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Ice Cube Returns with Powerful 11th Album ‘Man Down’

November 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

After an eight-year hiatus, rap icon and entertainment mogul Ice Cube has released his 11th studio album, Man Down, via Lench Mob Records. The 19-track project, available across all DSPs, solidifies Cube’s legacy with his signature West Coast funk and unflinching storytelling, delving into themes of manhood, authenticity, and resilience.

“This album is about showing up as your best self,” Cube says, highlighting its exploration of ego, authenticity, standing firm in your beliefs, and the bonds of brotherhood. “I’ve always stood by the mantra, ‘you’re now about to witness the strength of street knowledge,’” he reflects, emphasizing his career-long commitment to truth and cultural awareness.

The album’s lead single, “It’s My Ego,” has already made waves, debuting at #7 on Billboard’s “Rap Digital Song Sales” chart and amassing over 5.4 million YouTube views. Its success underscores Cube’s enduring influence across generations.

The cover art of Man Down delivers a poignant visual narrative. The front depicts a young boy walking past fallen figures, symbolizing the consequences of societal collapse when responsibility and purpose falter. The back continues the imagery with a young girl navigating the same scene, underscoring the shared burdens across genders and generations. “If all the real men stop doing what they’re supposed to, the world will stop. Nothing would move,” Cube explains.

Featuring collaborations with B-Real, Xzibit, and Snoop Dogg, and production from Zaytoven, David Banner, and more, Man Down combines nostalgia with cultural critique. Tracks like “She’s Sanctified” and “Talkin’ Bout These Rappers” showcase Cube’s versatility as both a storyteller and a commentator on societal issues, ensuring Man Down resonates as a bold and reflective addition to his legendary discography.

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Ice Cube Has An Album That “Fans Have Been Waiting On” With “Man Down”

November 22, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube is making a welcome return to hip-hop in solo form with Man Down. The project arrives six years after the release of Everythangs Corrupt, the last time we heard him by his lonesome. In 2022, he did come back but with his fellow West Coast bros Snoop Dogg, E-40, and Too $hort under their MOUNT WESTMORE alias. Overall, Cube has been more active in Hollywood, but he’s never really lost much of his aura as a cutthroat MC.

On this 11th studio album, he’s a little more chill and doesn’t have any bones to pick. But he’s still rapping very deliberately (sometimes comically too) over some funky and bouncy West Coast backdrops. The more sensual “She’s Sanctified” with his MOUNT WESTMORE posse and October London is a good example of the blending of tones. Cube said on Instagram recently that this is an album that “my fans have been waiting on,” and we can see why he thinks so. The craftsmanship of the beats to the clever rhymes are still pretty on point despite him being in the more celebratory section of his career. Man Down is a more than worthy addition to the L.A. native’s storied discography.

Man Down – Ice Cube

Man Down Tracklist:

Rollin’ At Twilight
It’s My Ego
So Sensitive
She’s Sanctified with Snoop Dogg, E-40, Too $hort, October London
Not Like Them
5150
No Cap with K-Major, IshaDon, Mike Epps
3 Lil Piggies
Ghetto Story
Facts with J-Dee Lench Mob
Fighting for My Life in Paradise with Kurupt
Let’s Get Money Together with B-Real
I’mma Burn Rubber
Especially You
Break the Mirror with Xzibit
Talkin’ Bout These Rappers
Scary Movie
Take Me to Your Leader
Ego Maniacs with Busta Rhymes, Killer Mike

[Via] [Via] [Via]

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[WATCH] Ice Cube Sets the Record Straight: “I’m Not a Trump Supporter”

November 21, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Legendary rapper and actor O’Shea Jackson Sr., widely known as Ice Cube, has publicly denied allegations of supporting President-elect Donald Trump or his MAGA movement. During his recent appearance on The Baller Alert Show podcast on Tuesday, November 19, Cube addressed the persistent rumors and called them false, adding that they had caused significant damage to his reputation.

