other tracks not so. But the relentless swearing and references to his genitals become numbing and meaningless, nothing more than a verbal tic. I am glad I have listened to it and can see why it is on the list, but it could have been so much more. Will I listen to any of it again? Unlikely. A strong 2.
cubes first solo album, it was okay didnt really care for the lyricism
I agree with the haters
Lyrics go hard. I get the message. Definitely not for me
I was generated this around a week after the Ice T record from the same era. While Cube is generally regarded as having the better flow and natural talent I found the misogyny on display here pretty appalling. While Ice T did use derogatory terms for women in some of the tracks, it didn't feel as gratuitous as it does here. He seems obsessed with the idea that young women want to get pregnant to trap him, completely overlooking the part of himself, the male, in the procreation process.
2.5 It’s supposed to be in your face and uncomfortable. And Ice Cube definitely kills it if you can bear his beyond gritty and abrasive lyrics. At least you get lyrics that are clear and will challenge you and aren’t mumbling all about fuck bitches, get money, violence, drugs. While these topics are touched on, it feels more like a report of what’s going on by an angry, articulate, and very observant brother. Also gotta respect the production by the Bomb Squad.
12 year old me rocked with this album quite a bit. It's not aged well. I think the cultural and artistic implications of this album cannot be ignored because I realize a lot of the content was aimed at supporting black men. But some of the things sad about (black) women here is pretty terrible. Cubes pen game is pretty elite and feel like the attacks on women here cheapen that some 35 years later.
Not so much.
The amount of pearl clutching in these other reviews "muh misogyny!" you didn't actually listen to the album. It's still shit though; Hip-hop will always be shit.
I mean, I understand why this is on the list, but I was ready to be done listening 10 minutes in. Fortunately the beats keep it interesting through the rest of the album if I kind of zoned out on Cube.
Meant to scare those in power but simultaneously places a boot on the neck of women in order to do it.
there is something that, in retrospect, is so *goofy* about this, that people were ever scared of rap, that it kinda kicked me in the stomach to hear about kicking pregnant women in the stomach. why that's more visceral to me than the murder and other stuff, i'll never know. anyway.
lot of complaining about pregnancy and STDs and fear of being the loser in a situation for a guy who could put a condom on at literally any time and keeps self owning instead Endangered Species was pretty decent but I'm relieved he moved on to acting
6 so 2/5
I listened to the original release (16 tracks). This seems good for a hip hop album, and has a lot of energy. It’s difficult for me to relate to the messages here and the 90’s urban black lifestyle, however (lots of violence).
Good album cover; I'd read your 'zine, Ice Cube. But I won't listen to your album again, even though the tracks are perfectly serviceable... minus the lyrics, which to be fair, is at least half of this whole rap thing, surely? Not just the form (slur count = 113) but also the content is pretty offensive. It's too bad that all the "America is racist" tracks are so often combined with what feels like mandatory misogyny. The genre has evolved on this front (a little bit) since 1990, at least. The track with Yo-Yo ('It's a Man's World') almost makes things worse because it's like, yes, Cube is self-aware and happy about it. Apropos of nothing, he really like S-P-E-L-L-I-N-G things! Non-slur lowlight: the high frequency hearing test noises throughout 'Endangered Species (Tales from the Darkside)' !! Linguistic intrigue: the line "if I look and see another brother/On the video trying to out-dance each other"; I always wondered where "mack" came from so I finally looked it up after hearing 'Who's the mack?', and it's a clipping of "mackerel" (meaning "pimp", not "fish")! Vocal intrigue: the outro of 'AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted' (the song) and the Ricky Harris(?) bit on 'Turn Off the Radio' (which was supposed to be an "obvious imitation of Arsenio Hall" per some guy online) sound so much like the "Invocation For Judgement Against And Destruction of Rock Music"! Code-switching to the "laughable white declaration" voice??
Just too many songs.....not his best.
Not really my thing. I just don't like rap all that much, though I can appreciate their appeal for some.
2.5 meh
Solid beats, good flow, phenomenal production.
No private session used for Spotify. I did enjoy this music; however the use of the n word, misogyny, and homophobia makes it uncomfortable to listen to. I get it, it's not for me.
