West Coast Connection Forum
DUBCC - Tha Connection => West Coast Connection => Topic started by: Sccit on August 28, 2025, 04:39:19 PM
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https://www.instagram.com/p/DN6l263iSha/?igsh=N2UyZnE1dTlqbXpn
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Pre-ordered The cd!
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good
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Is it a deluxe version of Man down?
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Is it a deluxe version of Man down?
What?!
Not a new album?!
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Is it a deluxe version of Man down?
That’s what I thought.
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Is it a deluxe version of Man down?
Don't think so. Although the tracklist is blurred out on the vinyl, you can still make out some words/tracks. And they appear to be different. I am assuming the "It's My Ego" challenge song will be on this.
The shipping date for the CD is September 12. So might need to wait a week or two for this to drop.
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didn't see it coming
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What?!
Not a new album?!
No, makes sense Man Down = Man Up its a new Album
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Wow, I'm shocked he's dropping a new album so soon. From what I understand, Ego was a pretty big hit single for him, so he's probably just motivated to keep the momentum going.
Nice to not have a 3-5 year break between Cube albums.
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Revisited Man Down the other day and didn't really feel it as much anymore. I mean it's still decent and definitely his best since Raw Footage imo, had a couple of dope joints on there (Rollin' At Twilight, So Sensitive, She's Sanctified, Facts, Break The Mirror), but Cube just don't sound as hungry anymore (understandably so), sometimes almost lazy + his flow really gets repetitive.
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No way this is a new album dropping in two weeks?
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Following Man Down in quick succession, Cube is releasing another album..... Man Up
Love to get the conversation going
I can't find a release date or tracklist
He's touring his Truth To Power run throughout the States right now and plans to bring The Big 3 to Australia in November
Anyone know anything?
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It's kind of interesting, with the last album we had the single well in advance and then he released a remix and another song before the album. So far, nothing in advance for this one. If it really is dropping next week, it's been a vastly different rollout. Not a complaint, just an observation.
Edit: I see now he is going to release the first single, "Before Hip Hop," on Friday.
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Following Man Down in quick succession, Cube is releasing another album..... Man Up
Love to get the conversation going
I can't find a release date or tracklist
He's touring his Truth To Power run throughout the States right now and plans to bring The Big 3 to Australia in November
Anyone know anything?
Thank you moderator
Didn't see this thread
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New album confirmed by ice cube, first single on friday "before hip hop"
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Single - Sept 5th :
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gz4AFiWWcAEngkz.jpg:large)
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Song title is promising. i'm not expecting a radio friendly single like "it's my ego".
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Expect Kendrick to drop 'GNX 2' on the same day as 'Man Up' :P
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Expect Kendrick to drop 'GNX 2' on the same day as 'Man Up' :P
;D
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Expect Kendrick to drop 'GNX 2' on the same day as 'Man Up' :P
HGAHAHSGBDKJAHS
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New single tonight let's goooo
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I dont why ice cube is not taking beats from Bud'da. I know that budda is always ready to drop bangers for him.
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Before hip hop is produced by Halwayz Productions.
Classic early 2000s west coast joint. It could have been better.
This shit doesnt sell in 2025... it is not 2005... some producers and artists need to understand it.
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I like the track and the beat is hard, hope the album has this sound throughout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eyzA2kJyaU
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I dont why ice cube is not taking beats from Bud'da. I know that budda is always ready to drop bangers for him.
Yeah, i don't feel like Cube has picked the best beats for his last couple albums. Not sure what the missing element is, but Bud'da always came through for him. I think some faster songs like from his pre 96 days would do well too. Seems like a lot of his beats are slower "2000 Dre-ish" type beats with heavy beats and slow tempo. Get back to using more samples like Bomb Squad used to do for him.
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I like the track and the beat is hard, hope the album has this sound throughout.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eyzA2kJyaU
Damn this ain't available, I haven't heard it yet.
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Should be out everywhere now.
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it's ok
i liked my ego better as a first single tbh
im listening on my phone tho .. perhaps it bumps in the whip
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Before hip hop is produced by Halwayz Productions.
Classic early 2000s west coast joint. It could have been better.
This shit doesnt sell in 2025... it is not 2005... some producers and artists need to understand it.
2025 version of Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
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Damn this ain't available, I haven't heard it yet.
??
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Realy like this 1, more than my ego.
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Dope record!
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I like it. Nothing amazing, but it is good. I like it a lot better than It's My Ego.
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Agreed. It's fine, but it's subject matter he's covered before. Decent album cut but doesn't seem like a strong single to me.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXNx6YmlZxI
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Dope video
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Feels like Cube can't win. Some of y'all complain it sounds "west coast" or subject matter he's covered before.
But if he made a forced radio single that strays from his sound, you'd be complaining even more.
Just enjoy a good record and be happy Cube is dropping another album so soon!
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Agreed. This is dope as hell IMO. Can't wait for the album on 9.12.25.
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Before Hip Hop is that jam. Cube's writing on here is the best its been in years! Great track. 8)
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Feels like Cube can't win. Some of y'all complain it sounds "west coast" or subject matter he's covered before.
But if he made a forced radio single that strays from his sound, you'd be complaining even more.
Just enjoy a good record and be happy Cube is dropping another album so soon!
i personally like that he's stickin wit a west coast sound true to himself and not chasing trends
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You could really dig deep on the subject matter
Is he saying hip-hop isn't to blame for crack, pimpin and street shit or is he saying the black community never had a golden era?
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You could really dig deep on the subject matter
Is he saying hip-hop isn't to blame for crack, pimpin and street shit or is he saying the black community never had a golden era?
Hip hop isn’t to blame for the issues in society. It’s literally been going on before there was hip hop. Sign me up for more social commentary Ice Cube.
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i personally like that he's stickin wit a west coast sound true to himself and not chasing trends
I agree. Remember Drop Girl with 2 Chainz? Cube's lowest low musically lol.
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Hip hop isn’t to blame for the issues in society. It’s literally been going on before there was hip hop. Sign me up for more social commentary Ice Cube.
My own father educates me on ills in the black community when I talk about the Panthers so I know Cube not going out on a limb here
I was just getting into Vice Lord history last week and they've been active since the 60's
For some reason..... I'm getting a "self hate" vibe here
Probably because I'm so use to Cube being a voice for the culture, the movement, the community, the disenfranchised
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Another Xzibit/Cube track would be dope!
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Another Cube song that has that Dre 2000 ish sound. Forgettable track unfortunately.
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Another Cube song that has that Dre 2000 ish sound. Forgettable track unfortunately.
because they just did a groove and looped that from start to end. they should have produced the beat and add some elements to it for the bridge and chorus. it really has potential by the way but they missed it.
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Single reviews -
Ice Cube is getting ready to drop his new album "Man Up" on September 12, and "Before Hip Hop" is the lead single.
In 2024, Ice Cube dropped Man Down, his first solo album since 2018's Everythangs Corrupt. Now, he's getting ready to drop its sequel, fittingly titled Man Up. The album's lead single, titled "Before Hip Hop," is about exactly what it sounds like.
The track functions a bit as a "hip-hop saved my life" track. Cube discusses all the nefarious (and illegal) things people used to get into before rap, and how people attempted to blame those things happening on hip-hop's lyrical content.
Cube turns in a pretty solid lyrical performance as well, about in line with much of the output he's had on his late-career solo albums. This is not Death Certificate Cube by any means, but the fact that he continues to rap at a strong level despite largely pulling back on solo efforts in the last 15 years is certainly impressive.
In addition to finding the spark to drop new solo material again, Ice Cube continues to be part of the Mount Westmore supergroup alongside Too Short, E-40, and Snoop Dogg. They dropped their first album as a quartet in December 2022, and they recently reappeared on producer ProHoeZak's new song, "The Introduction." It is not clear if that means they're gearing up for a new album, or if they'll have a new appearance on Cube's forthcoming album, but neither outcome would be surprising. Until then, check out "Before Hip Hop" below.
Quotable Lyrics:
They tell you and me it was lots of unity in the black community
That s**t is lunacy
They tried to ruin me, got me for my jewelry
What they did to me, police got immunity
Early 70s got him for his leather piece
Khakis hella creased, it was lots of jealousy
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Ice Cube proves legends never retire—he’s back with “Before Hip-Hop,” schooling us on West Coast streets before the music took over the world.
You can never make me hate Ice Cube. He’s made some of my favorite movies of all time, created a whole basketball league, and yes—even dropped one of the worst movies ever (which, honestly, is almost an honor). On top of that, from a rapping standpoint, he’s someone not enough people give the respect he deserves—he was Eminem before Eminem. The good news? Cube is still rapping. Today, he dropped a new single called “Before Hip-Hop.”
“Before Hip-Hop” hits with a mean-ass beat that oozes nostalgic California vibes. It’s the kind of production you’d swear was pulled straight from a 2000s West Coast movie soundtrack. Cube matches the vibe with his own old-school flair, rapping with a concise delivery, heavy Cali accent, and undeniable authority.
Lyrically, he paints a vivid picture of life before hip-hop became a global phenomenon—blocks running hot, pimps doing their thing, and street violence in full effect. The track strikes a dual tone: part homage to the old-school grind, part commentary on hip-hop being unfairly blamed for societal chaos.
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Ice Cube – “Before Hip Hop”
With “Before Hip Hop,” Ice Cube delivers a booming, no-nonsense statement that not only sets the tone for his forthcoming album Man Up, but also reaffirms his status as one of rap’s most consistent veterans.
Over thunderous production, Cube scoffs at the notion that Hip-Hop is to blame for the struggles within the Black community, spitting lines like “My pronouns will throw rounds/ Heartbeats will slow down/ Where’s the showdown?/ Your hood is a ghost town.”
