West Coast Connection Forum
DUBCC - Tha Connection => West Coast Classics => Topic started by: Laconic on May 17, 2010, 07:12:58 AM
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http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=79574
Ice Cube, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted Retrospective [20 Years Later]
(http://www.xxlmag.com/online/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/amerikkkasmostwantedfront.jpg)
Twenty years ago today, Ice Cube dropped his classic debut, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted. Following an abrupt split from N.W.A, the West Coast MC headed to New York in search of a new sound and wound up connecting with Public Enemy’s production team, Bomb Squad, which resulted in a musical combination that shook up the hip-hop world. Here, Cube retells the story of how it all came to be.
“You know, I had went to New York, back and forth with N.W.A, and ended up being real cool with [then-Def Jam executives] Russell [Simmons] and Lyor [Cohen]. And they would have me come down to Rush [Management Offices] and I would fuck with some of the biggest names in hip-hop at the time. EPMD came through; you’d see everybody walking through. From a person who was a hip-hop fan and then became entrenched in hip-hop as an artist it was cool to do. So when I went solo, I was like I wanted Dr. Dre to do AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, but Jerry Heller vetoed that. So since he vetoed that shit—and I’m pretty sure Eazy didn’t want Dre to do it. But Dre did want to do it; we gotta put that on record. Dre wanted to do my record, but it was just too crazy with the break-up of [N.W.A]. The break-up snowballed into some shit. I was talking to Lyor because I wanted Sam Sever [to produce my album]. Sam Sever did all the 3rd Bass shit and their beats were the shit at the time. So I went out to New York looking for Sam Sever [and] the muthafucka didn’t show up to the meeting. So I’m out in New York like, ‘This muthafucka!’ So I’m mad now, but I ain’t trippin’. I’m up at Def Jam, so I ain’t trippin’.
I see Chuck D in the hallway, he’s like, ‘Yo, what you doin’ out here?’ You know I had consulted with Chuck before I broke up with N.W.A, so he had advised me on a lot of shit. [Actually] I ain’t gonna say he advised me on a lot of shit, we had one or two phone calls where I can vent to him and he would hear me out. So anyway I told him what I was doing, that I left the group and I was tryin’ to work on my record. He was like, ‘Yo, come talk to [Bomb Squad producer] Hank Shocklee, we over here at Greene Street Studios and we’re working on this song with Kane called ‘Burn Hollywood Burn’, do you want to be on it?’ I’m like, What? So that’s how that shit came together.
So I show up in the studio. It’s Chuck there, it’s P.E., dudes from Stetsaonic is there and shit, ya know, Daddy-O… Big Daddy Kane. You know, it was hip-hop royalty coming through. We out there doin’ ‘Burn, Hollywood, Burn.’ Hank comes; Hank, Keith Shocklee’s there, Eric Sadler; we all there and then I just start tellin’ them the story of what happened with N.W.A and that they caught wind that I was coming out to New York to do my album and everybody [in N.W.A] laughed [at me]. And when I said that they laughed at the fact that I came out to New York to get my album done. Something in Hank’s eyes turned on, like, ‘They laughed?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘We’ll do your whole album if you want us to.’” —As Told to Rob Markman
Look for the Making of Ice Cube’s AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted in the June 2010 issue of XXL, which drops nationwide May 25th.
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I find it hard to believe that Cube would really have a hard time understanding why Heller or Eazy would make this decision. Cube left the group, so of course the former members weren't going to be chomping at the bit to help out his career. At any rate, he should be happy. The album still turned out good, even without Dre's involvement.
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very dope
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sick read thx g...
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they caught wind that I was coming out to New York to do my album and everybody [in N.W.A] laughed [at me]. And when I said that they laughed at the fact that I came out to New York to get my album done. Something in Hank’s eyes turned on, like, ‘They laughed?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘We’ll do your whole album if you want us to.’”
;D
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cant believe its been 20 years!
looking forward to reading the special in full.
imo jinx and the bomb squad laced that album better than dre would have done in any case...
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sick read thx g...
You're welcome.
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So I show up in the studio. It’s Chuck there, it’s P.E., dudes from Stetsaonic is there and shit, ya know, Daddy-O… Big Daddy Kane. You know, it was hip-hop royalty coming through. We out there doin’ ‘Burn, Hollywood, Burn.’ Hank comes; Hank, Keith Shocklee’s there, Eric Sadler; we all there and then I just start tellin’ them the story of what happened with N.W.A and that they caught wind that I was coming out to New York to do my album and everybody [in N.W.A] laughed [at me]. And when I said that they laughed at the fact that I came out to New York to get my album done. Something in Hank’s eyes turned on, like, ‘They laughed?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘We’ll do your whole album if you want us to.’” —As Told to Rob Markman
see that´s the ny mentaly right there...
