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.
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
Dane Rivera
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.
Dane Rivera
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 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.”
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.
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
Ice Cube explains why ‘No Vaseline’ is Better than Tupac’s ‘Hit Em Up’ and Nas’s ‘Ether.’
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) July 22, 2023
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.
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 biopicStraight Outta Compton.
There have been many debates recently about what are the best diss tracks of all time. Ice Cube says it is “No Vaseline,” hands down.
Ice Cube was on stage and revealed Nas, 2Pac, and Kendrick Lamar have great entries, but they can’t match his effort.
“No Vaseline is the best diss song in the history of hip-hop, and I’ll tell you why,” Ice Cube said on stage. “One MC, myself, I took out four mother fuckers and their manager. You can’t beat that. You can’t beat that. But we did that over 30 years ago so as it stands today I got nothing but love for N.W.A.”
You can see his declarative statement below.
Ice Cube calls “No Vaseline” the best diss song in the history of hip hop and says 2Pac, Nas, and Kendrick Lamar’s diss songs are not better than “No Vaseline.” pic.twitter.com/RFFz8MNLfc
— The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) May 28, 2024
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.
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.
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.”
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.’”
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