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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.

Kendrick & Drake’s Beef Has Us Revisiting “No Vaseline” By Ice Cube Nearly 33 Years Later

May 9, 2024 by newhiphopnews

We are five months into the 2024 calendar year, and the way to define hip-hop this year has been the revival of rap beefs and diss tracks. We have seen multiple high-profile names butt heads like Megan Thee Stallion and Nicki Minaj, Quavo and Chris Brown, and of course Drake versus Kendrick Lamar. The latter has become the talk of the town for nearly two months now and it does not appear to be slowing down. All of these current feuds have had us going to back the OG diss tracks like “No Vaseline” by Ice Cube.

This 1991 classic is widely viewed as one of the quintessential diss records and it shows why the competitive nature of the genre is so important to its success. Of course, previous generations who were old enough to understand the magnitude of “No Vaseline” do not need the backstory. But for the modern hip-hop fan who is growing to understand the importance of a Drake versus Kendrick, for example, here are the essential facts to know. According to Genius, Ice Cube, who was one of the 90’s big-ticket rappers, was also known for his time with N.W.A.

Relisten To “No Vaseline” By Ice Cube

In 1989, Cube was having financial disagreements with the legendary West Coast group’s manager Jerry Heller. Because of that he parted ways, but members of the rap posse were not happy about it. So much so that they went on to diss Cube on two separate occasions. Those were “Real N****z” and “Message to B.A.” Sir Jinx, the producer of “No Vaseline,” went onto explain Ice’s decision to clap back at his former crewmates. “We never wanted to beef with [Dr.] Dre and them. It wasn’t like that. The crowd saw it like that, but it was not like that. It was only [Ice Cube standing up for himself],” Jinx said. The group would never go on to respond after the song dropped. After Dr. Dre left N.W.A. for almost identical reasons, the group disbanded. So, in a way, Cube bouncing was seemingly a sign that the group was headed downhill. Essentially, “No Vaseline” was a way of saying “I told you so,” which is why it is so great.

What are your thoughts on “No Vaseline” by Ice Cube? Where does this diss track rank amongst the rest of the best of the best? Who do you think won this beef and why? Was N.W.A. wrong to start to this back in 1989? 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 and N.W.A. Finally, stay with us for everything else going on in the music world.

Quotable Lyrics:

Broke as a motherf***ing joke
Let you on the scene to back up the first team
It ain’t my fault, one n**** got smart
And they ripping your a**hole apart
By taking your green
Oh, yeah, The Villain does get f***ed with no Vaseline

[Via]

The post Kendrick & Drake’s Beef Has Us Revisiting “No Vaseline” By Ice Cube Nearly 33 Years Later appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

Boosie Badazz’s First Reaction To Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline,” Has This Divisive Verdict

August 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

With so much amazing hip-hop to listen to in so many eras and styles, even its established stars can’t keep up with everything all the time. Still, Boosie Badazz surprised fans with a blind spot during a recent interview with VladTV and they got a great first reaction out of it. Moreover, the Baton Rogue MC confessed that he had never heard Ice Cube’s classic N.W.A. diss track “No Vaseline” before. That prompted DJ Vlad to play him the first verse, and it was honestly surreal to see someone react to a song like that for the first time. It’s a staple of West Coast rap and an iconic beef moment, but again, it’s hard to keep up with everything.

Unfortunately, we don’t get to see the reaction in real time, but Boosie still had a pretty funny response to the legendary cut. In addition, he was already biased because Vlad posited the track as an opposing option to Tupac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” as the best diss track of all time. The 40-year-old said that the song is “hard,” but that it doesn’t compare to Shakur’s version. Another important factor to consider in this reaction is that Badazz is already quite the Pac fan, and grew up with “Hit ‘Em Up,” whereas he said that “No Vaseline” was a bit before his time.

Boosie Reacts To “No Vaseline”

Regardless, they still had an interesting back and forth about the two tracks and spoke more about Tupac, specifically. Vlad called the recent “Dear Mama” documentary on the California icon “the best” out of all other attempts to touch on his life, career, legacy, and impact. Interestingly enough, though, Boosie said that he’s still yet to watch the documentary due to his deep and passionate love for the Death Row rapper. It’s tough to watch because it centers a lot around his hardships and what could’ve been, and Badazz doesn’t like to be in that zone about Tupac too much.

