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We Tried Ice Cube’s Jack In The Box Munchie Meal – Is It Worth Ordering?

June 7, 2024 by newhiphopnews

ice_cube_jack_in_the_box(1600x500) — Uproxx

There are two types of celebrity fast food meals. Some bring something genuinely new or interesting to the table, and then there are the blatant cash grabs. The former is always a welcome addition to the menu, especially because you don’t necessarily have to be a fan of the celebrity in question to enjoy said meal. The latter drives me up a wall. Fast food is getting greedy, and while there is an argument to be made that in some cases the scale and consistency of fast food can sometimes justify its rising price point, that argument rarely applies to celebrity meals.

These so-called celebrity meals usually consist of combinations of already existing foods, repackaged and sold with some promotional artwork and an inflated price. It’s not rocket science.

So when we heard Jack in the Box was launching a new Ice Cube-themed Munchie Meal, it gave us pause — mostly because of the price, $12. This year, more and more people are opting to eat at restaurants or higher-end fast-casual chains instead of the classic fast food chains because for a few dollars more you get more bang for your buck. So any fast food chain that has the audacity to sell us an expensive celebrity-themed meal better come bringing the goods.

While we’re skeptical, we’re cautiously optimistic considering we loved Jack in the Box’s Snoop Dogg Munchie Meal. The Snoop Dogg Munchie Meal was so well-thought-out that we named it the best fast food celebrity collab during last year’s annual Uproxx Golden Bag Awards. Will the Ice Cube Munchie Meal live up to its predecessor? We tasted it so you don’t have to. Here are our thoughts.

Ice Cube Munchie Meal

Like the Snoop Dogg Munchie Meal, this thing is huge, there is enough food to share with another person, you’ll just have to fight over who gets what. Inside you’ve got a Chick-N-Tater Melt, a Jack Taco, seasoned curly fries, Mini Churros, and a small Spite. Each meal is also supposed to come with an Ice Cube Emoji sticker — mine, unfortunately, did not.

What made the Snoop Dogg Munchie Meal work for me was its connection to the artist. Snoop Dogg is music’s biggest pothead, weed gives you the munchies; the meal came with a brownie, weed brownies are a thing — you see what I’m getting at here. The Munchie Meal felt like a tribute to Snoop Dogg before he even teamed up with Jack in the Box, so a meal with his co-sign just feels right. The Munchie Meal line’s connection to Ice Cube is a bit less elegant.

Which is to say, there is no connection. Ice Cube has a song called “Jack N The Box” with this gem of a line “Ice Cube/ Motherf*cking head so big they call him ‘Jack ’n the box.’” But whatever, we’re not mad at JiB for reaching out to Ice Cube over this throwaway line. If JiB wants to represent West Coast So-Cal rappers, who am I to stop them? As a fellow native of Los Angeles, I’m hardwired to like this stuff.

That said, ultimately all that matters is the food.

The centerpiece of the Ice Cube Munchie Meal is the Chick-N-Tater Melt. The sandwich consists of a fried chicken patty topped with shredded cheddar cheese, Swiss-style cheese, bacon, white cheddar sauce, ranch, and a hashbrown all stuffed into a croissant-style bun. I know this sandwich is a fan favorite, and it’s been over a year since the Chick-N-Tater melt was last on the menu, but… I’m not seeing the appeal here.

The sandwich is a medley of salty and buttery flavors, but it lacks balance. Its weakest aspect is the protein. The bacon is thin and lifeless, and the chicken patty is so heavily processed that at times I wondered if I was eating chicken at all. Luckily, there are aspects of this sandwich that work. The crunchy texture of the hashbrown and its buttery flavor pair well with the salty mix of cheeses, while the ranch provides a rich savory finish. But that’s not enough to make a sandwich work in my opinion, so while I wouldn’t go as far as calling this sandwich “bad,” I can’t call it “good” either.