Good. I knew some of it in passing. But full of words and hard to take a lot of it in one sitting. It could be that it's because I'm in my 50s.
Der er sange som er fine. Men orker det bare ikke som et album..
Mere jeg-har-en-stor-pistol-og-en-endnu-større-pik rap
Firstly, I don't care about what people deem offensive or not. Giving something a 1 because of offensive lyrics is silly. In Ice Cube you have a proven fake gangster who ditched rapping and started acting the second he got a chance and didn't look back. Having listened to some of the most important 'gangsta rap' albums I'm finding 95% of these guys are cardboard gangsters and they seem to end up harming their communities more than helping. The 'gansta rap' genre is a joke and this album is super dated and cringey. 2/5.
Really not my thing, just don't get it. 😕
Aaaah yes hahaaaaaa yes. The Chief baby. Aaaah yes
Because of this list I have listened to more rap than I'd ever choose. It seems to me the genre is mostly black men preaching about politics and society to their community and a bunch of white, suburban wannabes. I totally feel that - but I find a great irony in that four of the five most successful (black) rappers I know of leaned into the racist stereotypes employed against them, and all five, once successful enough, signed big contracts with corporate film/TV producers and hardly rapped another word. Two, in fact, are now big right wingers. What money can do, eh? So, enough about the genre - this album, for me, is repetitive, boring junk - Cube's a pretty good actor, though!
There is much to criticize and the album really doesn't deserve to write it all down.
Some songs are still relevant today as they were in the early nineties but the ones about women are awful and misogynistic I’m afraid
Feeling proud that I listened to the whole thing. This is not my preferred genre and while I recognize the talent, the violent misogynistic lyrics are really hard to take.
Misogyny aside, this album is very tiresome. Unlike Death Certificate, the denseness of the rapping became overwhelming. It’s a far cry from It Was s Good Day.
It's pretty theatrical. Hard to believe how seriously people took the gangster rap panic. Also a reminder of how much G-Funk changed things a couple of years later. It's fine, but Public Enemy exists.
Lyrical genius
Another album to cement my opinion that west coast >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> east coast rap
I must say I miss NWA. The Ice Cube sound is one-note, mechanical, repetitive. To me boring. I find little engaging here.
Good beats but I can’t get on with this too well.
Monotonous and boring
Irrationally angry and violent
I’m more of an Ice T dude I guess.
I liked some of the beats at the start but that trailed off. Lyrics didn’t do anything for me. I’m not the target audience here Rating: 2.1
Just too one dimensional and samey for me.
I guess this was pretty iconic back in the day, but it is a strage listen more than thirty years later, particularly in light of Ice Cube's career trajectory after the fact. Sonically, it's got it's moments, although it's difficult to tell if this was something really new or the sounds of the times. Aside from NWA, I would be curious if removing Ice Cube from the music industry really would have changed much. Also, the repugnant, clumsy sexism is really grating, and I feel like an album half as long would've made the same point. One extra point for grooving pretty hard, but otherwise, replaceable.
Ice Cube breaks off from N.W.A. and just goes off. Props for jetting from LA to New York to link up with the Bomb Squad and their wall-of-sound chaos. It’s powerful and furious, more mission than melody, and opposite of subtle.
A los blancos nos da miedo escucharlo, es aburrido sin las letras.
It's hard to offend me but this record did it. Ice Cube never sounds cool or clever in my opinion. The lyrics about fucking bitches and discarding them or wanting to hurt them are delivered with seemingly no tongue in cheek or even creativity. There's no turn of phrase or metaphor going on and I didn't catch an overall message. All of these hyperbolic stories seem to be there to make you think Ice Cube is cool, but it mostly just makes me disgusted. And seeing as he is now the star of shitty movies and procedural crime dramas, the stories also just ring very false. It really could be that I'm missing some implicit storytelling or commentary but I don't think I care to listen more to catch it. Also NWA had way cooler beats on their tracks.
Gangsta rap, again
Real good flow. That's about the only good thing I can say about this album. It started out fun, but got old real quick. Half the songs sound the same. I don't even want to address the lyrics on some tracks or Ice's hypocrisy. I had high hopes as it is considered a classic, but it failed to impress and that's going to hurt the rating.