Meanwhile, we’re sure that Cube won’t agree with this take, but what’s he going to do, dog on his own song? It’s a debate that gets sparked up every so often, and both tracks are at the top of that all-time diss tracks list. Let us know where you side on that debacle down in the comments. Also, come back to HNHH for the latest news and updates on Boosie Badazz and Ice Cube.

[via]

The post Boosie Badazz’s First Reaction To Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline,” Has This Divisive Verdict appeared first on HotNewHipHop.

[WATCH] Ice Cube Says “No Vaseline” Is Better Diss Song Than 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up”

July 24, 2023 by newhiphopnews

On the most recent episode of DJ Whoo Kid’s “Whoo’s House” podcast, West Coast rap legend Ice Cube talked about the evolution of his BIG3 basketball league as well as the growth of the career of the rapper/actor. Cube also spoke about a list of the “most unforgettable diss tracks in Hip Hop history”, in which Tupac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” took the pole position and his epic “No Vaseline” track aimed at N.W.A. was placed at a modest third.

Cube reaction to ‘Pac beating him on the list? “How’s 2Pac number one when he needed help on that record?” before saying, “Me, ‘No Vaseline,’ one MC.” When Nas’ “Ether trck was mentioned, Cube said, “I love Nas but it’s not. Took out four n***as and the manager. I mean, damn! Got to give me credit for that.” He added, “[The] group was over. I don’t know if they made another record after that. So, nah man. Sorry!”

See interview below.

The post [WATCH] Ice Cube Says “No Vaseline” Is Better Diss Song Than 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” first appeared on The Source.

The post [WATCH] Ice Cube Says “No Vaseline” Is Better Diss Song Than 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” appeared first on The Source.

Snoop Dogg Agrees That Ice Cube Has The Best Diss Track Ever: ‘Nothing Comes Close’

May 29, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Recently, Ice Cube declared that one of his songs is the best diss track ever, and while that’s a big claim to make, it turns out that Snoop Dogg agrees.

In an interview on the Earn Your Leisure podcast, Cube and the hosts discussed his top diss tracks. When it was said that Cube’s “No Vaseline” is “one of” the best ever, Cube interjected, “…the top,” adding, “And it’s not even close.” He went off to list some other good ones, saying, “I mean, I would go with, you know, ‘Hit ‘Em Up’ [by Tupac] is a good one. ‘Ether’ [by Nas] is dope. I would go with ‘The Bridge Is Over’ [by Boogie Down Productions], and I don’t know, I think I gotta go with ‘Let’s Go’ [Kool Moe Dee].”

Snoop later agreed, commenting on the video, “Hands down he does. Nothing comes close.”

“No Vaseline” sees Cube going after his former group NWA and their manager, Jerry Heller. Lyrics include, “The N****s With Attitudes? Who you foolin’? / Y’all n****s just phony / I put that on my mama and my dead homies.”

Cube said back in 2021, “[NWA] came with another couple of little disses. So I said, ‘OK man, I’m tired of this. I’m going to end this real quick. We gon’ set it all the way off.’ So that’s when I wrote ‘No Vaseline’ and recorded it. I put it on that ‘Cinderfella’ track, that Dana Dane track… we flipped it, and it became a smash.”

Snoop Dogg Says Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” Is The Best Diss Song

May 27, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Snoop Dogg agreed with Ice Cube’s recent take that “No Vaseline” is the greatest diss song of all time. When Cube fired off the take during an appearance on the Earn Your Leisure podcast, Snoop shared his agreement on social media.

“Hands down he does,” Snoop wrote. “Nothing comes close.” DJ Tony Neal of the Core DJs collective also agreed: “Nothing close except for ‘Hit ‘Em Up.’” Even Ice Cube admitted that “Hit ‘Em Up” is among the greatest of all time during his original comments.

