Iconic entertainment mogul and rapper Ice Cube has released his new single, “IT’S MY EGO,” featuring production from Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum producer E-A-Ski. The track, available now on all streaming platforms, is a teaser for his much-anticipated album MAN DOWN, set to release November 22 via Lench Mob Records, distributed by Hitmakers.
Accompanying the single, Cube has unveiled the official music video, directed by Gabriel “VideoGod” Hart, known for his work on visuals like Migos’ “Versace” and Jeezy’s “My President is Black.” The video showcases Ice Cube playing multiple characters—from a minister to a fast food worker, to an extravagant version of himself in a bold blue fur coat. The visual’s vibrant storytelling aligns with the song’s powerful message: speak up, stand firm, and be unapologetically yourself.
The video, featuring cameos from Mike Epps, Omarion, Paula Jai Parker, and WC, adds extra flair to Cube’s already dynamic presence.
With sharp lyricism and a hard-hitting beat, “IT’S MY EGO” reflects Ice Cube’s signature style, blending West Coast rap with R&B elements. Cube describes the track as a reminder to stay true to oneself, stating, “It’s easier to stay true to yourself than constantly change for others’ expectations.”
Pre-save MAN DOWN now to prepare for the West Coast legend’s return with new music.
“I believe he’s being targeted. I believe someone has the power to pull the trigger to make this stuff, this domino effect, happen… he was cool up until a point, and this stuff started happening… “somebody… said ‘Yo, he’s our new guy we’re on this year,’ or whatever”. These are all the words of Ice Cube just this past July from an interview with Patrick Bet-David on the PBD Podcast“. These speculative quotes are all in relation to Diddy and all of the allegations during that time.
Overall, Ice Cube seemed to be slightly sympathetic for the Bad Boy Records founder. Now, though, those feelings look to be long gone, as the West Coast icon is making sure everyone knows he’s got no affiliation. This switch-up does sort of makes sense because Cube did say the industry is the “wild west” in that same interview. It all happened at a recent performance at the Yaamava’ Theater in Highland, CA, according to Yahoo! Entertainment, with Cube letting the crowd know he’s never been to an infamous Diddy party.
“Almost 40 years of rocking the mic, and I’mma tell you right now; me and WC ain’t never been to a Diddy party motherf***er… You ain’t gotta worry about us on them motherf***ing tapes”, Cube shouted out to a happy and relieved crowd. You can even hear on audience member hilariously say, “thank God”. After making that clear, Cube then had the perfect transition into “Check Yo Self”. “Anybody in here that have… I got one thing to say to yo a**. If you’ve ever been to one of those parties… Boy or Girl, you better check yourself before you wreck yourself”. This declaration is timely, as Diddy is currently under arrest for sex trafficking and racketeering.
What are your thoughts on Ice Cube making it clear that he was never at any of Diddy’s parties? What do you think made him say this at his recent show? Are you buying his statement, why or why not? We would like to hear what you have to say, so leave your thoughts in the comments. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Ice Cube and Diddy. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.
Ice Cube must be feeling pretty annoyed these days, as the Internet wants him to respond to four-year-old comments he made online. Moreover, folks recently resurfaced a September 2020 video of him explaining why the Black community should be skeptical of participating in electoral politics. “Be skeptical of anybody telling you to vote and not telling you to ask for anything or to tell you to just vote and not to get anything for your vote,” the Los Angeles rapper posited. “That’s not how it works. That’s not the process. You don’t vote just to vote. You vote because you’re getting something, or your community is getting something.
“A lot of people have been in that place for a long time and we ain’t got s**t,” Ice Cube continued. “That s**t is going to end. We are going to get what we are supposed to get, period. And anybody asking you not to ask, I wouldn’t listen to them because that’s the process. Every community asks for what they want.” Now, people are reposting and debating this clip, which eventually caught his attention.