In addition to the sandwich, you’ve got curly fries, which are always good and feature a wonderfully addictive flavor that combines onion powder, black pepper, and garlic. A Jack Taco, which isn’t going to win any blind taste tests, but it hits the spot when you’re under the influence. And for dessert, you’ve got Mini Churros, which taste like, well, you know, churros. I’m not mad at any of the sides in this dish, it’s the sandwich that failed to win me over.

The Bottom Line:

The Ice Cube Munchie Meal is… fine. As a Cube and West Coast hip hop fan I wanted it to be better, but for me, it failed to deliver and live up to last year’s Snoop Dogg Munchie Meal. If you’re already a super fan of Jack in the Box, particularly the Chick-N-Tater Melt, I’d say this is worth the pickup. But if you haven’t been to JiB in a while, the Ice Cube Munchie Meal isn’t a reason to go.

Ice Cube Was Furious With Pete Rock For Producing Common’s Diss

June 5, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube and Common have become two of the most revered elder-statesmen in hip-hop. They went from critical darlings to crossover stars who landed major roles in film and television. They also hated each other during the 1990s. Cube and Com went at each other’s throats during the most dangerous period in the genre’s history, and it took the urging of Minister Louis Farrakhan for them to settle their differences. They weren’t the only two people involved in the beef, however. Pete Rock told his side of the story during a recent episode of Drink Champs.

Pete Rock recounted his legendary career during the podcast. He spoke on his falling out with former partner, CL Smooth, and his upcoming album with Common (the other guest). What listeners didn’t see coming, though, was Rock’s recollection of how much Ice Cube hated him. The producer laced the track for Common’s diss, “The B*tch In Yoo,” so Cube evidently felt as though Soul Brother No. 1 had chosen sides. To be fair, he kind of did. “Of course Ice Cube was a little upset with me,” Pete Rock told the hosts. “That man had me feeling bad, man. He’s like, ‘Yo, he was angry, he was upset.’”

Pete Rock Eventually Smoothed Things Over With Ice Cube

The producer felt bad about the situation. Fortunately, things blew over when Cube and Common agreed to end the beef in 1997. Pete Rock said that he was thrilled to discover that Cube had let his anger go the next time he encountered him. “‘Aww Pete, come on,’” the producer recalled him saying. “‘You good, bro, you good.’” Rock and Cube have remained on good terms, but it’s worth noting that the producer was all for Common firing shots off back in 1996.

During a 2011 interview with Complex, Pete Rock claimed that he encouraged the Chicago rapper to respond to Ice Cube. “I remember getting a call from Common saying how upset he was about getting disrespected by Ice Cube,” Rock told the outlet. “I told him, ‘If you need my help, I’m here.’” He went on to commend both rappers for the way they handled the beef. “That’s how real men are supposed to get down,” he posited. “But this was a wax thing. I think Common stood up as a man and told him how he really felt. It was memorable, man. Very classic moment.”

[via]

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Why Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” Is One Of The GOAT Diss Songs

May 30, 2024 by newhiphopnews

It’s been over 30 years since Ice Cube released his explosive diss record “No Vaseline,” taking aim at his former N.W.A. group mates and their manager Jerry Heller. Still, the record has gone down in history as one of the most scathing diss records of all time, with Cube himself reaffirming this truth during a recent stage appearance. Maybe the recent feud between Kendrick Lamar and Drake has reignited the competitive spirit in hip-hop heads around the world, as all-time great diss songs such as “Ether” and “Hit ‘Em Up” have been receiving renewed attention. So, let’s take a moment to examine Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” record, and see if we can understand exactly why it’s garnered a reputation for being the greatest diss of all time.

The Impact Of “No Vaseline” In Cube’s Own Words

Ice Cube says “No Vaseline” is a better diss track than Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss “Not Like Us,” and Nas’ Jay-Z diss “Ether.”