Snoop Dogg Performs With Ice Cube

INDIO, CA – APRIL 16: Rappers Snoop Dogg and Ice Cube perform onstage during day 2 of the 2016 Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival Weekend 1 at the Empire Polo Club on April 16, 2016 in Indio, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Coachella)

The legendary N.W.A. rapper initially said on the podcast that “No Vaseline” is “the top battle song ever” and “it’s not even close.” Although, he did note songs by 2Pac, Nas, Boogie Down Productions, and Kool Moe Dee. “I mean, I would go with, you know, ‘Hit ‘Em Up’ is a good one,” he said. “‘Ether’ is dope. I would go with ‘The Bridge Is Over,’ and I don’t know, I think I gotta go with ‘Let’s Go.’”

Ice Cube dropped “No Vaseline” back in 1991 amid a feud with his former group, N.W.A. With the lyrics, he targets his ex-bandmates as well as their manager, Jerry Heller.

Snoop Dogg Agrees With Ice Cube

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Cube previously discussed the making of “No Vaseline” during an interview on The Breakfast Club in 2014, as noted by HipHopDX. He recalled N.W.A. taking the first shots. “So, for them to diss me on they EP, 100 Miles and Runnin’, I kinda threw a little jab with ‘Jackin for Beats’ at the end,” he explained. “And then they came with another couple of little disses. I said, ‘Okay, man, I’m tired of this. I’ma end this real quick. We gon’ set it all the way off.’ So that’s when I wrote ‘No Vaseline,’ recorded it. I put it on that ‘Cinderfella’ track, that Dana Dane track… we flipped it and it became a smash.”

[Via]

[WATCH] Ice Cube Says “No Vaseline” Is the Best Diss Song of All Time

May 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

According to former N.W.A. frontman Ice Cube, he has the best diss track ever in the history of Hip Hop.

In a recent interview n Earn Your Leisure, Cube was asked to name his top five diss tracks, and he wasted no time mentioning “No Vaseline,” which he called “the top battle song ever” and that “it’s not even close.” He mentioned his other four diss tracks, which were made by Kool Moe Dee, BDP, Nas, and 2Pac.

“I mean, I would go with, you know, ‘Hit ‘Em Up’ is a good one,” he said. “‘Ether’ is dope. I would go with ‘The Bridge Is Over,’ and I don’t know, I think I gotta go with ‘Let’s Go.’”

Released in 1991, “No Vaseline” appeared on Ice Cube’s second solo album Death Certificate. Dr. Dre left N.W.A shortly after its release, leading to N.W.A.’s disbandment.

See the interview in its entirety below.

The post [WATCH] Ice Cube Says “No Vaseline” Is the Best Diss Song of All Time appeared first on The Source.

Ice Cube’s ‘No Vaseline’ Is The Best Diss Song Of All Time, According To Him, And ‘It’s Not Even Close’

May 25, 2023 by newhiphopnews

Before your today’s rappers’ trigger fingers became Twitter fingers, emcees would air out their grievances in the booth. Tupac’s 1996 track “Hit’ Em Up” has reentered the music conversation, thanks to a hilarious viral reenactment video on TikTok. But rapper-turned-mogul Ice Cube wants it to be known that he recorded the best diss song of all time.

During an interview with the Earn Your Leisure podcast, the “Today Was A Good Day” rapper listed his top five hip-hop diss tracks. Atop this list was his 1991 song, “No Vaseline.”

“I mean, I would go with, you know, ‘Hit ‘Em Up’ is a good one,” he said. “‘Ether’ is dope. I would go with ‘The Bridge Is Over,’ and I don’t know, I think I gotta go with ‘Let’s Go,’” replied the entertainer paying homage to the tracks released by 2Pac, Nas, Boogie Down Productions, and Kool Moe Dee.

Cube’s track, fueled by his anger for his former N.W.A. groupmates, appeared on his sophomore album, Death Certificate.

The musician has spoken at length about the song, even telling The Breakfast Club in 2021, “[N.W.A] came with another couple of little disses. So I said, ‘Okay, man, I’m tired of this. I’m going to end this real quick. We gon’ set it all the way off.’ So that’s when I wrote ‘No Vaseline’ and recorded it. I put it on that ‘Cinderfella’ track, that Dana Dane track… we flipped it, and it became a smash.”

When reflecting on whether or not he thought the song was the cause behind the group’s final separation, he remarked, “And I didn’t know that at the time they were already fragmented, breaking up anyway. So, that just — I guess knocked them down like bowling pins.”

Watch the full interview above.