His pen remains razor-sharp, and his presence is just as commanding as it was decades ago. On “Before Hip Hop,” Cube shines while showing he’s still speaking truth to power—with grit, clarity, and purpose. – PB
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O’Shea returns with his new single, taken from his upcoming album Man Up
Before Hip-Hop chronicles what the genre was often blamed for, despite such happenings predating its inception. The long play is set to drop soon, with a tentative release date of 29th September 2025.
Before Hip-Hop Highlights Bias Attitudes
Before Hip-Hop is a bass heavy tune filled with anecdotes on life before the genre. But it goes further, tracking timelines of a range of felonies and lifestyles prior to its perceived influence on society.
During the golden age of rap, it was often argued its lyrics and videos inspired gang violence, heavy drug use and misogyny. Though rappers fired back, referencing both sound and image in motion pictures, often glamourised. The difference? Race.
Those who opposed hip-hop had a racial axe to grind. They couldn’t and wouldn’t compare white led movies to rap artists; they were stuck in their ways and had already made up their mind.
Song samples some lines from a scene the side-splitting 87 comedy 'Hollywood Shuffle' -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhqXgvIPKvg
The last time i remember a west coast rapper sampling from that movie was Ren.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3HRciEXvBw
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Hard to believe this album will actually drop in a week though.
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Wonder which West Coast rappers will feature on here (if any). Can't see him doubling down with the same features from Man Down. Maybe Snoop again. I would love to see WC, DJ Quik, Problem, Jayo Felony, and The Game.
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i had an arguement with hallway productions on instagram just because i called the production so simple and still needed to be produced... anyway at the end we got peace and he (i dont know if its teak or dee) said that they talked about it while doing the song and it was cube's choice to keep it that simple. (true story) 8)
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We really getting a new Cube album next week? We eating!!
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i had an arguement with hallway productions on instagram just because i called the production so simple and still needed to be produced... anyway at the end we got peace and he (i dont know if its teak or dee) said that they talked about it while doing the song and it was cube's choice to keep it that simple. (true story) 8)
:dead:
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This is what Cube does now. Like it or not. Track is dope to me.
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Interesting know the tracklist before the album comes out
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4fzOCCDHJkE&pp=ygUYSm9lIE9ydGl6IGJlZm9yZSBoaXAgaG9w
Before hip hop too)
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It's weird that one version of the song has DJ scratching, and the other one doesn't.
I like very much, even though it's thematically way too similar to Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It.
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Interesting know the tracklist before the album comes out
Definitely wanna see the tracklist
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This is what Cube does now. Like it or not. Track is dope to me.
I definitely like it a lot more after the first play. Good song.
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I smell pushback of the album. Really doubt that we are goin to hear it on friday.
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=4fzOCCDHJkE&pp=ygUYSm9lIE9ydGl6IGJlZm9yZSBoaXAgaG9w
Before hip hop too)
Great song! (and album)
I smell pushback of the album. Really doubt that we are goin to hear it on friday.
Press release on Cube's site still mentions a September 12 release.
https://icecube.com/ice-cube-unveils-powerful-new-single-before-hip-hop-ahead-of-september-12-release-of-man-up/ (https://icecube.com/ice-cube-unveils-powerful-new-single-before-hip-hop-ahead-of-september-12-release-of-man-up/)
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I'll be shocked if this isn't pushed back.
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who would you expect ice cube to work with in this album? both producer and artist wise.
mines are
young tre, emile haynie, fredwreck, dj pooh, bud'da, sam sneed... (producers)
too short, scarface, dr. dre, eminem, nas, rbx, mykestro... (rappers)
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who would you expect ice cube to work with in this album? both producer and artist wise.
mines are
young tre, emile haynie, fredwreck, dj pooh, bud'da, sam sneed... (producers)
too short, scarface, dr. dre, eminem, nas, rbx, mykestro... (rappers)
also producers n.o. joe, battlecat & ant banks
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who would you expect ice cube to work with in this album? both producer and artist wise.
mines are
young tre, emile haynie, fredwreck, dj pooh, bud'da, sam sneed... (producers)
too short, scarface, dr. dre, eminem, nas, rbx, mykestro... (rappers)
Be shocked if Eminem & Dre are on here.
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Be shocked if Eminem & Dre are on here.
rbx definitely isn't lol
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rbx definitely isn't lol
Yeah, I didn't expect RBX either.
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I'll be shocked if this isn't pushed back.
It's weird because the only place I have seen the 9-12 date is on his UK/Europe store website. The US site only says it will be released in 2025. Has it been announced for 9-12 anywhere else?
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Ice Cube kicks off first US tour in over a decade
Anna Ashcraft
1 day ago
SAN DIEGO (KSWB/KUSI) – N.W.A co-founder Ice Cube has kicked off his first U.S. tour in over a decade and is getting ready to drop a new album this fall.
The 22-date “Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude” Tour kicked off Sept. 4 in Brooklyn and stops in several major U.S. and Canadian cities, including Los Angeles, San Diego, Chicago, Atlanta, Toronto and more, ending in October.
“Truth to Power is more than a tour — it’s a 40-year celebration,” Ice Cube said in the tour announcement. “The world needs truth. The people need power. And that’s what my music brings. It’s gonna be next level to go from city to city with a major production unlike anything I’ve ever done before.”
During his fall 2025 tour, Ice Cube will be dropping his latest album, “Man Up,” on Friday, Sept. 12. A new track from the upcoming album – “Before Hip Hop” – was released this past Friday.
“It’s easy and lazy to look at what’s going on in a lot of communities and blame hip hop for everything. But the reality is the violence, pain, and broken systems were already here,” Ice Cube stated. “‘Before Hip Hop’ is calling out the revisionist, showing how crime and injustice existed long before hip hop music. We didn’t cause it — we just called it.”
Ice Cube has made a name for himself during his 40-year career, including recently being honored with a handprint ceremony at the TCL Chinese Theater in Hollywood, receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as a member of N.W.A., and the creation of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Ice Cube Impact Award in his honor.
The “It Was a Good Day” rapper has also acted in several movies like “Friday,” “Barbershop,” “Are We There Yet?,” “21 Jump Street,” and “Ride Along,” along with the creation of his film and television production company, CubeVision.
Ice Cube is also part of the West Coast hip-hop supergroup “Mount Westmore” that formed in 2020 with Snoop Dogg, E-40 and Too $hort.
Ice Cube — “Truth To Power: 4 Decades Of Attitude” Tour dates:
Thu Sep 04 – Brooklyn, NY – Barclays Center
Fri Sep 05 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
Mon Sep 08 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
Wed Sep 10 – Jacksonville, FL – VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena
Thu Sep 11 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
Sat Sep 13 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
Sun Sep 14 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
Tue Sep 16 – Denver, CO – Ball Arena
Wed Sep 17 – Salt Lake City, UT – Maverik Center
Fri Sep 19 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
Sat Sep 20 – Vancouver, BC – Pacific Coliseum
Mon Sep 22 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
Thu Sep 25 – Oakland, CA – Oakland Arena
Sat Sep 27 – San Diego, CA – Viejas Arena
Sun Sep 28 – Los Angeles, CA – Crypto.com Arena
Tue Sep 30 – Glendale, AZ – Desert Diamond Arena
Thu Oct 02 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
Sat Oct 04 – Oklahoma City, OK – Paycom Center
Mon Oct 06 – Chicago, IL – United Center
Wed Oct 08 – Cleveland, OH – Rocket Arena
Thu Oct 09 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
Tickets can be purchased online at icecube.com/tour.
(https://consequence.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ice-cube-2025-tour-dates-poster-admat.jpg?quality=80)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqUvJVFcV6c
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I hope he drops the album cuz the tour is starting.
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I hope he drops the album cuz the tour is starting.
I think it's still dropping on Friday 9/12. Just a different roll out for this album.
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They shipped my cd.
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They shipped my cd.
tracklist?
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tracklist?
it's in the ship.
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get it
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tracklist?
1. Man Power (prod. E-A-Ski)
2. What You Gonna Do About It? (prod. DecadeZ)
3. Freedumb (prod. DecadeZ)
4. Guess What? (prod. ProHoeZak)
5. Forget Me If You Ain't With Me (prod. ShawnSki & Bigg Von)
6. Before Hip Hop (prod. Hallway Productionz)
7. Act My Age (prod. The Mekanix) (feat. Scarface)
8. Ratchet Ass Mouth (prod. DJ Montay, Big Korey & DJ Darryl James)
9. Respect My Space (prod. DecadeZ)
10. California Dreaming
11. That Salt and Pepper (prod. Erick Sermon)
12. Bring Everybody (prod. Henry Williamson & Policy Kings)
13. It's My Ego (prod. E-A-Ski) (feat. Scarface & Quake Matthews)
14. All Work No Play (prod. Cash Clay Beats)
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Wow, please hit us with the features and producers!
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Is Ego the remix with Scarface? Assuming so.
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All I know for now :
1. Man Power (Prod. E-A-Ski)
2. What You Gonna Do About It? (Prod. DecadeZ)
3. Freedumb (Prod. DecadeZ)
4. Guess What? (Prod. ProHoeZak)
5. Forget Me If You Ain't With Me (Prod. Shawn Ski & Bigg Von)
6. Before Hip Hop (Prod. Hallway Productionz)
7. Act My Age (Feat. Scarface) (Prod. The Mekanix)
8. Ratchet Ass Mouth (Prod. DJ Montay, Big Korey & DJ Darryl James)
9. Respect My Space (Prod. DecadeZ)
10. California Dreaming
11. That Salt and Pepper (Prod. Erick Sermon)
12. Bring Everybody (Prod. Henry Williamson & & Policy Kings)
13. It's My Ego (Feat. Scarface & Quake Matthews) (Prod. E-A-Ski)
14. All Work No Play (Prod. Cash Clay Beats)
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Wow, please hit us with the features and producers!