“I took out four motherf*ckers and the manager. You can’t beat that.” pic.twitter.com/ic9YSk0Wij

— The Truth. (@TopbreeshTV) May 30, 2024

There are a myriad of contenders for the greatest diss record of all time. Ice Cube took to the stage at the California Roots Festival to explain why “No Vaseline” remains undefeated in his own words. While discussing the state of the culture, Cube specifically name-checks iconic diss performances such as 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up,” Nas’ “Ether,” and Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us.” Cube shows reverence to each of these artists and their respective efforts, though he still feels that his own 1991 track reigns supreme.

In a now-viral video of Ice Cube’s comments, the Compton-born MC stated, “I love those songs, but ‘No Vaseline’ is the best diss song in the history of hip-hop. And I’ll tell you why: One MC — myself — I took out four motherf***ers and the manager. You can’t beat that.” It is true that N.W.A. never released another record following Ice Cube’s release of “No Vaseline” in October of 1991. The group’s manager, Jerry Heller, also never managed to find major mainstream success within the music industry following the release of the song. While there were other documented internal issues that added to NWA’s split in the early 90s, it’s hard to argue against Cube’s logic.

Why “No Vaseline” Tops Other Acclaimed Diss Tracks

His California Roots performance is not the first instance of Ice Cube championing his work on “No Vaseline.” The prolific MC turned actor has expressed in multiple interviews and media appearances over the years exactly why tracks such as “Hit ‘Em Up” simply don’t compare. According to Ice Cube, 2Pac’s groundbreaking track doesn’t stack up against “No Vaseline” because he enlisted the assistance of his Outlawz collaborators. Furthermore, the track, while quite scathing, did nothing to halt the momentum of The Notorious B.I.G.’s career. In order for “Hit ‘Em Up” to reach the iconic status of “No Vaseline,” it would require one solo artist to completely halt the career trajectory of his opponent. This simply did not occur.

The same logic applies to Nas’ “Ether.” While Nas did embark upon the iconic Jay-Z diss by himself, the track did nothing to prevent Jay from churning out numerous successful projects shortly thereafter. To Ice Cube’s credit, there aren’t many examples of a single diss track completely dismantling the opponent in a permanent sense in the history of music. Sure, Dr. Dre and Eazy-E continued to find solo success in the wake of “No Vaseline’s” release, but the gangsta rap group that inspired a generation was never able to recover.

Read More: Who Did Ice Cube Influence?

Cube Says He’s Got “Nothing But Love” For His Former Opps

Despite bragging about dismantling the group, Cube claims that “as it stands today, I ain’t got nothing but love for N.W.A.” Ice Cube specifically referenced certain milestones achieved by the group in recent years, such as an induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. As part of N.W.A., Ice Cube also received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Grammys earlier this year. The group is only the fourth rap group in history to hold this historic honor.

Ice Cube’s beef with N.W.A. was squashed just a few short years after “No Vaseline” dropped, though Cube’s underlying issues with the team’s management remained an everlasting problem. The West Coast MC has reunited with N.W.A. members Dr. Dre and MC Ren on multiple occasions and even served as a producer on the 2015 N.W.A biopic Straight Outta Compton.

The post Why Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” Is One Of The GOAT Diss Songs appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Ice Cube Reaffirms That “No Vaseline” Is Superior To “Ether”, “Not Like Us”, & More: “I Took Out Four Motherf***ers”

May 28, 2024 by newhiphopnews

There is a laundry list of memorable diss tracks throughout rap’s 50 plus year history. However, there are only a handful that sit the highest in hip-hop lore. Most avid listeners will tell you that either “Hit ‘Em Up” by Tupac or something like an “Ether” from Nas reigns over all of them. However, there is still an MC who is a staunch advocate for his own body of work. That would be nonother than Ice Cube. The West Coast rapper was put in an awkward position during the peak of his career when he was with N.W.A. Unfortunately, things did not pan out and he ultimately departed. However, that difference between the group and Ice Cube spawned “No Vaseline”, which he believes remains the greatest diss song ever even over songs like “Ether”.