According to a report by the Atlanta Black Star, Ice Cube clarified his stance while discussing a range of topics, including basketball star Caitlin Clark and the highly anticipated addition to his Friday film franchise. When asked about his political affiliations, Cube dismissed the notion that he backed Trump or opposed Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

The rumors trace back to Cube’s involvement with Trump’s 2020 presidential campaign. At the time, the rapper presented both Trump and then-candidate Joe Biden with his “Contract with Black America,” a detailed plan aimed at addressing systemic inequalities faced by Black Americans. While Biden’s team opted to revisit the proposal after the election, Trump’s campaign incorporated some of the ideas into their “Platinum Plan,” sparking speculation about Cube’s political leanings.

Cube emphasized during the podcast that his actions were not partisan. “I didn’t tell anyone who to vote for,” he said, explaining that his only focus was ensuring that voters received tangible benefits for their support. “You should get something for your vote, and nothing is wrong with that,” he added.

The rapper’s comments aim to put an end to the controversy that has followed him for years, affirming that his engagement was strictly about advocating for the Black community, not endorsing a political party or candidate.

As Ice Cube continues to balance his advocacy with his entertainment projects, including the latest installment of Friday, his message remains clear: his commitment is to creating opportunities and better conditions for Black Americans—regardless of political affiliation.

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Today In Hip-Hop History: Ice Cube Released His Third LP ‘The Predator’ 32 Years Ago

November 17, 2024 by newhiphopnews

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On this day in 1992, gangsta rapper turned actor/filmmaker Ice Cube released his most successful solo album The Predator. Released months after the 1992 Los Angeles riots, this album follows the same tone that existed in Ice Cube’s music from his solo beginning; Black power against any form of oppression. Although the album was very graphic, it still had a great reception among the commercial audience, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart (despite his blatant diss of the Billboard editor on the album’s title track) and selling 193,000 copies in its first week.

The mood of this album was set by the era of violence that was going on in Los Angeles, California. Every song has an element of the type of violence that was going on in the hood between and against Black people incorporated through interludes or references. Even his more peaceful tracks have an air of criminal paranoia about them. Regardless, The Predator is still slightly toned down from his prior two releases AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and Death Certificate, which you can by the titles more outwardly push the militant mindset that Ice Cube has as a recording artist.

This album also toted two #1 rap singles, “It Was a Good Day” and “Check Yo Self”. “It Was a Good Day” is to date Ice Cube’s most successful single. The track peaked #15 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1993 and sold 600,000 copies. Outside of commercial success, this album is forever a part of pop culture history voted #8 on VH1‘s Top Rap Songs list. “Check Yo Self” was also ridiculously successful, selling 500,000 copies and peaking at #20 on the Billboard Hot 100.

The Predator LP is a masterpiece and has the sales to prove it. This album has so far gone double platinum and with the success of the film Straight Outta Compton, there is no reason why sales figures should not increase over the next few months. As anyone up-to-date in Hip Hop culture should know, with the success of this album, Ice Cube went on to be an entertainment mogul directing, writing and producing successful films, appearing on television, and releasing six more studio LPs that have all done pretty well in their sales all appearing on the Billboard 200 in the top 20%.

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[WATCH] Ice Cube Says That Eazy-E Blocked Dr. Dre From Producing His Solo Debut Album

November 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube has revealed that his Amerikkka’s Most Wanted LP, the first album that he dropped when he split from the groundbreaking N.W.A. collective, was not produced by Dr. Dre because of the late Eazy-E.

In an in depth interview with Idea Generation, the iconic rap pioneer, actor and film director says that he left Ruthless Records and N.W.A. for real reasons, but none of that impacted his personal relationship with Dre and still wanted his to produce his premiere solo effort. AMW was exclusively produced by New York-based production crew The Bomb Squad, who are primarily known for their production for Pub,lic Enemy.

In the interview, Cube admits, “I still tried to be friends with the guys who had nothing to do with the business. Me and Eazy was shaky, and I didn’t care about Jerry Heller at all, so it wasn’t no love lost there”. He added, “But I tried to keep it together with Dre. I even wanted Dre to produce my solo record, and we was talking about it, but Eazy and Jerry vetoed it.”

Dre and Cube eventually patched it up and worked together on the 1994 song “Natural Born Killaz”, which was intended to be a prelude to a collaboration album, but the idea was ultimately shelved.

