The Motto No. 39 is dedicated to Ice Cube. Lately, Cubeβs been goinβ straight Twitter fingers on the injustice and racism in America. Heβs been sharing his views at such a rapid pace he was trending yesterday. Cube was accused of anti-semitism and many believed his account was hacked. But OβShea Jackson Sr. was quick to clarify.
Maybe people donβt know Cubeβs catalogue? Maybe you donβt understand his journey. Letβs do a quick run thru.
top billinβ:
mood ‡οΈ
Cube was the strongest pen in the legendary N.W.A β you saw the 2015 movie.
Growing up in Woodside, Queens, NY, I didnβt know much about Los Angeles let alone the LAPDβs brutal treatment of Black men. Then along came this β¬οΈ 1988 song anchored by Ice Cube, who wrote his own lyrics, and Eazyβs too (songwriting credits on βFuck tha Policeβ go to Cube, Ren, and The D.O.C.). When LAPD officers were caught on video beating Rodney King in 1991 (an early viral moment) it felt like a vindication of Cubeβs sentiments.
Cube, of course, eventually left N.W.A, and this year marks the 30th anniversary of his 1990 solo debut, Amerikkkaβs Most Wanted (Priority). I never stopped celebrating the brilliant Amerikkkaβs. Itβs a collaboration with Public Enemyβs production crew, The Bomb Squad. Sadly, many of its great tracks donβt have videosβincluding my favorite β¬
Riding the wave of his solo success, Cube dropped the 1990 EP, Kill At Will (Priority) with this powerful cover.
Cube also proved βΒ like a true MC βΒ he could tear down any beat, even Digital Undergroundβs βHumpty Dance.β
Cube put the music on hold and got with the late great director John Singleton to play Doughboy in 1991βs Boyz-N-The-Hood ‡οΈ
final scene so classic β¬
back to the beats: Cubeβs 1991 Death Certificate (Priority) is another undisputed classic. Letβs ride β¬
The Lakers / beat the SuperSonics: Cubeβs third album, 1992βs The Predator (Priority) is a notch below his previous two looks, but it did deliver the most recognized song in his solo catalogue π½
Cubeβs fourth album, 1993βs Lethal Injection (Priority) features the most underrated of Cubeβs great songs, βComing from the Westsideβ π€β€΅οΈ
finally back in Hollywood, Cube wrote his first film, 1995βs Friday β a fuckinβ masterpiece.
what more can I say:
Cube was at the forefront of our culture in the late 80s and the entire 90s via music and film. With such a decorated discography and formidable filmography a man like Cube demands and deserves your attention and respect in 2020. Cube has always be an uncompromising brother with attitude, integrity and fearlessness. Heβs angered and inspired by these world-changing times. Canβt cancel Cube. Yay-yay.
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a danyelliott production
Danyel Smith + Elliott Wilson