Of course, there has been some new competition thrown into the fray over the last month or so. Kendrick Lamar and Drake were firing off diss records left and right, sometimes even multiple times a day. The one that fans and rappers see as the best out of the bunch is “Not Like Us”. It has grown extremely rapidly since its release at the beginning of May. Still though, Ice Cube is still keeping the crown on “No Vaseline”, and here is why.

Ice Cube Makes His Case For “No Vaseline” Over “Ether” & Others

Ice Cube says “No Vaseline” is a better diss track than Kendrick Lamar’s Drake diss “Not Like Us,” and Nas’ Jay-Z diss “Ether.”

“I took out four motherf*ckers and the manager. You can’t beat that.”pic.twitter.com/BjFVaqtVz1

— Kollege Kidd (@KollegeKidd) May 28, 2024

In a recent stage performance, the Los Angeles artist showed love to those diss records we alluded to. But in case the people in the back could not hear, Cube reiterated his argument one more time for you. “One MC… I took out four motherf***ers and the manager. You can’t beat that.” In addition, he did take the time to clarify that him and N.W.A. are still tight, especially with that happening 30 plus years ago.

What are your thoughts on Ice Cube naming his diss track, “No Vaseline,” the greatest of all time? Do you agree with him that it trumps songs like “Ether”, “Not Like Us”, and “Hit ‘Em Up”? Did he make a valid case for it, why or why not? We would like to hear what you have to say, so be sure to leave your takes in the comments section. Additionally, always keep it locked in with HNHH for all of the latest news surrounding Ice Cube. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

The post Ice Cube Reaffirms That “No Vaseline” Is Superior To “Ether”, “Not Like Us”, & More: “I Took Out Four Motherf***ers” appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Common Thought His Ice Cube Beef Was Going To End In Violence

May 18, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Common may have a reputation for being a conscious rapper, but he had no problem going at those who question his pen. He spent years going back and forth with Ice Cube over a perceived diss in his classic single “I Used to Love H.E.R.” Cube fired at Com with the seminal Westside Connection heater “Westside Slaughterhouse,” and then Common responded with the Pete Rock-produced “The B*tch In Yoo.” Great songs across the board, but things reached such a fever pitch by the late 90s that Com was concerned about the next step.

The Chicago rapper recalled his feelings on the matter during a recent appearance on 7PM In Brooklyn. He revealed that something went down between him and Cube in-person in 1995, which pushed things in an unexpected direction. “We had a little confrontation in Atlanta and this was like ’95,” he recalled. “At that point we had a little confrontation. And I was like, ‘Man, this might get ugly.’” Common credited three things with helping to close the book on the beef by 1997. The first two things were the deaths of Biggie and 2Pac following their battle. The third was the encouragement from the Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan.”

Common And Ice Cube Have Become Close Friends

The truce between Common and Ice Cube took place at the Nation of Islam headquarters in Chicago. The event was attended by rappers from all coasts, many of whom were involved in beef at one time. Snoop Dogg, Fat Joe, Mack 10, and Tha Dogg Pound were some of the most notable names. Common told the hosts that he remains grateful for Minister Farrakhan, and Ice Cube’s willingness to bury things. He assured listeners that him and Cube are close to this day. They even co-starred in Barbershop: The Next Cut together.

Common, who’s working on his next album with the man who produced his Cube diss, Pete Rock, is proud of the fact that he avoided violence. “Ultimately, I felt good that we kept it on wax,” he noted. “It was getting to that point with me and Cube. Because they was looking at me like, ‘Oh, Common’s just the backpack dude.’”

The post Common Thought His Ice Cube Beef Was Going To End In Violence appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Ice Cube Dishes on Celebs, Rappers Cosigning Trump: ‘It’s a Personal Decision’

May 16, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube, a rap icon turned business mogul, views celebrity support for Donald Trump or Joe Biden as a deeply personal choice, irrespective of any influence from rappers or entertainers.