Like every 90s hip-hop album it was too long and full of cringey mysogyny, but also has some great beats.
Not my thing.
I get why its on here... It's an important album. But, dang... every song sounds the same after some time. And holy misogyny.
Bomb Squad > Dre The production is star here, providing enough creative charisma to outshine Ice Cube and all his energy. Great sound, great lines - but it very much so stays in its sonic lane. The lyrics themselves range from witty insights into the ground-level view on oppression, to violent misogyny - what lands is great, what doesn't is very off-putting.... Naturally, the best verse is Chuck D. Favourite tracks: Once Upon A Time In The Projects, Turn Off The Radio
It became an agonizing listen too quickly, and I couldn't wait for it to end
i got Ice Cube fatigue quite early on in this tbh :(
i didn't hate this one but can't say i really enjoyed it
hmm, again not for me. but a good example of the genre from back in the day
A bit tooo crass for my taste sadly. Love the beats but struggled with the lyrics
Wasn't feeling it
Surprised I actually enjoyed this one a lot more than I was expecting. I actually really enjoyed the "ugly" beats and samples; the backing tracks almost remind me of industrial music at times. Ice Cube's rapping is definitely angry, but I dug it. The political songs are still relevant and important, but the misogyny has aged incredibly poorly. Also, I've said it before, but I can't stand Flavor Flav.
I respect it, but never jelled with this 90s gangster rap. I would have been in high school when this came out and had friends that were into it so I heard this album a bit. Never drew me in though.
I LOVE the old beats on this album. Old-school gangsta rap has some of the best when it comes to the funky, soul beats... but the tough guy schtick is pretty tired.
Not my kinda rap unfortunately. I like my Ice Cubes and my Ice T’s in movies and shows :p
Lite enformigt
Controversial for a reason. Saying things that needed to be said and made public information. Especially in white America. But, also its juvenille and tiresome. An HOUR of Ice Cubes monotone rap delivery. Early hip hop production takes so much away from this body of work also. Ice is the 90s gangster rap version of LL Cool J. Kinda lame by todays standards. But, influential and important. Progressive too.
The beats and samples under this were really good, but the lyrical content was pretty much what I would expect
On one hand, this album is clearly immensely influential to future rap albums. A lot of the lyrics have aged terribly, the beats are dated and monotonous. "It's a Man's World" is straight Cringe.
Ah, Mr Cube. I put you off for a few days because, bluntly, I was feeling too overwrought for no real reason to contend with what you're offering me. When I got round to it, it was...fine. It was OK to hear the backing - and at times downright good to hear it. The rapping is crystal clear. Sadly that means you're left in no doubt that, yes, he really is having a good old laugh about kicking pregnant women and so on. Many minus points for that.
Here we are. Another hip-hop album in the recent gauntlet that has been inflicted upon me. This isn't in the top 20, so I remain at having heard 10 of the best hip-hop albums on the site. I know Ice Cube was with NWA, though I'm not too knowledgeable about his contributions to the band, or what his voice even sounds like. Guess I'm going into this one blind, though if I'm to take a guess I'm expecting more gangsta rap. Hmm, yeah. Not for me, though I can appreciate the instrumentals. Very early 90s, turntable sounds and all. As for everything else, the lyrics are generally pretty eyeroll-inducing and the songwriting drags in many places, making the listening experience slow to a crawl. I'm also not too fond of the vocals. The shouting, bombastic tone is very much in-line with the style of this genre, but it's a little too much for me. There admittedly isn't much which sticks out to me about this album. I like the brief interlude on "Endangered Species". "Who's the Mack?" has an interesting sound. I wasn't expecting the album to pivot toward a funk sound, though it works well enough. I also dig the pan flute whichappears in the middle of the song. "It's a Man's World" is amusing, I won't lie. The lo-fi sound at the beginning of the track was quite nice. It hurts that it was so abruptly taken away from me, but in all fairness that's part of the fake-out. I'm gonna consult the book for why this is in here. Produced by Public Enemy's longtime producer. "Cube often belies his talent as a lyricist by writing gangsta garbage". Not sure how to feel about that comment. I'm not sold on this yet - I'm switching over to Wikipedia. Very warmly received by critics, with many placements on "best album" lists. This album also appears to have had an influence on other rap artists. I'm no authority on hip-hop, but this seems like a decent pick. I can cosign this inclusion.