Updated!
Is Ego the remix with Scarface? Assuming so.
Yes, it's the remix with a new verse from Quake Matthews (the guy that won the 3mix challenge).
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Nice to see some E-A-Ski production.
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Nice to see some E-A-Ski production.
Word
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Nice to see some E-A-Ski production.
off top
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E-A Ski & Erick Sermon production?!? Wow.
I wish there was more features (WC, Kokane, Butch Cassidy), but at least we getting a new Scarface verse!
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E-A Ski & Erick Sermon production?!? Wow.
I wish there was more features (WC, Kokane, Butch Cassidy), but at least we getting a new Scarface verse!
Apparently no other featuring... the one that surprises me the most is WC, he's still with Ice Cube but not on his last two albums...
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Apparently no other featuring... the one that surprises me the most is WC, he's still with Ice Cube but not on his last two albums...
Interesting to me too
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Is it out in DSPs in Australia. What is the source for tracklist?
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I wish WC was on it as well, but if he is going to leave his kids off them as well, I'll take that trade.
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I wish WC was on it as well, but if he is going to leave his kids off them as well, I'll take that trade.
lol i think his kids stopped rappin
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Is it out in DSPs in Australia. What is the source for tracklist?
(https://i.ibb.co/W41XLMDK/Capture-d-cran-2025-09-11-175641.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/wNq9R10P/Capture-d-cran-2025-09-11-175654.png)
(https://i.ibb.co/9HQVM8Rx/Capture-d-cran-2025-09-11-175703.png)
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Ice Cube/ Cubevision ?
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Anybody heard the leak yet?
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Anybody heard the leak yet?
Yes, it's a good album.
And there are only the two features, nothing more.
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Yes, it's a good album.
And there are only the two features, nothing more.
Excited to listen! Can't believe he got another Scarface feature.
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Excited to listen! Can't believe he got another Scarface feature.
Definitely wish WC was on here though. Seems like he gave up on making music after Crazy Toones died.
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Man power......3.5/5
What you gonna do about it.....3/5
Freedumb......3/5
Guess what......3/5
Forget me if you aint with me......3/5
Before hip hop......3.5/5
Act my age......3/5
Ratchet ass mouth......1/5
Respect my space......3/5
California dreamin'.......2/5
That salt and pepper.......3/5
Bring everybody.......3/5
All work no play.......1/5
Worst ice cube album ever.
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Good album, not great. Man power 4,5/5
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Man power......3.5/5
What you gonna do about it.....3/5
Freedumb......3/5
Guess what......3/5
Forget me if you aint with me......3/5
Before hip hop......3.5/5
Act my age......3/5
Ratchet ass mouth......1/5
Respect my space......3/5
California dreamin'.......2/5
That salt and pepper.......3/5
Bring everybody.......3/5
All work no play.......1/5
Worst ice cube album ever.
Worst Cube album? Have u listened to I Am The West or Everythangs Corrupt before?
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Worst Cube album? Have u listened to I Am The West or Everythangs Corrupt before?
i am the west is the right answer
everythangs corrupt was dope to me
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i am the west is the right answer
everythangs corrupt was dope to me
Yep, Everythangs Corrupt is fire.
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I am the south aint that bad...
Corrupt is just forgettable...
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https://www.instagram.com/p/DOebJvVCaob/
(https://pbs.twimg.com/amplify_video_thumb/1966318836933632000/img/6_QIrLkGFGIZ63Pp.jpg)
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lol i think his kids stopped rappin
what?
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I am the south aint that bad...
Corrupt is just forgettable...
"I am the west" have only one dope song - no country for young men. and one good ones - Nothing like LA, dedicated his wife
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Ice Cube seems to have forgotten his dope flow and lost his touch after 2006. He needs hits like "Hello", "Why We Thugs".
Sometimes his dope flow slips through here and there, but that's not enough, he needs a well thought out, produced album, like a war album or at least like "laugh now cry later"
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Gave it a spin around lunch time
I think this album has replay value aside from the Ratchet joint but that's just because I smell like Marlboro and So Sinful
I like the skits and would love to know what movies they come from
Disappointed with the Scarface feature but whoever the kid is that won the competition can rhyme
EA-Ski beat was the hardest
I wasn't sure I'd have the attention span to listen in entirety because social media has decimated my concentration but with 2 minute tracks I absorbed it nicely
You can hear a little maturity on this and Cube's ego shines on Salt & Pepper
Californian Dreamin' beat was sweet
I was hyped for Freedumb
Not peak Cube but he'll be revered until he kicks over so if this is his last album it's a nice swan song
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Worst Cube album? Have u listened to I Am The West or Everythangs Corrupt before?
i like everythangs corrupt. good album.
i am the west is not a good album but not bad as much as "man up".
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"I am the west" have only one dope song - no country for young men. and one good ones - Nothing like LA, dedicated his wife
Soul on Ice, Life in Cali, Too West Coast?
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Nice little album from Cube, I like it. Nothing extraordinary but a good album to listen to.
I wish he would give us an album produced by EA-Ski or at least with him handling most of the production.
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I like this, to be honest. And I liked Man Down overall, so I'm happy with these two late-career albums from Cube.
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Much better then is last album. freedumb bangs
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I like this, to be honest. And I liked Man Down overall, so I'm happy with these two late-career albums from Cube.
Feeling the same way!
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I wish he would give us an album produced by EA-Ski or at least with him handling most of the production.
that part
also, my bad, i totally forgot to send u that daz snippet
i'll shoot it through some time today
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what?
doughboy and omg
i don't think they're rappin anymore
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doughboy and omg
i don't think they're rappin anymore
Thank god...
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Freedumb is FIRE
Man Power too
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Soul on Ice, Life in Cali, Too West Coast?
Not very good for that time
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Man Power - 4.25/5.. dope E-A Ski Intro.
What you gonna do about it? - 3.75/5
Freedumb - 4.5/5 - FIRE. Classic Cube.
Guess What - 3.5/5
Forget me if you ain't wit' me - 3.75/5
Before hip-hop - 4.25/5 - always likes it.
Act My Age - 3.75/5 Scarface verse!!!!
Ratchet ass mouth - 1/5 always one stinker lol
Respect my space - 3.5/5
Cali Dreaming - 3.25/5
Salt & Pepper - 3.75/5 (wish it was longer since Erick Sermon made this dope beat).
Bring Everybody - 3.25/5
Ego Remix - 3.75/5 The better Scarface verse.
All Work No Play - 3.75/5 Solid Outro
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I like this one, more than the last album, no bad songs on this, some bangers!
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I like this one, more than the last album, no bad songs on this, some bangers!
You made me doubt i listened to the wrong album
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Have listened to this twice top to bottom this morning.
I like it, I'm going to listen a couple of more times.
I like the productions.
Sometimes, Cube's songs feels like you have it before and I think it's because he refused upgrade or switch up his flow & delivery style now and then
3/5 or 3 5/5.
Happy some legends are still putting good effort in, to give us something new to bump
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3 or 3.5 means bad isnt it?
As i see, he upgraded and did something a little different with Mount Westmore project. He really sounded competitive on that.
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Worst Cube album? Have u listened to I Am The West or Everythangs Corrupt before?
Only "your money or your life" track can beat whole man down and man up albums by itself only.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=hkh58ayyV7k?si=nekW1ogxs_NcHZiz
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Checked it out just now and I think its a dope album.
Especially the two songs by DekadeZ are impressive to me, I really feel those.
Also a Mekanix track, awesome, first they have a big track with Snoop and now with Cube, them dudes are shining on the coast.
Good release from Cube, good to see him still doing it 8)
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Man Power is excellent 8)
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FslzgDpnGpc
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Not bad, not great- about what I expected. 5-7 good ones
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3 or 3.5 means bad isnt it?
As i see, he upgraded and did something a little different with Mount Westmore project. He really sounded competitive on that.
3 to 3.5 out of 5 is not bad.
It's Decent to Good territory
I agree with Mount Westmore. I need to listen to that project all.over again
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3 or 3.5 means bad isnt it?
As i see, he upgraded and did something a little different with Mount Westmore project. He really sounded competitive on that.
3 or 3.5 means solid to good .. not bad
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After listening 4 or 5 times I take back the self hate comment regarding Before Hip Hop
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Just so happy to see Cube put out albums in back to back years
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one listen as kind of background noise I thought it was pretty decent for today's music.
I disagree with cube sounding competitive on mount rushmore. him and snoop were dwarfed by short and 40 imo.
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After listening 4 or 5 times I take back the self hate comment regarding Before Hip Hop
Yeah, it grew on me though I still think Gangster Rap Made Me did it better.
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one listen as kind of background noise I thought it was pretty decent for today's music.
I disagree with cube sounding competitive on mount rushmore. him and snoop were dwarfed by short and 40 imo.
You right, but I think that partially can be attributed to it being a bunch of bay area/40 type beats all over the album where of course 40 and Short can effortlessly flow to. But back on topic, this Ice Cube album is pretty solid.
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Nice little album from Cube, I like it. Nothing extraordinary but a good album to listen to.
I wish he would give us an album produced by EA-Ski or at least with him handling most of the production.
salute.