“I truly will never listen to any idiot like yourself who is in bed with Steve Bannon,” one particularly disappointed Ice Cube fan wrote to him on Twitter. “You want to vote for trump? go right ahead a**hole.” “I’m not in bed with none of these clowns. So go get another booster shot and stfu….” the former N.W.A. MC clapped back. Of course, fans weren’t particularly receptive to this in the replies. Some blasted the anti-vaccine sentiment, whereas others think that his combativeness is making everyone misinterpret and misunderstand his main point. Voter skepticism and healthy bipartisan distrust is important, but perhaps not in the exact and particular way that Cube suggests.
Meanwhile, another hot take of Ice Cube’s these days concerns the Diddy scandal. “I believe he’s being targeted,” he claimed on the PBD podcast. “I believe someone has the power to pull the trigger to make this stuff, this domino effect, happen. He was cool up until a point, and this stuff started happening. So I believe somebody said, ‘Yo, he’s our new guy we’re on this year,’ or whatever.”
Paramount Global has announced an expanded partnership with Ice Cube and his production company, Cube Vision, building on their long-standing relationship. Under a new first-look deal for television, Ice Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz, COO of Cube Vision and Cube’s producing partner, will develop and executive produce projects for broadcast, cable, and streaming platforms across Paramount.
The partnership kicks off with an untitled scripted project in development at SHOWTIME Studios. This new venture will delve into the cutthroat world of Hollywood from the Black experience, showcasing the lengths an explosive cast of characters will go in pursuit of power and fame.
This expanded collaboration is rooted in Paramount and Cube Vision’s successful history. They have previously worked together on the Big3 basketball league, which airs on CBS, and the VH1 show Hip Hop Squares, along with various music-related projects over the years. Ice Cube also had a featured role in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” a film co-written by Seth Rogen.
“Ice Cube is a bona fide powerhouse whose enduring impact on music, film, tv and sports resonates with generations of fans,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and CCO, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios. “It’s a privilege to build on our relationship with Cube Vision and continue to bring his trailblazing storytelling to audiences around the world.”
“We are excited to expand on our successful partnership with Paramount through this unique television deal,” said Ice Cube & Jeff Kwatinetz. “This deal provides us with everything we need to bring amazing and authentic stories to television working with the best writers, showrunners, and television innovators in the entire business. We are thrilled to collaborate with Nina, Chris, and the rest of the All-Star Paramount Global team to build upon the great work we’ve done together.”
The deal was negotiated by Matt Johnson and Patrick Ragen of Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole LLP. This partnership promises to bring compelling new content to audiences, continuing the legacy of creative collaboration between Ice Cube and Paramount Global.
After Ice Cube’s 3-on-3 basketball league, The BIG3, announced it was moving to a more traditional, city-based model in May with the $10 million sale of its first franchise in Los Angeles, the league has once again expanded to two new cities, Houston and Miami, according to Billboard. While the league started out with a touring model — sort of like the barnstorming Harlem Globetrotters — its proprietor said at the time, “Basing our teams in home cities allows BIG3 to engage local communities and fanbases. Bringing in ownership groups each with their own sports expertise, business, and capabilities beginning in 2025 will allow BIG3 to grow exponentially.”
The newest ownership consists of businessmen Eric Mullins and Milton Carroll, who will base their team in Houston, and hospitality executive Heath Freeman will put his team in Miami. It’s unknown what will happen with the existing teams, which consist of the Ghost Ballers, 3 Headed Monsters, 3’s Company, Aliens, Ball Hogs, Bivouac, Enemies, Killer 3s, Power, Tri-State, Trilogy, and Triplets, or whatever became of the cryptocurrency that allowed fans to purchase ownership in teams that was announced in 2022.
In March, Cube ruffled feathers in the basketball community by allegedly offering then-Iowa basketball star Caitlin Clark a $5 million deal to play in the upcoming BIG3 season, a move that some criticized as opportunistic. Still, it seems to have drawn the right kind of attention, too, with new owners lining up to take the league into its next phase.
Ice Cube recently appeared on SiriusXM’s Flavor of the Week hosted by Flavor Flav. During the interview, Ice Cube shared that he is working on another Friday movie and revealed his favorite record he made.