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Would definitely have been interesting not only to hear how the final product came out but the way it would have worked for Dre also.
Either way, the album is perfect the way it is
It would be quite interesting to take some Dre instrumentals from the time (non N.W.A. if possible) and try to blend them with AMW acapellas
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Label faggots like Jerry Heller have ruined tons of other projects / collabos that could've taken place.
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Can't complain, Great Album.
THX for the read.... 20YRS old :o
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i remember when cube said this back then yea, heller was mad cube didnt fall for them wack ass contracts....i def wouldnt had minded for dre all over that album but its still a classic regardless
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Lol so the Bomb Squad produced it out of spite for the West Coast artists laughing at them more than anything else, crack up...
Woulda been cool if Dre did it, but it turned out a classic anyway so no loss
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Good read, props. I always wonder what the album would have sounded like if Dre had produced it. Amerikkka's Most Wanted was a classic but looking back some of the beats are a little outdated. The ish Dre was doing at the same time though had more lasting appeal, at least imo.
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Good read, props. I always wonder what the album would have sounded like if Dre had produced it. Amerikkka's Most Wanted was a classic but looking back some of the beats are a little outdated. The ish Dre was doing at the same time though had more lasting appeal, at least imo.
No doubt, I reckon that can be said with all of Dre's production when you compare it to the majority of beats around at the time. Doggystyle still sounds fresh today
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Well seeing as Dre had produced the Doc's album the year before and his work on Above the Law and 100s Mile and Runnin EP was pretty brilliant I imagine he would have produced a classic.
Yes the album that came out is an undeniable classic (although not as good as DC imo) I can't help but feel Dre beats would have lasted the test of time better and offered a diverse sound.
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Are we going to get a snoop dogg approved version now?
Anyways, didn't Ice Cube say "Back then there were only 2 producers worth fucking with, Dre & The Bomb Squad. And since I couldn't get dre I went to the bomb squad" or something similar. It was in the biography in the vol. 2 booklet.
Isn't this telling a different story?
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So I show up in the studio. It’s Chuck there, it’s P.E., dudes from Stetsaonic is there and shit, ya know, Daddy-O… Big Daddy Kane. You know, it was hip-hop royalty coming through. We out there doin’ ‘Burn, Hollywood, Burn.’ Hank comes; Hank, Keith Shocklee’s there, Eric Sadler; we all there and then I just start tellin’ them the story of what happened with N.W.A and that they caught wind that I was coming out to New York to do my album and everybody [in N.W.A] laughed [at me]. And when I said that they laughed at the fact that I came out to New York to get my album done. Something in Hank’s eyes turned on, like, ‘They laughed?’ I said, ‘Yeah.’ He said, ‘We’ll do your whole album if you want us to.’” —As Told to Rob Markman
see that´s the ny mentaly right there...
So true, ny is full of haters
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^ more like they felt overshadowed by the west at the time. Ruthless was at its peak
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sorry, but AMW would not have been as special if Dre produced it, it was already Source mag #1 album of all time
the eastcoast production help give it that special sound
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an ice cube album executive produced by dre in the early 90's would probably have been the best album ever
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it may not have that West feel like "Death..." production but damn this album is fucking remarkable so many artist have tried to follow its theme flow and creativity for their first album but this one is like watching a movie...not that cliche' shit Cube's lyrics can be thrown over production today and be fresh he put his pen to work a fucking dope album that will probably never be out done ... only a few have done it Snoop/Big/Dre/Nas but none again a year later with their sophomore album and before with a group...
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Shit. How different would it've been if Dre produced it. No doubt it woulda been a classic still.
it may not have that West feel like "Death..." production
That's because Death Cert. sampled Clinton p-funk.
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Why people on here keep saying if dre did the lp.it would have been this or that.bullshit, this lp.was great!!from top to bottom..cube made the wright move..classic.
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IF Heller did this, he was right, not cause Dre is like this or that, Because Amerikkka's... is a great record in this form.
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Why people on here keep saying if dre did the lp.it would have been this or that.bullshit, this lp.was great!!from top to bottom..cube made the wright move..classic.