Not my vibe.
Half way through this I thought, "Are We There Yet"? In all honesty, Cube misses the mark on about every metric I check for rap albums. His flow isn't versatile, he isn't leaning fully into the descriptive world of Compton rappers because he's dabbling with some prescriptive themes, but also it isn't cerebral enough to fully lean into the conscious rap category. The inconsistencies of critiquing the state of law enforcement and white neighborhoods for not caring about crime in black neighborhoods but also playing the role of the villain consistently throughout his career is hard for me to reconcile. I think the strength of the album is the storytelling, but the number of logical inconsistencies in his reasoning is maddening. I'm not here to critique the man's thought process on his own lived experience, but also to argue that you shouldn't fuck with a woman from the projects because she got you arrested even though you admitted that you have a warrant out is just base level processing. Also why does Cube always complain about not being played by radios and then write music that could literally never be played on the radio? Like maybe if he was writing conscious rap that wasn't glorifying forced abortions. And how can he consistently judge these women for getting pregnant but have a song about rawdogging a girl? These are the reasons why I don't listen to Cube - that being said, this album still has plenty to lean on, including some good old school beats, a good flow that just gets old after the first few songs, some clever rhymes, and some interesting observations about growing up in Compton. 2/5
Quite tuneful for the genre, but I still struggle with rap / hip hop. The obligatory N*ggas, mutha f*clerks are here in plenty, embellished with a liberal smattering of b*tches. I find it all pretty difficult to relate to
There’s things to like on this album. His wordplay is creative and there’s clearly talent in the production. When he’s writing about social issues it’s on point. But, the misogyny and harshness of the language is just too much to make it an enjoyable album to listen to.
I've given Ice Cube praise on previous reviews but my patience ran out with this one. Never rated the Bomb Squad's production style and I didn't find too much to admire in Cube's lyrics on this occasion.
Well shit. This wasn't what I was expecting to write here. Its good in a way. But its nowhere near new and exciting. The biggest problem with this album is it just harps on nwa every single chance it gets. With similar beats and flows and even samples from songs they put out the year prior. Like damn ice get ur own thing going here, dont just coast on nwa forever. Its disappointing for sure. But if you liked nwa your getting more of the same and thats a plus if in that camp. I love straight outta Compton and should like this but id just rather listen to soc every time. There are a few tracks on the backend that start to try something new but its just too little too late unfortunately. Decent record but it should be so much more than we got
#640. I think i expected more? This disnt really do anything for me. 2/5: meh
Some of the messages age incredibly poorly (misogyny) and some are just as relevant as ever (racism, abuse of power). Energetic, some cool beats. Nothing I'm likely to come back to.
I wish I could hear the backing tracks without the backwardness and misogyny.
classic 90s hip hop, but it was a bit repetitive, all songs sounded the same
Hip hop. Can't really connect
Yeah, I know I’m very much not the target audience for this so I’m probably missing the point he is trying to make. Not for me. I found spotting the samples quite entertaining though. Wanted to stop and go and listen to some Betty Davis. And why are the rap records always sooo long? They really do love the sound of their own voices
The Good: We get an ice-cube, and that is appreciated as it’s summertime and hot as hell! The Bad: The ice cube just kinda melted… The Ugly: Me melting as the ice cube did not manage to cool me off! Maybe, just maybe, the whole term Ice Cube has nothing to do with cooling things off, instead of irritating people when it starts to melt? What? I like Ice Cube, as an actor… and he’s had some good tunes too… just not this stuff… which get’s on ones’ nerve after a while. But then again, that is what Hip Hop does to me in general, so I should not bitch. I do always find it interesting though to listen to ‘90s hippidy-hop-you-don’t-stop as it is a stark reminder that certain musical waves should just be avoided at all cost… Also, where my ho at? I need some food and a refreshing drink… 2*, because I’m gangsta like that
Pretty much the exact type of rap I am not a fan of. Record scratches and rhymes that are spat right at you. Not god awful, but I probably wont listen to it again. Best: The Bomb Worst: You Can't Fade Me/JD's Gaffilin'
Ok
2 - the songs highlighting black oppression were good but the rest was extreme misogyny
You mean to tell me the guy from the 2007 hit family comedy "Are We There Yet?" put out a rap album? (Just kidding, I promise!) Ice Cube was obviously a huge part of the "gangsta rap" movement from the late 80s and early 90s with his part in N.W.A. That said, I always thought his lyrics were weaker than most of the rest of the group, and just never really enjoyed his stuff as much as Dre or Eazy-E. This album is well produced and has a good range where it doesn't just sound like the same sound over and over which plagued a lot of albums from this era. There are definitely worse rappers, but I personally think it was probably best that he put more focus into acting as he got older. I'm obviously not the target market for this album, and wasn't when it came out either. It's not a bad album but not my favorite.
