September 2008 Archive |
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Ice Cube
Raw Footage
By Joe Walker
Ice Cube has been a great MC since his days with NWA. Once he went solo and matured, he evolved into one of hip-hop’s elite storytellers. No one else can create visual tales as descriptive or can boast a catalog of fables as gripping as Ice Cube. Here, on Raw Footage, his ninth studio effort, Cube may have written his best song/story to date. "Why Me?" (featuring vocals by soul singer Musiq) is set at the grave of a gunshot victim. Resting six feet underground, the subject sadly ponders why the shooter chose him. The riveting nature if Cube's verses don't stop here, though.
While drug references have became fashionable for many of hip-hop's stars, Cube further dissects its use in “Why Me?” There's nothing flashing about the tune as Cube is proud of his anti-hero and anti-celebrity attitude. Cube isn’t going to deviate from it either. Producer Da Beatsmith matches Cube's cerebral flow on "Places" and newcomers Djay Cas & Yung Fokus make a significant contribution as singer Butch Cassidy adds to Cube's delivery on "Away." Ice Cube does have moments here of simply showcasing rhyme skills for fun-lovers. See "Get Used To It" featuring The Game and WC. Cube's rhymes are certainly impressive when they get this raw.
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