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Gave it a spin around lunch time
I think this album has replay value aside from the Ratchet joint but that's just because I smell like Marlboro and So Sinful
I like the skits and would love to know what movies they come from
Disappointed with the Scarface feature but whoever the kid is that won the competition can rhyme
EA-Ski beat was the hardest
I wasn't sure I'd have the attention span to listen in entirety because social media has decimated my concentration but with 2 minute tracks I absorbed it nicely
You can hear a little maturity on this and Cube's ego shines on Salt & Pepper
Californian Dreamin' beat was sweet
I was hyped for Freedumb
Not peak Cube but he'll be revered until he kicks over so if this is his last album it's a nice swan song
Thank you. salute
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one listen as kind of background noise I thought it was pretty decent for today's music.
I disagree with cube sounding competitive on mount rushmore. him and snoop were dwarfed by short and 40 imo.
I agree Cube was pretty disappointing on Mount Rushmore. 40 was easily the best and I've never been a big 40 fan. Short was pretty embarrassing lyrically on that project.
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Thank you. salute
Legend!!
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Listened to Scarface again on Ego and I reneg my initial thoughts
That Quake kid killed it
Apparently he's from Halifax NS
Now I gotta listen to the other Scarface feature so I can give him praise on twitter
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I'm just happy Face is still with us. Verses are just gravy.
I liked the little touch of adding Cube and Face backgrounds on the Ego remix when Quake was quoting them. As others have said, Ski and Cube work well together.
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the best chemistry between Cube and producer's are: ( Budda, EA-ski, T-mix, Dre). i will want to hear Cube and Primo together. what you think?
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Listened 3 times since yesterday (as its so short) and can't quite get into the album and beats, its ok nothing great, but Man Down was better. Seems to be leftover tracks from Man Down in all honesty that Cube thought might as well put an album out. Probably should have taken some songs from Man Down and put them on here to even both of them out. My favourite Cube order goes
Death Certificate
Bootlegs & B Sides
War & Peace War Disc
Amerikkkas Most Wanted w/ Kill at Will EP
The Predator
Raw Footage
Lethal Injection
Everythangs Corrupt
Laugh Now Cry Later
Man Down
War and Peace Peace Disc
Man Up
I Am the West
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Listened 3 times since yesterday (as its so short) and can't quite get into the album and beats, its ok nothing great, but Man Down was better. Seems to be leftover tracks from Man Down in all honesty that Cube thought might as well put an album out. Probably should have taken some songs from Man Down and put them on here to even both of them out. My favourite Cube order goes
Death Certificate
Bootlegs & B Sides
War & Peace War Disc
Amerikkkas Most Wanted w/ Kill at Will EP
The Predator
Raw Footage
Lethal Injection
Everythangs Corrupt
Laugh Now Cry Later
Man Down
War and Peace Peace Disc
Man Up
I Am the West
My favorite order are in 3 groups according to different decades and different eras.
Lethal Injection > Dearh Certificate > The Predator > AMW
War&Peace 1 > Raw Footage > War&Peace2 > LNCL
Everythangs Corrupt > I Am The West > Man Down > Man Up
I am the west album seems overlooked in dubcnn.
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Reviews -
Ice Cube Takes on Risk & Tech on ‘Man Up’
West Coast hip-hop is back, but on his new album, Ice Cube is still stuck in the past
(https://stanisland.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/img_2097.jpg)
(Stanisland Magazine)
Following a short time away, Compton’s legend Ice Cube is back with another big one, Man Up. But does it land?
The West Coast rapper has been working in the shadows for his new album, a surprise announcement few were expecting. His last project, Man Down, was critically panned despite a huge marketing campaign.
Review and Verdict
He’s got something to say, but who hasn’t? Cube articulates his thoughts and ideas to a constructive degree — though he falters on many accounts and lacks panache.
The former technique he was known for? That’s long gone, in fact, his style hasn’t evolved since his early career, and we’re still getting his early 1990s best. Depending on who you ask, that could be a good thing.
However, considering the vast resources and time he has at his disposal, it’s hard to believe we have arrived to — yet again — an average body of work.
Man Up isn’t built for a contemporary world — it’s nostalgic, fun — but lacks bite for the modern game. It’s an enjoyable listen, but that’s not enough.
⭐⭐1/2
Rating: 2.5 out of 5.
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Ice Cube – Man Up (Album Review)
(ratingsgamemusic)
September 12, 2025
Ice Cube is a man’s man, unapologetically embracing his masculinity while delivering raw, classic West Coast rap in “Man Up.”
Ice Cube is a man’s man, which some might find offensive and others will find refreshing. On his latest album, the West Coast legend proves he’s unapologetically himself, calling out people who are all talk, those who abuse AI, sharing advice on relationships, and paying homage to the OGs who paved the way. Cube has no interest in trends.
Known as one of rap’s clearest voices, Ice Cube sticks to his trademark straightforward delivery. He doesn’t chase melodies or try to sing; instead, he gives listeners pure, raw bars. While some might consider that old-fashioned, it feels refreshing in a time when heavily produced music often overshadows lyricism.
The production throughout the album has a distinctly West Coast feel, blending hard-hitting California vibes with laid-back grooves and even some club-ready beats. It’s a throwback to the sounds of early-2000s Cube movie soundtracks, but with enough punch to stay relevant today.
There’s a Dave Chappelle quote about not wanting to hear from Ja Rule during a crisis, but Ice Cube’s voice feels like the opposite—timely and needed. He may sound almost conservative at times, but his authenticity and sharp perspective cut through the noise, which I think everyone should appreciate.
TOP 5 SONGS
5. Freedumb
Damn, Ice Cube just bodyslammed ChatGPT.
In “Freedumb,” Ice Cube aims at today’s youth, claiming they no longer think for themselves and lean too heavily on ChatGPT, which he says is no more trustworthy than “whoever leaked Young Thug’s phone calls.” He even warns that the app could go full-on iRobot takeover mode. The track itself carries a quirky, almost playful vibe—something you could imagine Gen Z dancing to, even as they catch strays from Cube’s critique.
Ice Cube delivers his verses with that classic “y’all are dumb as hell” edge, making sure his frustration cuts through every bar. His trademark authority keeps the message sharp, even when the beat feels lighthearted.
Not embracing AI is not the flex old people think it is.
4. Guess What?
Anytime an Unc says, “Guess what?” I assume they are about to fart.
In “Guess What?” Ice Cube’s message revolves around being the kind of dude who whoops feet, especially when people try to say he’s soft. Seriously, who the hell thinks Ice Cube is soft?
On first listen, I wasn’t sold on the track—Cube’s rap delivery felt a little flat. But after a second spin, the track started to click. The production carries a smooth, laid-back groove, and the chorus—featuring an unnamed female vocalist—really shines.
Surprisingly, Ice Cube even joins in on the singing, holding a surprisingly solid melody and adding a playful twist to the hook. It’s the kind of unexpected move that makes you double-take and think, wait, Cube’s singing?
3. Forget Me If You Ain’t With Me
I’m pretty sure Ice Cube will also slap the hell out of you in the midst of you trying to forget him.
Ice Cube says if you aren’t in his corner, he wants you to completely forget that he exists. The only thing I want to forget about him is that god-awful sequel to War of the Worlds he made.
Doesn’t this track have a vintage G-Unit feel? The production carries that dramatic, gangsta vibe that 50 and his crew used to tackle all the time. Though you don’t get to hear Cube sing his heart out like 50 sometimes did, he delivers what I think is the best hook on the album—it’s catchy, aggressive, and really sticks—and he spits with a dynamic flow that caught my attention.
2. California Dreamin’
Bro, do you know how many times I wanted to say, “galaxy defenders” while listening to this s**t?
Ice Cube calls out anyone who tries to get in the way of him and his lady enjoying California’s great weather and weed. Which makes me wonder: how can people in Compton even think about violence when you’re surrounded by mountains, beaches, and sunshine?
“California Dreamin’” flips the classic “Forget Me Nots,” a track I honestly feel Will Smith owns now, thanks to “Men in Black.” While I’m not a fan of Cube’s second verse—he repeats the same lines a bit too much—and I wish the chorus had actual vocals from him, hearing Cube over a beat with such lively vibes is a total throwback to his classic era.
1. Act My Age (Ft. Scarface)
Ice Cube and Scarface are a combined 115 years old.
“Act My Age” carries a message I really respect. In it, both Cube and Scarface make it clear they still demand respect even though they could be considered uncs, and they sound ready to throw hands if they don’t get it.
I’m not going to lie—I thought Scarface’s verse was phenomenal. His flow is excellent, his annoyed tone works perfectly, and I love how he neatly outlines what he’d do if someone tried to play him because of his age. As for Cube, he’s a great tone-setter for the track, establishing its gritty personality with the hook and sounding like his villainous old self that used to punk Day-Day in those Friday movies.
7/10
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Ice Cube – “Man Up” review
(legendswillneverdie
LWND Reviews)
September 12, 2025
Los Angeles emcee, songwriter, actor, film producer, CubeVision founder & BIG3 founder Ice Cube not slowing down musically with his 12th album.
The cousin of Del the Funky Homosapien & Kam, he started as part of the C.I.A. gained notoriety as a member of N.W.A until departing after their historic debut Straight Outta Compton.
Cube later got his own Priority Records deal as a solo artist, teaming with The Bomb Squad for his own debut AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted & later Kill at Will.
Death Certificate went on to become another west coast hip hop landmark due to some of its racially & politically charged content, with his Lench Mob Records debut The Predator mainly addressing a lot of the racial tensions in the United States at the time.
Lethal Injection was more g-funk heavy and the War & Peace double-disc effort marked the end of the former Westside Connection member’s Priority contract.