Didn't click with this, a bit of a struggle for me, hasn't aged well either
Pre-listening thoughts: uh oh… heard this one was pretty misogynistic Post/during listening thoughts: “I’m thinking to myself why did I bang her / now I’m in the closet looking for a hanger” genuinely made me put this album down. In a bad way. This was after like eight other “she’s my bitch and she’s easy” type lines. This is why Sabrina Carpenter’s album cover is getting backlash lowkey like what was she thinking 😭 3/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: bro idk Least fav tracks: if he was rapping in simlish then it would be okay
Yeah...this was fine in the 90s culture. it's not cool anymore. Il
Rather outdated musically but really outdated lyrically.
I like NWA but this... no. Too monotonous and not creative enough.
Ice Cube used the word dick so much he had to resort to 'ding-a-ling' instead. 2/5
Für RAP ok. Ist aber nicht meine Musikrichtung. 2/5
The beat is pretty good, but the lyrics of more than half of the songs are just horrible
While there are a lot of positives. There are alot of negatives 1 skits. Stop putting unfunny skits on rap albums. Even if they were funny, dont put them on an album. It's a waste of time, it inflates the length by a stupid amount 2 too many of the songs are about having sex with Ice Cube, something I have no interest in Some of its good, but during the first listen, the idea of a second listen exhausted me
It's not a bad hip hop record, but nowadays those mysoginistic lyrics are a bit overwhelming and problematic.
Not one I enjoyed.
Solid flow and some interesting sampling/beats but it lacked the hooks in some of his other albums. The misogyny is also amped to a million here which detracts from the overall stories.
There's like 2 memorable tracks
Cubes voice and delivery are good, but the rhyme structure and lyrical content got boring fast.
I thought this was a bit uninspiring all over. Not the best and certainly dated.
Alright I guess. I'm a white dude from the PNW so I really can't relate to this material very well. I wouldn't know what qualifies this for the list of 1001 and I didn't really gain anything by listening through this.
Не дослушал. Как-то не пошло совсем.
It was fine, then it all started to sound the same…
Nope. Not for me.
lyrics didn't age well and there's not much range. really repetitive.
Not my kind of music.
Not a vibe. His points are lost in a flurry of sexist slurs.
I thought I’d like this more than I did. Ice Cube’s flow feels repetitive. It’s always the same relentless flow, delivered in the same shouted tone. The misogyny on a lot of these songs made things worse. The beats are a mix of N.W.A. g-funk, with some Public Enemy maximalism on other tracks. The music is strong. I just don’t love being in the company of Ice Cube for this long.
Not sure what the obsession is with dicks and ball sacks. Some serious Dick bingo going on. Not a G and dont listen to rap so cant really appreciate this style of music. I also dont hate the po, dont own a gun and not yet been in the crate. I think a good rapper but not relating to the style, the content or the music.
Why is there more than one Ice Cube album on this list?
I can’t stand early rap any more
Well... The backing tracks were brilliant and I really like the cadence of the rapping. But I just can't get past the lyrics. It's like an Andrew Tate fever dream, just awful. By the time it reached the duet where he was being misogynistic but Yo-Yo got the last word everytime felt like he knew he was doing it but he did it anyway. Gah.
Bruh I can't give an album that includes a track about kicking a pregnant woman in the stomach in order to avoid paying child support anything higher than this. This isn't even mentioning It's A Mans World. Some of a lot of the tracks on this are really good, but Ice Cube comes across as a massive c***