Cube is set to drop the 11th album of his career, Man Down, which will be the first full length studio project that he’s released in the past eight years. Man Down is slated to be released within the week.

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Ice Cube Reveals Release Date For Eleventh Album ‘Man Down’

November 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube is gearing up to drop his highly anticipated eleventh studio album, Man Down, and the legendary rapper has just shared the official release date and cover art. Taking to Instagram, Cube excitedly announced, “The album my fans have been waiting on. MAN DOWN drops on 11/22. Pre-save the album now!”

The album’s striking cover art features a powerful image of a Black teenager strolling through the streets of Los Angeles. As they walk, the scene is marked by several individuals lying face down on the ground, visually reflecting themes of societal unrest and struggle.

Set to feature 19 tracks, Man Down promises to showcase Ice Cube’s signature style, with a mix of hard-hitting bars and thought-provoking commentary. The tracklist, available on Apple Music, also teases some major collaborations, though details on the featured artists have yet to be fully revealed.

Fans are clearly excited as Cube prepares to make his return to the rap game with this fresh body of work, arriving just in time for the holidays on November 22. Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches!

In addition to Killer Mike and Busta Rhymes, who appear on Cube’s new single “Ego Maniacs,” Man Down is set to feature a stellar lineup of West Coast legends. Ice Cube has enlisted some of the region’s most iconic figures, ensuring that the album carries a strong, authentic West Coast vibe. With these powerhouse collaborations, Man Down promises to be a major release, blending old-school influence with Cube’s fresh perspective.

The star-studded guest list for Man Down includes Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Kurupt, B-Real, E-40, and Too $hort, alongside soulful contributions from October London. Ice Cube’s first album in six years, Man Down promises to deliver a classic, vintage West Coast feel, with the rapper emphasizing authenticity. Speaking on Bootleg Kev’s podcast, Cube explained his approach, recalling a moment before Laugh Now, Cry Later when he realized he wanted to stay true to his essence. “When fans pick up an Ice Cube album, they want it to be quintessential Cube,” he said. “That’s what I’ve been focused on—doing records that are totally me.”

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Ice Cube Taps Killer Mike & Busta Rhymes For Unapologetic Banger “Ego Maniacs”

November 8, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube has a right to have major self-confidence, something that’s extremely prevalent on his new single “Ego Maniacs.” The California native and hip-hop culture icon is getting ready to drop his first solo album in just under six years with Man Down. It drops two Fridays from now, November 22, and it should be a momentous release. Him and his Cali brethren did drop their posse project SNOOP CUBE 40 $HORT back in 2022. However, given the dominance of West Coast hip-hop this year, 2024 needed a new lone tape from one of the coldest to ever do it (pun intended).

“Ego Maniacs” is Ice Cube’s second drop from this project’s rollout, with “It’s My Ego” being the first. If you’re wondering why the titles are so similar, it’s because this latest track is actually a slight remix. The beat from E-A-Ski (who’s producing the album) is a carbon copy. However, where this version differs is that it has some equally legendary guests. Killer Mike and Busta Rhymes hop aboard the bouncy and accessible G-funk instrumental and talk their talk just like Cube. The latter lays down a new verse for “Ego Maniacs” too. You can check out what will be the closing cut from Man Down with the link below.

“Ego Maniacs” – Ice Cube, Killer Mike, & Busta Rhymes

Quotable Lyrics:

I’m talking real player s*** like my man Too $hort
And back to the motherf***ing basics
N**** keep a .4-4 on ’em, ’cause you’re too two-faced
God damn it, I am it, I’m so dynamic
This guy, god damn it, spit fire, cause damage
I refuse to be moved by these new school antics

[Via]

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[WATCH] Ice Cube Explains “Kendrick Before Kendrick” Line On SiriusXM Rock The Bells Radio

November 1, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Rock The Bells Radio to promote his upcoming album Man Down. During the interview with SiriusXM’s Torae, Ice Cube elaborated on his lyric stating he was “Kendrick before Kendrick [Lamar].”