Laugh Now, Cry Later distributed by Virgin Music & EMI Records was a solid comeback almost 2 decades ago next summer after mainly focusing on acting during the first half of the 2000s & then Raw Footage had it’s highlights although it was decent as a whole.
I’m the West became his most negatively received body of work & the Interscope Records-distributed Everythang’s Corrupt showed to be an improvement although still average.
Man Down last fall was a pretty great homage to his Day 1s & the sequel Man Up is here 10 months later.
“Man Power” produced by E-A-Ski starts by asking if one has masculine abilities from within whereas “What You Gonna Do About It?” disses the kind of people who only speak of doing things instead acting upon it. “Freedumb” consciously discusses how people are getting spied on through their smartphones while “Guess What?” talks about being in the cut figuring out if the targeted suspects are either for or against him.
We have Cube making it clear as day that one should “Forget Me If You Ain’t wit Me” leading into the only single “Before Hip Hop” talking about life prior to making music over a Hallway Productionz instrumental. “Act My Age” featuring Scarface dabbles with trap a bit for an ode to MCs over 35 just before “Ratchet Ass Mouth” cautions about the kind of women you shouldn’t date.
“Respect My Space” poses the question if anyone wants to battle him while “California Dreamin’” gives off a g-funk vibe for a tribute to the sunshine state. “That Salt & Pepper” shows off his grown man status for 115 seconds over a funky Erick Sermon beat & after “Bring Everybody” charismatically talks about being untouchable, “All Work No Play” finishes with a message to the O.G.s who feel the same way he does.
In spite of what others have to say about Ice Cube’s music in past 2 decades or so & don’t get me started with War of the Worlds flopping, I’d say that Man Down is the better of the 2 albums we’ve gotten from him in the past 10 months although Man Up’s very much decent. I appreciate that he only got 1 guest on here in contrast to the amount Man Down had, but the production here is a little weaker as a whole.
Score: 3/5
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Ice Cube - Man Up (2025)
(AOTY)
For a man who once took six years-and eight before that-between albums, it’s surprising to see this land barely ten months after 'Man Down'. The lead single, 'Before Hip Hop', is more than solid, feeling like a sequel to 'Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It'.
Beyond that, though, the excitement fades. 'Freedumb' is the next highlight, opening with some comedy-"Why is the internet not working?"/"Why are you not working?"-before moving into a likeable beat where Cube critiques our reliance on AI and tech. 'It’s My Ego' returns from his last project, now featuring a fan-submitted verse from a competition Cube ran. (Honestly, mine was better written).
I’ve criticised Cube’s increasingly simplistic rhyme schemes on recent projects, and here they’re maybe at their weakest. I respect that he is still trying to bring some content to his music, but there are lots of ABC-rhymes, often sounding like off-the-dome freestyles. The production doesn’t help. The beats are flat, hooks forgettable, and there’s little in the way of strong melodies. While 'Man Down' is a better album, like that, this begins okay, but decreases in quality as it progresses.
I can’t help but wonder if these tracks were recorded specifically for this album, perhaps rushed to align with his upcoming tour, or if some were leftovers. His last three albums have shared a samey production style, and this one follows suit. It also sticks to the trend of short tracks. Longer run-times wouldn’t necessarily save what’s here, but two-minute songs rarely have the space to become catchy or memorable. Maybe it’s just me, but it feels like one of the downsides of modern music. It's also a shame that a rare modern verse from Scarface's isn't given a better beat on 'Act My Age'.
While nothing here is terrible, most tracks hover around the 2.5–3/5 range, with little that stands out. If Cube is to make another album, he needs to sharpen the pen, and bring in new producers. Maybe do what LL did and get someone like Q-Tip to produce a whole project.
Beats: ★★☆☆☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★☆☆☆
Hooks: ★★☆☆☆
Best Tracks: Freedumb, Before Hip Hop, It’s My Ego
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Ice Cube Drops 12th Studio Album Man Up and Announces 40th Anniversary Tour
(The Source)
Entertainment mogul, entrepreneur, and hip hop icon Ice Cube has released his 12th studio album Man Up, available now on all digital streaming platforms via Lench Mob Records and Hitmaker Distribution. The 14-track set, executively produced by Cube and Tony Draper, follows last year’s critically acclaimed Man Down and solidifies Cube’s position as one of rap’s most fearless cultural commentators.
Man Up blends Cube’s signature West Coast grit with sharp lyricism to challenge misconceptions and push for accountability from institutions, communities, and individuals. The project arrives at a time of heightened social tension, urging listeners to confront reality rather than retreat from it.
Standout tracks include “Before Hip Hop,” a bold statement dismissing the narrative that rap is responsible for systemic issues that existed long before the genre; “Act My Age” featuring Scarface, a generational collaboration between two rap heavyweights; and “California Dreamin,” which reimagines Patrice Rushen’s “Forget Me Nots” into a vivid West Coast reflection. Also notable is “It’s My Ego 3Mix,” featuring Canadian rapper Quake Matthews, who earned his feature by winning Cube’s viral fan-verse challenge, giving fans a direct role in shaping the record.
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Eric Sermon of the east-coast produced the best west-coast lick on the album, beat bounces on some Zapp style vibes with some nice scratch work.
Should of been longer so Eric could of spit a verse too, even more amped for his upcoming album.
I think the last time Cube/Sermon worked together was on this gem -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJRjpzEUX20
'Bring Every-Body' is another lively number, funky!
(https://media.tenor.com/yG37hEWCKtcAAAAM/house-party-music.gif)
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I like the skits and would love to know what movies they come from
The intro/skits are not listed on the album as tracks, instead blend in-to the songs...movie samples i noticed so far are -
Scarface (1983) - 'Man-Power' - As the intro it set's the tone for the album title, it's purposely provocative...got a chuckle out of me ;D
From reddit, regarding the opening intro -
CharlieHD123-
That’s quite a way to open an album. Times have changed. I won’t be listening unfortunately.
rOk_Night_888-
for you
Holly-Wood Shuffle (1987) - 'Before Hip-Hop'
The Killers (1964) - 'Respect My Space'
The Mack (1973) - 'That Salt ad Pepper'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Af0Yei2sAbE
For this scene Reagan went un-scripted with the lines...''Well, i can change that in a hurry *Smack*''...ahaha.
The skit before 'Free-Dumb' was jokes too -
''Why is the internet not working?
Why are you not working?
Why is the internet not working?
The same reason you're not working
Did you turn off the internet?
Maybe'' ;)
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Kam is saying this album is trash and dated ;D
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Freedumb is FIRE
A comment i read about that song -
AdditionalPiccolo527
Old man yells at AI
Song is funny as hell.
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Kam is saying this album is trash and dated ;D
True
only post 2000 album of cube that he come up with something fresh, not dated and dope was RAW FOOTAGE.
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Had no idea that was old Ronnie Reagan. I thought it sounded like Lee Van Cleef, the actor from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. Great info there, Predator.
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Kam is saying this album is trash and dated ;D
Kam is a hater.
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Kam is saying this album is trash and dated ;D
Cube should 'Man Up' and fire back @ Kam on wax.
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Kam is saying this album is trash and dated ;D
Kam never even came close to the level of Ice Cube's golden era songs. so let him show some respect
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Kam been steady hating
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Man Up
Ice Cube · 2025
(Apple Music)
Ice Cube’s Man Up is a sequel of sorts, a companion piece to his 2024 album, Man Down.
Whereas Man Down was buoyed by braggadocious rap cuts like “It’s My Ego” and the vicious gangsta rap throwback “So Sensitive,” Man Up leans into Cube’s more philosophical side.
He plays the activist and leader on his 2025 effort:
On “Before Hip Hop,” he examines the ways in which rap music is blamed for many societal ills that existed long before the genre came to fruition.
“Act My Age,” which features Scarface, is an homage to and encouragement toward all the MCs who are rapping into middle age and bringing valuable perspectives to a genre led by younger artists. It’s uplifting, and though it’s one of many tracks imbued with a positive social message, Cube still leaves plenty of time to mess around and talk shit over classic gangsta rap beats.
“Forget Me If You Ain’t Wit Me” is crafted for top-down cruises on the 91, and “That Salt and Pepper” is an intergalactic-funk reminder that age is only a number—especially when you’re Ice Cube.
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Documentary sample @ the start of the last song ''All Work, No Play'' is from -
Trailer, sample snippet @01:23 -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFWHNpfjByQ
“Black is beautiful. Black isn’t power. Knowledge is power. You can be black as a crow or white as snow but if you don’t know and you ain’t got no dough, you can’t go and that’s for sho’.”
― Lewis H. Michaux
Watch full -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYTIVgjFNS0
The Black Power Mixtape 1967–1975 is a 2011 Swedish documentary film directed by Göran Hugo Olsson, that examines the evolution of the Black Power movement in American society from 1967 to 1975 as viewed through Swedish journalists and filmmakers. It features footage of the movement shot by Swedish journalists in the United States at that time, with appearances by Angela Davis, Bobby Seale, Huey P. Newton, Eldridge Cleaver, and other activists, artists, and leaders central to the movement.
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Kam is saying this album is trash and dated ;D
kam is mentally ill
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kam is mentally ill
exactly.
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kam is mentally ill
100%
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Does anyone know who/where the sampled vocal scratched is from for the chorus of California Dreamin is from? I feel like it's Will Smith, which is kind of funny since the main sample is the same (Forget Me Nots) used for Men in Black.
Speaking of, I love all the scratching on this album.
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This album is fire. Better than the snoop and Daz albums for sure
Act my age BUMPS in the whip easily my fav track. Was bumping that while smoking 1 heading down the 101. Shit slaps.