When the Public Enemy hypeman asked Cube about the new Friday flick, the movie producer/director said, “Yep. We finally got, we finally, you know, got some traction with Warner Brothers. They have new leadership. My man, Mike DeLuca, who used to be at New Line when I first started, when I first did the first “Friday” and “Players Club” and “All About the Benjamins.” You know, Mike DeLuca was there, so now he’s running Warner Brothers and he’s like, you know, him and my man Michael Gruber. It was like, “Yo, what the fuck is going on with Friday? Man, let’s get this back online,” and, you know, I was a little hot ’cause they had took so long because, you know, John Witherspoon passed away. Tiny passed away. A.J. Johnson passed away, so I’m like, “Man, we keep losing people and y’all keep dicking around not doing the movie the way it need to be done.” They want to do it, but the key is it gotta be done, Flav or we shouldn’t fuck with it, you know?”
SiriusXM’s Flavor of the Week hosted by Flavor Flav airs Mondays on LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells Radio
Ice Cube has always had a soft spot for Friday. He wrote the screenplay for the 1995 original, and has continued to shepherd the franchise through various sequels in the 2000s. He’s struggled mightily to close out the franchise on his terms, however. Ice Cube has been pushing to get Last Friday made for over a decade. He’s hyped up the film in interviews, and even teased the return of beloved characters. Thankfully, the red tape has been sifted through, and Last Friday appears to be underway.
Ice Cube broke the news during a recent interview with Sirius XM’s Flavor of the Week. He told the host that he was able to work a deal out with Warner Bros. thanks to executive Michael De Luca. “They have new leadership,” the rapper explained. “My man Mike DeLuca, who used to be at New Line when I first started, when I first did the first Friday and Players Club and All About the Benjamins. Mike DeLuca was there, so now he’s running Warner Brothers.” This is a complete turnaround from Ice Cube’s earlier Warner Bros. comments. In 2021, he criticized the studio for hijacking the franchise and slowing progress.
The N.W.A. frontman told Flavor of the Week that he was frustrated over how long the process was going. To further add to the tension between Ice Cube and the studio, several Friday cast members died during the wait. “I was a little hot ’cause they had took so long. Because John Witherspoon passed away,” he recalled. “Tiny passed away. A.J. Johnson passed away. Man, we keep losing people. And y’all keep d*cking around not doing the movie the way it need to be done.” Ice Cube reiterated that De Luca was the man that revived Last Friday. “They want to do it. But the key is it gotta be done,” he noted. “So, they finally came to their senses.”
The thing are waiting to see is whether Chris Tucker will return as Smokey. The actor was a fan favorite in the original Friday, but he hasn’t appeared in any of the sequels. In March, Tucker went on to V-103 and gave his thoughts on returning. He didn’t rule it out, but he wants to make sure it’s a quality script before he agrees to anything. “At this point,” he explained. “I’m only doing stuff that I know that I could do my best. And I can have a lot of fun, got to be right.” Hopefully Last Friday turns out right.
Shaq is one of the all-time greatest athletes turned rappers, as the big man’s 1993 debut album, Shaq Diesel, went platinum. Shaq released four albums in total, and worked with some of the biggest producers and artists in hip-hop in the 90s.
However, there was one collaboration from a song he recorded with a West Coast legend while in Los Angeles with the Lakers that never saw the light of day. On a recent episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq had Ice Cube join him and they discussed a project Cube was executive producing for him while he was with the Lakers. Cube set it up for Shaq to get in the booth with Dr. Dre, and Shaq and Dre cooked up a song called “That’s Gangsta,” which Shaq thought “was nice.” Cube saw things a bit differently, and made the executive decision for Shaq to not let it ever see the light of day.
“Cube was executive producing one of my records,” Shaq said. “And he put me in the studio with Dr. Dre. I did a song called ‘That’s Gangsta’. Cube heard it and was like, ‘Nope. We’re not releasing this.’ … He was like, ‘Shaq, you’re a f*cking Laker, bro. I don’t want you talking about nothing gangsta. We not doing none of that sh*t.’ And it never came out.”
While Adam Lefkoe seemed to think it was because the song wasn’t good, Cube noted it had nothing to do with that. He was trying to protect Shaq’s image, noting the then-Lakers star didn’t need to present himself as being “gangsta” in L.A., as he had mass appeal already and didn’t need to try to put on that image.