Check out the clip from Rock The Bells Radio HERE

Known for making what was arguably the best diss track of all time, Ice Cube is basing his statement on a large part of Hip Hop history. When N.W.A. was one of the most popular groups in Hip Hop, Cube decided to leave the group and dropped “No Vaseline”, the song from his Death Certificate LP, which was the catalyst that caused N.W.A. to eventually be disbanded. K Dot’s “They Not Like Us” has now become THE greatest diss track, but the title didn’t leave the West Coast, even though it took over three decades for Ice Cube’s monumental track to be matched.

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Today in Hip-Hop History: Ice Cube Dropped His Epic ‘Death Certificate’ Album 32 Years Ago

October 29, 2024 by newhiphopnews

O’Shea Jackson, better known to the world as Ice Cube, made a lot of people mad when he was fed up with the bs and released this scathing album, appropriately entitled Death Certificate 32 years ago on this date.

The album cover itself speaks volumes. A Caucasian corpse with a toe tag that reads “Uncle Sam” draped with the stars and stripes with the recently self-made solo artist pledging allegiance is as anti-establishment as you can get. Not only had Ice Cube been freed from his situation with the legendary Niggaz Wit Attitudes, but he had also been released into a sea of information that would make his metamorphosis from a mere emcee and rhyme writer of a “gangsta” rap group to an unparalleled entertainer unlike anyone else. The LP’s insert is just as powerful as the cover, with Ice Cube and his Lench Mob crew doing the knowledge to the Nation Of Islam’s Final Call newspaper.

The album features melodic, yet truthful messages from the late Dr. Khalid Abdul Muhammad throughout the duration of the album. Songs like “I Wanna Kill Sam” and “Horny Little Devil” echo NOI sentiments, but that doesn’t take away from the surgical lyricism from the former NWA frontman coupled with production from Sir Jinx, the Boogiemen, and Cube himself. Timeless gems like “Black Korea” and “A Bird In A Hand” tackles real-life issues in the urban community and the scenarios he addressed still ail our society today, yet are significantly ignored by today’s artists.

CHECK OUT THE EXCLUSIVE THESOURCE.COM ICE CUBE ‘DEATH CERTIFICATE’ 25TH ANNIVERSARY INTERVIEW HERE

One of the most memorable tracks from Death Certificate is, of course, the infamous “No Vaseline” aimed at Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, Ren Yella, and their financial arm Jerry Heller. In the song, Cube spits darts like, “..lookin like straight bozos/ I saw it comin’ that’s why I went solo/ and kept on stompin’/ while y’all motherfuckers moved straight outta Compton..” and went straight at Heller’s neck with rhymes like, “..it’s a case of divide and conquer/ ’cause you let a Jew break up my crew/ house nigga gotta run and hide/ yellin’ Compton, but you moved to Riverside..”. N.W.A. never recovered from Cube’s blow, which made this record the ultimate diss record of all time. Ice Cube’s continued success which is still evident today, is just the icing on the cake of how he “dropped four niggas, now he’s makin’ all the dough.”

The Source sends a supreme shout out to Cube, the Lench Mob (you too Kam), Dr. Khalid (RIP) and everyone else involved with this timeless classic!

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SOURCE SPORTS: [WATCH] Ice Cube Performs “Today Was A Good Day” Before Dodgers Win Over Yankees In Game 2

October 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

There no secret that the New York Yankees have their work cut out for them in the historic 2024 World Series, the most-watched MLB Championship Series in almost 40 years, but Ice Cube opening up Game 2 with his performance of “Today Was A Good Day” in Dodger Stadium was a precursor to L.A.’s 4-2 win over the Bronx Bombers.

In the third inning, Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez hit back to back homers off Yanks’ left hander Carlos Rodón, giving the Dodgers a three-run lead in a game they went on the win 4-2 to take a 2-0 series advantage. Hernández and Freeman became the second pair of Dodgers teammates to hit back-to-back homers in the World Series, joining Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager, who did it in Game 5 of the 1981 Fall Classic, also against the Yankees.

The Dodgers fulfilled Cube’s premonition that Los Angeles would have a good day, forcing the Yankees to go back to the Bronx and attempt to reverse the Dodgers’ momentum.

Additionally, with the series returning to New York and L.A. star Shohei Ohtani’s left shoulder subluxation which may force him to sit out at least some of the World Series, just might give the Yanks enough of an advantage tonight in Game 3.

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