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album is dope .. on par with man down .. way better than daz's recent output
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way better than daz's recent output
This never was a question...
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Diggin the production on this. Very cohesive. Lyrically it’s simplistic but still solid it parts
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnsapxjGfTU
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Best Cube album in years. Still not on par with his best albums, but I enjoyed it, and think he may have found a path for older artists to stay relevant. 8)
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Album sounds so good in the whip
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Album sounds so good in the whip
This. Very cohesive sounding record. So far, I am liking it more than Man Down. Just wish the songs were a bit longer and had more verses.
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Love the new album!!!! Glad to have new Cube albums in back to back years!!!!
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Bring Everybody is funky as hell and the scratching on this album is excellent. This album, like Man Down, continues to grow on me the more I listen to it 8)
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Best Cube album in years. Still not on par with his best albums, but I enjoyed it, and think he may have found a path for older artists to stay relevant. 8)
?
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Best Cube album in years. Still not on par with his best albums, but I enjoyed it, and think he may have found a path for older artists to stay relevant. 8)
as i said before, it is one his weakest links in his discography for me, but im still a fan, cube still drops some real bars and he still raps very good, even if it is same as 30 years ago.
i believe as long as cube has hunger to rap and drop albums, he still has potential to do classics. he should give a fuck about production and beats more.
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The album was better than last one but being and doesn’t have reply value, he need to get e a ski to produce the whole album and it will be dope
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as i said before, it is one his weakest links in his discography for me, but im still a fan, cube still drops some real bars and he still raps very good, even if it is same as 30 years ago.
i believe as long as cube has hunger to rap and drop albums, he still has potential to do classics. he should give a fuck about production and beats more.
I think this was his best job at beat selection in awhile, which isn't saying much. I admit that his beats do sound dated, but I'm still a fan of the old west coast sound so its all good with me. It did sound like Cube actually put some money into mixing and mastering on this one, which my speakers appreciated.
it would be cool to see Cube or some of the more established artists use more current producers.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQ4LUKCVMao
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I think this was his best job at beat selection in awhile, which isn't saying much. I admit that his beats do sound dated, but I'm still a fan of the old west coast sound so its all good with me. It did sound like Cube actually put some money into mixing and mastering on this one, which my speakers appreciated.
it would be cool to see Cube or some of the more established artists use more current producers.
The beats sound nothing like the old west coast sound
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The beats sound nothing like the old west coast sound
AGREED.
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I like this album more than Man Down. There’s some good bangers on here. Man up and Act Your Age!
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I'm really enjoying this project. It's FUN to listen to!
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S1JMG1zEh_o
Track by track breakdown and full review of the new album from Ice Cube, "Man Up."
---------------
September 16, 2025
By
cassiuscam
Album Review – Ice Cube – Man Up
Talk to em’ OG
I think I liked Ice Cube’s album Man Down last year more than most people, from what I saw. It’s not a perfect album, but as a big Cube fan, I found plenty to enjoy. What I wasn’t expecting was a sequel album, but here we have Man Up. Will it surpass Man Down? Can Cube capture that classic feel we all love from him in 2025?
As I mentioned, I’m a big Ice Cube fan. I’ve enjoyed some of his later albums that don’t get discussed as much, like Raw Footage and Everythang’s Corrupt. Man Up continues what I think is a strong run for this later stage of Cube’s career. I’d say it’s a step up from Man Down, even if I’m not sure any song here hits the heights of my favorite tracks from that album. It comes with a mostly aggressive sound that cools off a bit at the end, which works as a good blend and is well-sequenced.
Sticking to a West Coast sound was the right move. I understand when an artist wants to branch out, but at this point, I want to hear Cube over that classic sound. Some of the tracks I liked less were at the end of the album when things calmed down from the aggression. It wasn’t the calmer tone itself; it was more about the vibe and execution. “Salt & Pepper” I get, but it wasn’t the track for me, and I really didn’t like the use of the sample in “California Dreamin’.” Still, this album is filled with fantastic hip-hop moments and sounds that I love. Some of my favorite tracks are “Bring Everybody,” “Freedumb,” “Before Hip-Hop,” “Ratchet Ass Mouth,” and “Act My Age.”
This album may not have tracks that resonate as strongly for me as Man Down did, but overall, I think it’s probably better. There’s a lot of consistency with Man Up and not many outright weak points. Some fans may never enjoy newer Cube as much as older Cube, and I can understand that. But I appreciate the evolution of Ice Cube and his career. I’d rather have hip-hop with him putting out music than not, especially after the massive gaps we had for a long time.
Standout Tracks: Bring Everybody, Freedumb, Before Hip-Hop, Ratchet Ass Mouth & Act My Age
Album Rating: 👑👑👑👑👑👑👑 (7.5/10)
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Review | ‘Man Up’ is a far cry from Ice Cube’s heyday
Ice Cube doesn’t seem as tough as he used to be.
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pittnews
Ice Cube, one of the founders of legendary rap group N.W.A. and the gangsta rap genre, released his twelfth solo album on Sept. 12, titled “Man Up.” The project serves as a follow-up to “Man Down,” which Ice Cube released in 2024, more than 35 years removed from the group’s hit release of “Straight Outta Compton.”
These days, most people know Ice Cube for his role in lovable films like “Boyz n the Hood” and “21 Jump Street,” rather than as a pillar of the West Coast rap community. In N.W.A.— which notably featured rappers like Eazy-E and Dr. Dre — Ice Cube was the lead rapper and lyricist, writing most of the lyrics for their biggest hits. However, he left the group early on over contract disputes, going solo in the early ’90s and eventually pivoting into what remains an active acting career.
I like Ice Cube — “It Was a Good Day” frequents my queue, especially when I’m on aux — but I did not have high expectations for “Man Up.” I hadn’t heard of any new Ice Cube releases in years, which is just how it goes with some of these older rappers — for example, Snoop Dogg isn’t really relevant as a rapper anymore, but he’s still put out some music while being more known as a personality. As their careers grow longer and longer, the music just doesn’t have the same quality, as if they’re chasing the glory days. The fear of becoming irrelevant pushes some artists toward trying to fuse their sound with popular music at the time. Unfortunately, I don’t think Ice Cube pulled off this fusion very well on this project.
Ice Cube initially rose to fame because of his writing and not his rapping. However, I found the lyrics to be one of the most lacking parts of this new album. Ice Cube relies way too heavily on repetition, making his lackadaisical delivery seem even slower when you have to hear the lyric twice. His flow falls very flat, not meshing with the beat in time and lacking energy. I can envision Ice Cube peering over the microphone with a pair of glasses, reading off each lyric scrawled on a piece of paper. He certainly isn’t able to bring the same kind of energy that we came to know and love from acclaimed songs like “Straight Outta Compton.”
The production of “Man Up” is mediocre. The majority of the beats have sharp drums — reminiscent of the ‘90s West Coast style and feature ad-lib mixing that sounds like it came straight from an old school turntable. I found that the different tracks on the album lacked variety — the beats on many songs would be the same 16-bar section repeating over and over again, no fils or transitions in the drums. Beats like these have a certain amount of mundaneness, like a ticking time bomb before it just gets old.
Ice Cube got creative with the sampling he did on “Man Up” and used these inclusions to pay homage to his love for film. Most notably, he samples an interview scene from Al Pacino’s “Scarface” on the intro track “Man Power.” Ice Cube also used bits from “The Killers,” “The Mack” and “Hollywood Shuffle.” Only a few songs on this 14-track album actually begin with an immediate beat drop. Instead, Ice Cube builds up to his songs through sampling cultural artifacts. On a song titled “Act My Age,” Ice Cube opens with a skit of a woman talking, saying “If you over 35 and still rappin’, keep rappin’, my boy / Keep goin’ to that studio, f–k all of that, ‘Oh, I’m gettin’ old’ s–t.” Creative inclusions like this spice up music, drawing from the works of past generations and bringing to life something new.
“Unc.” “Washed.” Whatever you want to call him, it seems Ice Cube is more adept on the big screen than in the studio right now. I would much rather listen to the older works of Ice Cube from the N.W.A. days, back when he was still writing for my favorite ‘90s rapper, Eazy-E. Ice Cube has an undeniable legacy as one of rap’s pioneering figures, his influence deeply rooted in today’s rap music. While “Man Up” doesn’t necessarily reflect that, it doesn’t diminish Ice Cube’s position as one of the greats.
New interview -
Ice Cube’s Good, Bad & The Ugly: On “Man Up,” Kendrick Lamar & Why He’ll Never Have An A&R
(https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/i/v1/390x273-cover-81-auto/2025/09/Ice-Cube_Exclusive-Interview.webp)
Ice Cube will stop to smell the roses—but only for a moment. The rap icon reflects on four decades of music, the mainstream’s grip on hip-hop, and the legacy of his catalog as he drops his latest album.
40 years ain’t nothin’ to sneeze at, Ice Cube says over a Zoom call. And it really isn’t—especially for an artist who prioritized his creative freedom over appeasing the machine. It’s why albums like AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted remain integral to hip-hop’s legacy, and why, throughout 2024, “No Vaseline” resurfaced as the benchmark for scathing diss records during Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s historic feud. Cube’s commitment to speaking truth to power has been the cornerstone of his career — from N.W.A’s explosive debut, to a trailblazing solo run, to his reinvention as a Hollywood multi-hyphenate in front of and behind the camera.