Speaking to FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo, he emphasized, “I think it’s a personal decision. I don’t know if they care if any rappers or entertainers get up there and say anything. It’s really a personal decision.”

Highlighting the electorate’s familiarity with Trump and Biden, Ice Cube stressed that voters will ultimately decide based on their assessments, regardless of external endorsements. Jeff Kwatinetz, the president of Ice Cube’s league, echoed this sentiment, noting, “I think that people have realized that neither party speaks for minorities, maybe for the Black audience, and it comes down to who they think will really help them on the issues that they care about.”

Ice Cube further elaborated on the nuanced perspectives within minority communities, challenging the notion of monolithic thinking. He stated, “I think it’s underestimated how much people care about the economy… They don’t realize that people have a lot of different opinions.”

Transitioning to the topic of the economy, Ice Cube underscored the vital role of small businesses in American society, using his own venture, the BIG3 league, as a testament to the resilience of such enterprises. “It’s a league that we kind of started from scratch in 2017… We had to go through COVID,” he remarked.

Advocating for government support for small businesses, Ice Cube emphasized, “A lot of small businesses need a little helping hand to get over the hump… the small businesses are really what makes up the American lifestyle.”

The post Ice Cube Dishes on Celebs, Rappers Cosigning Trump: ‘It’s a Personal Decision’ first appeared on The Source.

The post Ice Cube Dishes on Celebs, Rappers Cosigning Trump: ‘It’s a Personal Decision’ appeared first on The Source.

Today in Hip-Hop History: Ice Cube Dropped His First Solo LP ‘Amerikkka’s Most Wanted’ 34 Years Ago

May 16, 2024 by newhiphopnews

On this day in Hip Hop history, 34 years ago, Ice Cube released his debut solo album Amerikkka’s Most Wanted. Following the tragic breakup of N.W.A., this album’s unexpected commercial and critical success set the tone for Ice Cube’s solo career and was also a launching pad toward success.

Being able to peak at #19 on the Billboard 200 and be certified platinum in the year if it’s released, all while staying true to the hardcore gangsta sound that is prevalent in all of his other work shows, since the beginning, Ice Cube has been a force to be reckoned with. His lyrical style and choice of subject matter force the commercial music world to be comfortable with a narrative uncommon to most of those who would consider themselves fans of the work. With this album, Ice Cube can paint a vivid and accurate picture of his particular experiences as an artist in making it out of Compton yet still thriving as a product of the said environment.

Unlike his previous NWA cuts, Ice Cube can get a little more theatrical with the delivery of his message while remaining just as straightforward. From the project’s title to the outro, it is prominent that Ice Cube had no intention of sugar-coating what he had to say. The violently righteous theme of this album shook the rap world showing a more militant side to the consciousness movement going on in the early 1990s. Cube even worked with Public Enemy’s production team, The Bomb Squad, to harness the high-energy sound paired perfectly with his flow.

Critically, this album is held on a pedestal with some of the best-selling and most respected projects in Hip Hop. It has been ranked on a plethora of “Best of All Time” and “Best of the 1990s” lists by publications in the US, Canada, and Europe. The album has been awarded 5 out of 5 ratings from The Source, Rolling Stone, Allmusic, and The Austin Chronicle.

Following this album, Ice Cube grew to be the mega-star he is today. He released eight solo studio albums and has no plans on stopping anytime soon. He also took his talent to the screen as an actor, writer, and director.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ice Cube Dropped His First Solo LP ‘Amerikkka’s Most Wanted’ 34 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip-Hop History: Ice Cube Dropped His First Solo LP ‘Amerikkka’s Most Wanted’ 34 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Ice Cube Speaks On Celebrities Endorsing Donald Trump For President

May 14, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube has shared his opinions about celebrities supporting Donald Trump and his pursuit of presidential reelection in the midst of many ongoing legal proceedings. The legendary West Coast hip-hop artist and businessman said as much in a recent interview with Fox Business. Cube not only called the choice “private,” but it also questioned the legitimacy of celebrity endorsements in general. Cube said, “I think it’s a personal decision. I don’t know if they care if any rappers or entertainers get up there and say anything. It’s really a personal decision.”