I think what people are saying is that it woulda been a classic record no matter which path he chose.
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Why people on here keep saying if dre did the lp.it would have been this or that.bullshit, this lp.was great!!from top to bottom..cube made the wright move..classic.
I think what people are saying is that it woulda been a classic record no matter which path he chose.
now i can agree with that..cause we all was waiting for ice cube to drop something.
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props for posting this Laconic
Why people on here keep saying if dre did the lp.it would have been this or that.bullshit, this lp.was great!!from top to bottom..cube made the wright move..classic.
it's because people prefer Dre over the bomb squad
besides, i bet the album would have sold more if Dre was the producer
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cant believe its been 20 years!
looking forward to reading the special in full.
imo jinx and the bomb squad laced that album better than dre would have done in any case...
nothing was fucking with Dre's production back then son
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props for posting this Laconic
Why people on here keep saying if dre did the lp.it would have been this or that.bullshit, this lp.was great!!from top to bottom..cube made the wright move..classic.
it's because people prefer Dre over the bomb squad
besides, i bet the album would have sold more if Dre was the producer
Since when have you cared about sales Dre-Day :laugh:
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They had trax done during the NWA era when they was workin on DOC album!!!!! I was hopin that shit would've dropped but shit went bad thx Jerry ya bitch!!!!!
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They had trax done during the NWA era when they was workin on DOC album!!!!! I was hopin that shit would've dropped but shit went bad thx Jerry ya bitch!!!!!
still, if Jerry & Eazy hadn't been doing shady shit there probably would've never been a Death Row, Chronic, Snoop Dogg, etc
Why people on here keep saying if dre did the lp.it would have been this or that.bullshit, this lp.was great!!from top to bottom..cube made the wright move..classic.
it's because people prefer Dre over the bomb squad
besides, i bet the album would have sold more if Dre was the producer
Since when have you cared about sales Dre-Day :laugh:
aaahahaha
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great album. he didnt need dre for it
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They had trax done during the NWA era when they was workin on DOC album!!!!! I was hopin that shit would've dropped but shit went bad thx Jerry ya bitch!!!!!
still, if Jerry & Eazy hadn't been doing shady shit there probably would've never been a Death Row, Chronic, Snoop Dogg, etc
what shady shit? please don't back it up with rumours
They had trax done during the NWA era when they was workin on DOC album!!!!! I was hopin that shit would've dropped but shit went bad thx Jerry ya bitch!!!!!
still, if Jerry & Eazy hadn't been doing shady shit there probably would've never been a Death Row, Chronic, Snoop Dogg, etc
Why people on here keep saying if dre did the lp.it would have been this or that.bullshit, this lp.was great!!from top to bottom..cube made the wright move..classic.
it's because people prefer Dre over the bomb squad
besides, i bet the album would have sold more if Dre was the producer
Since when have you cared about sales Dre-Day :laugh:
aaahahaha
not sure why you're laughing cause Dre was popular as a producer back then.
anyway, i don't care about numbers myself, but i'm just saying that it would have been a good move from a marketing point of view to have Dre produce the whole album.
the label Cube was signed to cares about numbers.
and 'the' fans would get what they want: a Dre produced Ice Cube album, sounds like a win win situation to me.
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I find it hard to believe that Cube would really have a hard time understanding why Heller or Eazy would make this decision. Cube left the group, so of course the former members weren't going to be chomping at the bit to help out his career. At any rate, he should be happy. The album still turned out good, even without Dre's involvement.
Cube actually had the opportunity to drop a solo album under Ruthless (produced by Dre), but he ran away so if anything it's his fault.
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I find it hard to believe that Cube would really have a hard time understanding why Heller or Eazy would make this decision. Cube left the group, so of course the former members weren't going to be chomping at the bit to help out his career. At any rate, he should be happy. The album still turned out good, even without Dre's involvement.
Cube actually had the opportunity to drop a solo album under Ruthless (produced by Dre), but he ran away so if anything it's his fault.
I agree. Considering that he made the decision to leave one of the most popular rap groups out at the time, things ended up going well for Cube. He's had a great career. He shouldn't dwell on shit like this. Yeah, a Dr. Dre produced Ice Cube album would have been dope, but I don't see the point in blaming Jerry Heller for that never going down. I wouldn't doubt the Jerry Heller did tell Dre not to produce Cube's record, but can you really blame him? If people looked at that decision from a purely business stand point, and not just as fans, it would make sense.