But this week, Ice Cube is celebrating roughly four decades in this rap sh*t. The release of his latest album, Man Up, comes less than a year after its predecessor, Man Down. Between both projects, Cube has made it clear that the world’s chaos has stirred in his soul. Each of his albums has served as an overview of social issues—from the aftermath of the Rodney King trial on The Predator to the lack of a moral code in the digital age on Man Up. “Street knowledge is something that I've always been proud of to push, and I feel like as long as I'm living and as long as I'm observing what's going on around me, that I'll always have something to rap about and always have an expression to try to put across, you know, a message or just spitting game, if I can,” he tells HotNewHipHop.
This timeliness has turned each project into a time capsule of street knowledge, a philosophy that blends lived experience with critique; knowledge that comes from navigating systems stacked against you, then reframing it as both survival strategy and truth-telling. And he delivers it as unadulterated truth—sharp, uncompromising, and not easily digestible.
Ahead of the release of Man Up and the Truth To Power: 40 Years of Attitude tour, we caught up with Ice Cube to discuss the creative process behind his new project, the evolution of hip-hop criticism, the culture’s resilience against the mainstream, and why he trusts his gut instinct more than any A&R.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
Read More: Ice Cube Condemned L.A.'s ICE Raids In New Radio Interview
HNHH: After releasing Man Down last year, you’re returning with Man Up. How do you think these projects speak to where your head is at right now, both philosophically and creatively?
Ice Cube: Creatively, I feel like I'm in a groove. I can make songs that have different angles but still have the same flavor, so to speak. And so that's great for artists to be able to do different forms of expression, but still stay in my wheelhouse. Street knowledge is something that I've always been proud of, to push and I feel like as long as I'm living and as long as I'm observing what's going on around me, that I'll always have something to rap about and always have an expression to try to put across, you know, a message or just spitting game, if I can.
What was the recording process like for these two projects?
Man Down was recorded first, and then I jumped into Man Up. It was really about staying in the groove. I had accumulated a lot of great music that I didn't have a chance to get to. And I still feel like I had things to say that were just flavored a little differently than the Man Down record, which was, you know, pretty much talking about most of the things that had us going in the wrong direction as men.
This, to me, is just not really the polar opposite, but it's going in the opposite direction. You know, it's talking about things I think some men need to hear to stand up straighter.
What’s one song from the album that you feel men need to hear?
You know, I got a song called “Man Power.” It can have several meanings. You know, it could be do you have the manpower within yourself to do what it takes? And do you have enough help if you need manpower to get a job done? So it's a record about kind of getting yourself in order. I got records like “Freedumb” and it's just highlighting how many ways that they're really sucking us into this digital age. And you can be dumb for free, pretty much. Records like that, I think, are records that are timely.
I also got a record called “Forgive Me If You Ain't With Me.” I think a lot of people feel that way too, you know? Like, don't be halfway on my team. Either you’re all the way with me, or just forget about me. Keep going, do you and I'll do me. And [the record] “What You Gonna Do About It?” You know, a lot of people talk shit all day, but they ain't really gonna do nothing about their situation or better it. So it's kind of like put up or shut up. So, you know, I think those are a few songs that highlight the feel of the record.
You've had such a storied career and faced a lot of the early criticism that hip hop continues to face. Going back to the N.W.A days, where gangster rap was being blamed for issues like gang violence and misogyny. With “Before Hip Hop,” it kind of continues that theme of combating the narrative that hip-hop has carried throughout the years. From your perspective, what parallels do you see between those early criticisms and what today's new generation of artists face?
You know, you got critics back then and critics now. But you had critics of the softest hip hop. The Fat Boys did a song called “In Jail Without No Bail,” and it's a pretty harmless song, but people talked about that. It’s a part of music. Music is at the cutting edge, and they’ll always have criticisms and people criticizing the music. And people who just really don't like things pushed to the edge. Rap music talks about the good, the bad, and the ugly. People can tolerate the good and the bad, but when it gets to the ugly, they want everything to change and want everything to stop and slow down, and ‘you're going too far’ and all this, but it's pure expression.
Do you feel that mainstream acceptance has changed how hip hop is treated as a Black art form?
Man, I don't know. You know, at the end of the day, the mainstream always tries to come and grab something that's cool. They usually overdo it. Sometimes they do that on purpose to burn it out, play it out so it can go away. But hip-hop somehow, someway, stays connected to his roots, and that's the way the culture wants to lean.
So the mainstream, they have a lot of tricks. Mainstream is what took NWA from being an underground L.A. group to Worldwide status. It wasn't us. It was that the mainstream grabbed it and ran with it. So they always do that shit, and sometimes it's for nefarious reasons. They ran and grabbed all the record stores and then closed them down. So you’re always gonna have the big boys coming around trying to either make all the money off what's cool or try to play it out and make it uncool.
I feel like that reflects a lot of what’s been happening within hip-hop on a commercial level, where it went from being the most consumed genre globally to what now feels like taking a backseat to other genres like country. Is that a pattern that you’ve noticed?
I guess. But you know, I'm not a person who really flows with the mainstream, so I'm always making my own stream. I catch glimpses of shit that's going on, but I know that I don't do my best work around the mainstream. I do my best work in the lab, doing what I do, doing what I feel from the gut, and then letting everybody get in where they fit in. So, I know that they don't love the music, and they usually don't love artists who have something to say. So they try to make it where it’s uncool, and you know, some people fall for it.
You mentioned earlier that people will accept the good and the bad but never the ugly. However, ensuring that the whole truth comes out unfiltered has been the cornerstone of your career, just being so authentic and raw with your storytelling. At this point in your career, do you feel like it’s your responsibility to push the “ugly” when addressing social issues and your observations of the world around you?
No, it’s just my style. It’s like when we first started doing hip hop, you had to develop your own lane, your own flavor, your own style. And, you know, this is my style. And so I just do what I do best. I don't feel overly obligated, because I could do a song like “You can do it, put your back into it” tomorrow. And that's not saying shit about nothing, but you know, getting your groove on. So, you know, it's all inspiration. You look at it like a painter. You know you want to paint the ocean one day, you might want to paint a war scene the next day. Like it's all inspiration.
One thing you've got to know, I've never had an A&R. I've never had anybody tell me how to make records. You know, that's foreign to me. I would kick people out of the studio if they tried to tell me how to make a record and they weren't the producer, or I didn't respect their producing skills. You know, just like some record company guy telling me what to say and what not to say–I've never had to deal with that, not one point in my career. So I just come from the gut.
“Before Hip Hop” reminded me a lot of “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” thematically. For someone like yourself with such an extensive catalog, do you ever revisit some of your older work for inspiration? How do you return to these concepts without feeling like you’re repeating yourself?
Well, I do listen to my records from time to time. Not a lot. I don't go backwards for inspiration. I go back–you know, it's like a time capsule. So you go back, it's like looking at a photo album. You go back to reminisce. To me, it's like, if I feel like I've said it before, then I'm gonna try to adjust it. Adjust the way because it's a new day, it's a new audience, new people listening. You never know if anybody even heard the last song. So this song reminds people of that, because it's saying what needs to be said, but nobody thought about saying it.
So, you know, it has that same feel, but to me, a different tone, because that's a history lesson. You know, “Before Hip Hop” is a history lesson, so to speak. But “Gangster Rap Made Me Do It” is a scapegoat thing. People saying, you know, I'm this bad person because I listen to too much rap, you know what I mean? Like, come on, man. A lot of people listen to this shit and don't commit crimes. A lot of people listen to this shit and don't go grab a Draco and f**king spray up the block. You know, more people don't do crime than listen to this shit than do crime. Let's be real.
You’ve always been radical in your music–and I mean that in the best way possible–in the way that you write stories from AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted to Lethal Injection and now, Man Up. It’s provocative but never for the sake of shock value. Do you feel like that aspect of unadulterated storytelling has died down?
I mean, some artists choose to do that. Some artists don't. Like I said, I don't know what goes on in the hallways of major record labels and what's talked about and said, and so, I don't know. I just know most of the time the artists write the rhyme so he can write what he feels, what he wants to say, what he wants to get across.
To me, it's a lot of artists that are out there still doing that. It's just they're not pushed by what you call the mainstream. So it seems like they're not as loud. But then you got artists like Kendrick Lamar, who's one of the loudest, and he puts a lot of thought and symbolism and metaphors in his music.
Read More: Ice-T Compares Kendrick Lamar's "Gang Truce" Concert To A "Cure For Cancer"
You've had your hands in a lot of pots over the years, but the Big3 feels like a true labor of love for you. What's been the key driver in pushing this league forward despite the challenges you face? How do you see this shaping opportunities for athletes outside of the NBA in the future?
What's been pushing it? I'm a fan! It's something I want to see. You know, I'm sick of, after the finals, waiting for the NFL to start week one. It’s a long summer of boring sports to me. So this is something that I envision, and it's at the perfect time of the year when everybody else wants something to do too. So that's been the driving force–just a fan knowing that I'm doing something cool for other basketball fans out there.
And then you pivot to the players, what they get out of it. The coaches, what it does for their–mental health is too much of a big, complicated word, but what it does for their self-esteem. They’re back in the arena, doing what they do best. A lot of these dudes are 6 feet tall in the air, some of them 7 feet tall, and they’ve been playing basketball since they were young. So to have an avenue where they can continue to do that, entertain people, and play at a high level… You know it's not a pickup game, and it's not an All-Star kind of bullshit ass game, but it's serious competition. Them guys are still hungry for that. The Big3 is great for them and our Hall of Fame coaches, too. Because, you know, to be honest, nobody was going to give Iceman George Gervin a coaching job or Dr. J or you know, Rick Barry, you know–nobody was coming to give them coaching jobs, and they were able to coach in our league and get back in the arena, and do what they do best, too, which is compete, even if it's just on the coaching level.
You’re back on the road with the Truth To Power: 40 Years Of Attitude tour. What does that title represent for you? How do you reflect on four decades of making music that speaks truth to power?