“It was good. Shaq is a dope MC, but I just felt the record was off-brand for him,” Cube said. “Because, to me, he’s more than just gangsta. He’s loved by millions, loved by kids. He already established that. And why go backwards when you’re already forward?”
Shaq would go on to note he thanked Cube for making that decision for him, and it shows how much respect Ice Cube had for Shaq that he would think about Shaq’s overall career as a basketball player (and one of the NBA’s most marketable guys, ever) while executive producing an album. Players don’t always have someone willing to think of the bigger picture and tell them no, and in this case, Shaq had that in the form of a music legend in Cube.
Ice Cube knows a thing or two about rap battles. “No Vaseline,” his takedown of N.W.A, is still lauded as one of the greatest disses of all time. Cube recently asserted that it is the greatest. That doesn’t mean he can’t recognize the talent of others. The rapper has been complimentive of Kendrick Lamar throughout his career. He admired the way the Compton legend handled his recent confrontation with Drake. That being said, Ice Cube has some words of wisdom for Lamar. As far as he’s concerned, the battle is far from over.
Ice Cube recently went on the Big Pod with Shaq to discuss the beef. He came down as team Lamar, and admitted that his West Coast peer was the clear winner. So far, at least. Cube shocked some listeners by suggesting that the beef was ongoing. “I always approve of rap battles that’s the essence of the game,” he told the host. “I think Kendrick is up, he’s landed the more hard & effective punches.” This is agreed upon in the music world. Especially after the one-two punch of “Meet the Grahams” and “Not Like Us” took over the charts. Ice Cube didn’t want K. Dot to get ahead of himself, though. He felt Drake was an opponent worth taking seriously.
Ice Cube spoke to Shaq about the Drake & Kendrick Lamar beef saying Kendrick won so far but Drake can still fight back
“I always approve of rap battles that’s the essence of the game… I think Kendrick is up, he’s landed the more hard & effective punches… dont mean Drake… pic.twitter.com/KG4oN2rqzQ
So seriously, in fact, that the rapper claimed Drake could still turn things around. “[It] don’t mean Drake cant get off the canvas,” Cube asserted. “If I was Kendrick I’d stay cocked and loaded….” This is a unique stance to take in light of Drake’s recent moves. The Toronto rapper claimed he was finished with the beef on “The Heart Part 6.” He’s dropped music unrelated to the beef, and has leaned more into his pop-rap bag, much to the chagrin of people who were team 6 God. “Wah Gwan Delilah” was a particularly bizarre move.
Still, Ice Cube could be right on the money. Drake might just be biding time, and putting Kendrick Lamar at ease before he strikes again. The thing is, Lamar has already followed Cube’s advice. He teased the notion of having more disses ready on “Not Like Us.” Five disses, in fact. “How many stocks do I really have in stock? Ayy,” he rapped. “One, two, three, four, five, plus five, ayy.” A twitter user asked whether Dot had disses ready to go, and his affiliate Coolee Bravo confirmed the claim by tweeting “5.”
There aren’t many hip-hop legends who resonate as strongly as Ice Cube. As a member of N.W.A. and a successful solo career, Ice Cube consistently challenges the status quo, addresses social issues, and delivers raw, unfiltered narratives that hit hard. His body of work speaks for itself and is required listening for any hip-hop head’s library. Here’s a look at Ice Cube’s solo albums, ranked from least impactful to most iconic.
Kicking off the list is War & Peace Vol. 1: The War Disc, which doesn’t live up to Cube’s usual standards. Despite ambitious production collaborations, the album lacks cohesion. Too many self-produced tracks and a lack of solid production overall just weigh it down. While Cube’s lyrics aren’t perfect, they always shine through, showing glimpses of the profound verses that define Ice Cube’s best albums.
9. I Am The West (2010)
Cube tries to bridge generational gaps in hip-hop with I Am the West, but the way he does it feels a bit outdated. There’s a lot of talk about the shallowness of the “ringtone rapper generation” and the widening social class divide on this album, but some tracks like “No Country For Young Men” seem disconnected from the current hip-hop scene. In its context, songs like “She Couldn’t Make It on Her Own” seem disjointed from the other tracks, and the familiar West Coast production isn’t enough to lift the album.