Ice Cube further asserted that the public, despite the influence of political leaders and their supporters, retains the power to make independent decisions during elections. He stated, “People know who Trump is,” he said in part. “People know who Biden is. They’re going to make their decision no matter who gets up there and pushes whatever agenda they want.” This emphasis on the public’s autonomy in decision-making is a powerful reminder of their role in shaping the political landscape.

Read More: Who Did Ice Cube Influence?

Ice Cube Talks Presidential Elections

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A post shared by Ice Cube (@icecube)

“I think that people have realized that neither party really speaks for minorities, maybe for the Black audience, and it comes down to who they think will really help them on the issues that they care about,” said Big Three League President Jeff Kwatinetz, who also voiced his opinion alongside Ice Cube. As Trump seeks a second term in power, a number of rappers have recently been connected to him.

In addition to earlier support for Trump from musicians like Wocka Flocka and Kodak Black, Lil Pump confirmed his support for the president back in January by getting a tattoo. Additionally, Ice Cube discussed the most recent changes to his professional sports league, having secured a $10 million contract with the sale of its first franchise. He said of THe Big 3, “It’s a league that we kind of started from scratch in 2017. We’ve been, for eight years, growing this league, and it’s not been easy. We had to go through COVID.” Overall, ice Cube is a man about his business.

[via]

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SOURCE SPORTS: Ice Cube’s Big3 Basketball League Announces Team Coming to Los Angeles

May 13, 2024 by newhiphopnews

Ice Cube Talks Season Six of The Big 3 and Hip-Hop50

The Big3 basketball league, co-founded by iconic rapper and actor Ice Cube in 2017, continues to expand its footprint by adding a Los Angeles-based team for the upcoming season.

On Friday, the 3-on-3 basketball league announced the sale of the rights to the L.A. team to a consortium of investors led by DCB Sports for a staggering $10 million. This move marks a significant milestone for the league as it solidifies its presence in one of the world’s basketball hotbeds.

Co-founder Ice Cube expressed excitement about the expansion, stating, “We can plant our roots in these cities. It is great to come through with, like, a rolling All-Star event. But if you want to really unlock the fan-base potential, connecting to cities does that.”

The Big3, known for its unique 3-on-3 format featuring former NBA stars and other basketball veterans, has garnered a loyal following since its inception. With games broadcast on CBS and half of non-CBS games domestically streamed on X, the league has leveraged its media partnerships to reach a wider audience. They are growing, and that’s a good thing for the spirit of competition within the already crowded sports media landscape.

Co-founder Jeff Kwatinetz emphasized the league’s commitment to community engagement, stating, “We do things in the cities when we go there… The truth is that you can only do so much, you know, dropping in a city for four days than you can if you have a team rooted in the city.”

Adding an L.A. team is just the beginning of the Big3’s expansion plans. With the 2024 season set to kick off on June 15 in Oakland, the league anticipates announcing three more ownership groups, with Toronto and the U.K. emerging as leading contenders. That would be interesting – the United Kingdom. Not even the NBA or NFL have fully expanded into the UK with actual teams based in that foreign market.

As the Big3 continues to grow and evolve, it remains dedicated to its mission of delivering thrilling basketball action while fostering connections with communities worldwide. Good for you, Cube!

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Ice Cube’s Big3 Basketball League Announces Team Coming to Los Angeles first appeared on The Source.

The post SOURCE SPORTS: Ice Cube’s Big3 Basketball League Announces Team Coming to Los Angeles appeared first on The Source.