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I find it hard to believe that Cube would really have a hard time understanding why Heller or Eazy would make this decision. Cube left the group, so of course the former members weren't going to be chomping at the bit to help out his career. At any rate, he should be happy. The album still turned out good, even without Dre's involvement.
Cube actually had the opportunity to drop a solo album under Ruthless (produced by Dre), but he ran away so if anything it's his fault.
I agree. Considering that he made the decision to leave one of the most popular rap groups out at the time, things ended up going well for Cube. He's had a great career. He shouldn't dwell on shit like this. Yeah, a Dr. Dre produced Ice Cube album would have been dope, but I don't see the point in blaming Jerry Heller for that never going down. I wouldn't doubt the Jerry Heller did tell Dre not to produce Cube's record, but can you really blame him? If people looked at that decision from a purely business stand point, and not just as fans, it would make sense.
you're right, but that's how Cube works.
after all these years, he's still shitting on Jerry Heller & he gets a pass for it.
you'd think he changed: i mean he got kids.
but he's not acting like a role model at all, when it comes to this issue
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I find it hard to believe that Cube would really have a hard time understanding why Heller or Eazy would make this decision. Cube left the group, so of course the former members weren't going to be chomping at the bit to help out his career. At any rate, he should be happy. The album still turned out good, even without Dre's involvement.
Cube actually had the opportunity to drop a solo album under Ruthless (produced by Dre), but he ran away so if anything it's his fault.
I agree. Considering that he made the decision to leave one of the most popular rap groups out at the time, things ended up going well for Cube. He's had a great career. He shouldn't dwell on shit like this. Yeah, a Dr. Dre produced Ice Cube album would have been dope, but I don't see the point in blaming Jerry Heller for that never going down. I wouldn't doubt the Jerry Heller did tell Dre not to produce Cube's record, but can you really blame him? If people looked at that decision from a purely business stand point, and not just as fans, it would make sense.
you're right, but that's how Cube works.
after all these years, he's still shitting on Jerry Heller & he gets a pass for it.
you'd think he changed: i mean he got kids.
but he's not acting like a role model at all, when it comes to this issue
I wouldn't necessarily say that he's shitting Heller with what he said in this. The article is the story of how the album came about and that's part of the story. But you guys are right, we can't be mad at Heller for saying no. Cube was basically an enemy to Ruthless and Dre worked for Ruthless. Jerry didn't want his artists playing both sides of the fence.
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I find it hard to believe that Cube would really have a hard time understanding why Heller or Eazy would make this decision. Cube left the group, so of course the former members weren't going to be chomping at the bit to help out his career. At any rate, he should be happy. The album still turned out good, even without Dre's involvement.
Cube actually had the opportunity to drop a solo album under Ruthless (produced by Dre), but he ran away so if anything it's his fault.
They wanted to sign him to a contract (the same kind of contract Suge had to threaten Eazy to let Dre out of). I can see why he didn't go for it. Though I read an interview with Ice Cube where he said he was still willing to work with them but they basically told him to fuck off. I see no reason why Dre couldn't have produced the project given that producers work on the projects of artists from other labels all the time.
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can you post a link to that interview?
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I find it hard to believe that Cube would really have a hard time understanding why Heller or Eazy would make this decision. Cube left the group, so of course the former members weren't going to be chomping at the bit to help out his career. At any rate, he should be happy. The album still turned out good, even without Dre's involvement.
Cube actually had the opportunity to drop a solo album under Ruthless (produced by Dre), but he ran away so if anything it's his fault.
They wanted to sign him to a contract (the same kind of contract Suge had to threaten Eazy to let Dre out of). I can see why he didn't go for it. Though I read an interview with Ice Cube where he said he was still willing to work with them but they basically told him to fuck off. I see no reason why Dre couldn't have produced the project given that producers work on the projects of artists from other labels all the time.
Sure, I agree that Dre could have produced for Cube's album. But put yourself in Jerry Heller's position. If you have 30 or so rap acts (give or take a few) signed to your record label, and you have to produce tracks for all of them, wouldn't it make more sense to have your best producer focus his energy on producing beats for your artists rather than make beats for someone who just left your record label?
I'm sure it wasn't just that. There were definitely hard feelings on both sides of the argument. But that had to factor into it, as well.
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That was really dope.
I wouldn't change that album for anything - Cube coming together with PE/Bomb Squad was absolutely perfect.
http://www.youtube.com/v/k6MlwT1lBk0