In some ways, it feels like Cube is retreading old ground rather than offering new insights on Raw Footage, Cube’s most politically charged album since The Predator. The production, primarily done by lesser-known producers, offers a raw, minimalistic feel that can sound refreshingly authentic at times, but also strangely archaic. Singles like “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” show off Cube’s wordplay, but certain moments feel self-serving.
7. Laugh Now, Cry Later (2006)
With Laugh Now, Cry Later, Cube returned to the music scene after 6 years. The album starts off strong, addressing social issues with tracks like “Guns And Drugs,” where Cube critiques both George Bush administrations. In addition to the club-friendly “Smoke Some Weed,” it’s got a mix of old-school beats and new talent. On tracks like “Go to Church” and “You Gotta Lotta That,” both featuring Snoop Dogg, Lil Jon brings a fresh sound to the album, fusing West Coast vibes with Southern crunk.
6. Everythang’s Corrupt (2018)
Everythang’s Corrupt was released after a decade-long hiatus, taking Cube back to his sociopolitical roots. On tracks like “Arrest The President” and “Chase Down The Bully,” he demonstrates his razor-sharp wordplay, while “Good Cop Bad Cop” and the title track showcase his thought-provoking lyrics. The album’s instrumentation echoes classic West Coast rap, maintaining high energy throughout. Cube proved that he still had something to say three decades after N.W.A. dropped Straight Outta Compton.
5. War & Peace Vol. 2: The Peace Disc (2000)
It’s great to see Cube mature as an artist on War & Peace Vol. 2: The Peace Disc, but it’s not consistent. While there are thought-provoking songs like “Record Company Pimpin’,” some radio-friendly hits like “Can You Bounce?” just don’t vibe with the whole album. Cube’s lyrics are impressive, but he switches back and forth between catchier, radio-friendly hooks and deeper, message-driven tracks, which makes the album feel unfocused.
4. Lethal Injection (1993)
Cube’s sound shifts toward G-Funk on Lethal Injection. It’s got some killer tracks like “You Know How We Do It” and “Bop Gun (One Nation),” but it’s also missing some qualities that made his earlier work so compelling. What’s significant is that it’s one of Ice Cube’s first independent albums, which allowed him greater creative freedom and to make more money off its success.
3. AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (1990)
With high expectations surrounding his debut solo album, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, Cube released his first effort after leaving N.W.A. Produced by Public Enemy’s The Bomb Squad, this is one of Ice Cube’s albums that explores inner-city life from every angle. Cube’s aggressive style shines through on tracks like “Turn Off the Radio,” while The Bomb Squad’s production adapts well to Cube’s intense subject matter on “Endangered Species.” Despite its era, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted is an enduring exploration of unrest, integrity, and hip-hop’s social impact.
2. Death Certificate (1991)
Death Certificate, Cube’s sophomore album, stirred significant controversy with its racially and politically charged content. “Life Side” and “Death Side” give an eye-opening perspective on inner-city life. Songs like “Black Korea” came under fire from critics, while “A Bird in the Hand” captured the plight of young black men. An already powerful album ends with the N.W.A diss track “No Vaseline.”
1. The Predator (1992)
Top of the list is Cube’s The Predator, his highest-selling album and perhaps his most important. Released in the wake of the Los Angeles riots, this powerful album reflects the tensions of the time. The Predator may not be Cube’s best album, but it certainly remains his most successful and possibly most noteworthy work. As much as “It Was a Good Day” provides a brief respite, it’s quickly overshadowed by songs like “We Had to Tear This Mothaf—a Up,” which proves Cube’s ability to capture and convey the current culture.
From the explosive energy of AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted to the sociopolitical impact of Death Certificate and the relevance of The Predator, Ice Cube’s discography shows his evolution as an influential voice in hip-hop. The albums not only illustrate his storytelling and lyricism but also serve as a powerful commentary on the American experience. Explore Ice Cube’s albums if you’re a longtime fan or new to his work, and you’ll get a glimpse into hip-hop’s heart and soul.