Truth To Power. You know, to me, it has a double meaning again. It's a phrase that, you know, seems like, ‘Oh, you're speaking to powerful people and telling them what's real.’ Yeah, I'm doing that too, but it's also a truth to power when you're true to yourself, true to what you want to do, and true to what you believe in. You become powerful. And so, that's my journey. You know, being truthful and honest and not afraid to say what I feel. It's given me fortitude and internal power that you know, I can’t deny it. It has that meaning.
And 40 years in the game, like, is the reason why we’re doing it this big. This is why we're going so big with it, because that's something to celebrate, that's something to highlight. It's nothing to sneeze at. And I want to celebrate with my fans. You know, my day one fans and my day twos, day threes and day four fans, too.
How does it feel at this point to be 40 years strong and being able to accomplish as much as you've done, between film, music, and obviously sports, and beyond? How does it feel when you have some quiet time to reflect on such a milestone?
Of course, it feels amazing. You know, I feel like I'm living the dream, but at the same time, too, I want to make sure the people who bought tickets for my show have a good time. So, you know, that's on my mind, and my next projects. Not really what I did yesterday, but what I'm gonna do tomorrow is really what I'm looking forward to. So I do smell the roses, but I don't stay too long, you know? I keep moving. Make new roses.
https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/946220-ice-cube-man-up-interview-hip-hop-news
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Cube is a legend, its a decent album in today's standards
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That review lost me right off by calling "Boyz N the Hood" a lovable movie.
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Ice Cube — “Man Up” Album Review
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The idea that hip hop is a “young man’s game” is an outdated one. While youth plays an important role in shaping the popularity of the genre, rappers who are older bring a valuable perspective. They can rap about family, personal growth, financial responsibility, among other mature matters. While it may not be exciting to the listener looking to get hyped, elder rap has proven to be engaging and musically pleasing. Consider recent albums like VICTORY by Slick Rick, The Emperor’s New Clothes by Raekwon, and The Auditorium, Vol. 1 by Pete Rock and Common. All artists were above the age of 50 when they released those projects, and they all have something meaningful to offer.
Ice Cube follows this trend, releasing his 12th studio album, Man Up, at 56 years old. It is a follow-up to his LP Man Down, which came out in late 2024. What ties both projects together is their emphasis on nostalgia. Cube’s old school, West Coast gangsta rap essence is fully present on them. But what differentiates Man Up is how it prioritizes cultural criticism. While Man Down feels more like a trip down memory lane through vintage beats, Cube’s newest effort focuses more on social commentary.
For example, on the track “Freedumb,” Cube criticizes the influence of technology and artificial intelligence in society. In the first verse, he talks about how people blindly submit to their phones without understanding the surveillance that can be done by governments and companies. He expresses disappointment about the decline of religion and how folks problematically turn to the internet to understand God. In the second verse, he acknowledges the mindless herd mentality that happens when people form groups online, calling them “blue light zombies.” The song, overall, is valuable in how it warns listeners about the risks of trusting our devices without enough thought.
While Cube is known for his “in your face” lyrical approach, there are times when it is not very appealing in terms of replay value. The album’s opening track, “Man Power,” for instance, feels a bit too forced and lacks a compelling musicality, though I appreciate Cube’s insistence on teaching strength in a world that is driven by the artificial. The next song, “What You Gonna Do About It?,” discusses how constantly complaining about problems in the world won’t get you anywhere. It instills a sense of confidence and the importance of hard work. Still, I think the rapping there could have been more focused. The bars are somewhat general in tone.
A song like “Ratchet Ass Mouth” also lacks replayability. Not because the beat is weak, but because of the Cube’s uninteresting dating advice. There’s always space for an uncle to deliver his wisdom when it comes to dealing with girls, but with lines such as “Don’t just look at the ass and thе titties / Make sure thе conversation don’t make you dizzy,” a younger relative might just roll his eyes. There are also a couple of bars that I need explained given the changing nature of gender roles nowadays: “Go get a girl that wanna be a girl / Don’t pick a girl that wanna be Earl.” Cube has the right intentions when making this track, but the messaging feels bland and obvious. The ideas he brings up have been communicated by older folks plenty of times before and in more engaging ways.
“Before Hip Hop,” in my view, is the most enjoyable record on the album. A classic-sounding West Coast instrumental features a dramatic piano loop, over which Cube denies hip hop’s supposed role in causing issues faced in black American society. He mentions how drive-by shootings, drug usage, and unwanted pregnancies were occurring even before the rise of rap music, so any claim that hip hop culture initially created these phenomena is baseless. In this way, he brings a unique perspective, as rappers rarely engage in this kind of meta-commentary. A common assumption among observers is that hip hop is violent in nature, when in reality the genre reflects the violent experiences of the artists and people in their community.
There’s no reason to assume that rap is only relevant when performed by younger artists. “Act My Age,” featuring legendary Southern emcee Scarface, makes this exact argument. The track begins with somebody encouraging rappers over 35 to keep going, since they are the ones that give the music genuine meaning by sharing their life stories and lessons. Then, both Cube and Scarface spit with a level of ignorance. They value their OG status and do not hesitate to criticize those that tell them to be more level-headed, or to “act their age.”
The final leg of the album has some quality tracks. “Bring Everybody” is a funky, soulful 90s-style jam where Cube raps about getting hyped for a party with his crew. A remix of his 2024 song “It’s My Ego” follows, featuring Scarface and Quake Matthews. While at this point I would rather not want the same instrumental showing up again after it appeared twice on Man Down, through the original “It’s My Ego” and “Ego Maniac,” it doesn’t change the fact that the tune is catchy. “All Work No Play” is a decent closer but seems like the production could have been mixed better to complement the energy Cube brings. The simple piano line that surfaces in the first half, for example, makes the beat sound drab.
At 14 tracks and 42 minutes, Man Up is a passable project with a handful of dull moments. The production choices in many instances are basic G-funk efforts without any true staying power. Lyrically, Cube provides some important wisdom on pressing topics, but the way in which he delivers the messaging is not particularly clever. Still, Cube has the full right to coast through an album when he feels like it, given his status in hip hop. I don’t have any high expectations for superb works from him, and this will continue to be the case for the foreseeable future.
Score: 6.4/10
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I'm really digging this album. I think it is his best since Raw Footage. Very cohesive sound and easily digestible at 42 minutes long. Production is really good as well. I hope he continues to promote it and releases new videos after his Truth To Power tour ends.
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I'm really digging this album. I think it is his best since Raw Footage. Very cohesive sound and easily digestible at 42 minutes long. Production is really good as well. I hope he continues to promote it and releases new videos after his Truth To Power tour ends.
It's a nice project!
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It's a nice project!
Lovin' it!
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Ice Cube - Man Up
(https://i2-prod.themirror.com/article1413847.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/0_Ice-Cube-Performs-At-Pacific-Coliseum.jpg)
Ice Cube’s Man Up, released shortly after he was part of the worst movie of 2025, makes it clear he’s never going to drop another great album, but there’s some entertainment here. The production is stronger than expected, built on slick beats that keep the energy up, even when Cube’s writing falls flat. The opener crosses into offensive territory, and corny bars are everywhere, though the anti-AI cut “Freedumb” has sharper messaging. It’s dad rap through and through—hit-and-miss, sometimes campy, but still delivered with a sense that Cube’s having fun.
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Cube is getting fat.
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Is that WC doing the background vocals on the last verse of Forget Me If You Ain’t With Me?
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Is that WC doing the background vocals on the last verse of Forget Me If You Ain’t With Me?
YEA
HE CAME UP HALFWAY THROUGH THE SET
THEN THEY DID A BUNCHA WSCG SONGS AND WC DID A COUPLE OF HIS OWN SOLO CLASSIX AS WELL
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Have to say I like a lot of beats on this one.
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His best album in a long time for me. This is an example of what old school artists need to do: stay true to your own sound and don't try to follow trends!!!
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His best album in a long time for me. This is an example of what old school artists need to do: stay true to your own sound and don't try to follow trends!!!
Yes, agreed.
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Act My Age video feat. Scarface drops tomorrow ;)
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Must admit the album's growing on me. Easily his best since Raw Footage.
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https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QqfPUUqrGlE&
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🔥😁 dope
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Best rap comedy album of the year.
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one part of me says it takes nuts to dress like a baby for 2 gangsta rappers. so i appriciate how humble they are and they dont give a fuck about ego.
another part of me says its too creepy and humiliating for 2 OG's to dress like a baby and they shouldnd to it.
im confused.
i wasnt prepared to see scarface with a pacifier in his mouth.
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Is that Big Tray Deee in the video! A Tray Deeee and Ice Cube song would be great.
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Is that Big Tray Deee in the video! A Tray Deeee and Ice Cube song would be great.
Yup, that is Tray Deee.
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one part of me says it takes nuts to dress like a baby for 2 gangsta rappers. so i appriciate how humble they are and they dont give a fuck about ego.
another part of me says its too creepy and humiliating for 2 OG's to dress like a baby and they shouldnd to it.
im confused.
i wasnt prepared to see scarface with a pacifier in his mouth.
Sometimes you can afford to laugh at yourself. they can do this 8)
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one part of me says it takes nuts to dress like a baby for 2 gangsta rappers. so i appriciate how humble they are and they dont give a fuck about ego.
another part of me says its too creepy and humiliating for 2 OG's to dress like a baby and they shouldnd to it.
im confused.
i wasnt prepared to see scarface with a pacifier in his mouth.
Wasn't there a time in hip-hop when the south were drinking out of baby bottles? sipping on some syrup video comes to mind