With benefit of hindsight, we now understand that most rappers are indeed earnest, but few intend their words to be taken with the same weight as a heartfelt proclamation by a guitar-strumming folkie. Ice Cube's third solo... more » release, taken the wrong way, is a hateful tract full of misogyny, anti-Semitism, homophobia, and violently prejudicial remarks toward just about every other ethnic group; anyone missed in this skein was an oversight. However, with the exception of some choice words for NWA's former manager, Cube's remarks are best seen as caricatures--well, OK, grotesques--rather than perspectives. His spoken intros and the way in which the songs broke into episodes broadly hinted at Ice Cube's move into film. Years later, it's easier to ignore the hateful spew and admire the formal innovations featured on this recording, which helped make Ice Cube into a multimedia star. --Martin Johnson« less
With benefit of hindsight, we now understand that most rappers are indeed earnest, but few intend their words to be taken with the same weight as a heartfelt proclamation by a guitar-strumming folkie. Ice Cube's third solo release, taken the wrong way, is a hateful tract full of misogyny, anti-Semitism, homophobia, and violently prejudicial remarks toward just about every other ethnic group; anyone missed in this skein was an oversight. However, with the exception of some choice words for NWA's former manager, Cube's remarks are best seen as caricatures--well, OK, grotesques--rather than perspectives. His spoken intros and the way in which the songs broke into episodes broadly hinted at Ice Cube's move into film. Years later, it's easier to ignore the hateful spew and admire the formal innovations featured on this recording, which helped make Ice Cube into a multimedia star. --Martin Johnson
"this album is pretty hard to listen to. neither cube's unflinching examinations of early 90s young black male attitudes or his personal venom directed at critics, sellouts, uncle toms and at nwa pulls any punches (though the accusations of anti-semitism on this album are greatly exaggerated). it is a brutal listen at times and not for the close-minded, the timid or the ignorant.
but there is no way anyone can deny the absolutely incredible musicality at work here. the massively underrated sir jinx as well as cube himself craft unbelievable beats obviously heavily influenced by the bomb squad production on the first ice cube record. the amount of texture and depth to these beats, and the inventiveness and precision of the sample use, results in some of the finest beats ever heard in hip hop. some of the best bits include the muffled drunken wail of the horns and the funky breakdown on "black korea", the huge snare on "man's best friend", the ridiculous vocal sample on "my summer vacation", the bird call scratches on "a bird in the hand". and ice cube as a rapper - his turn of phrase, his rhythm and his immense voice - was never and has not been better. every syllable is ferociously slammed onto the beat like one of those licence plate machines and enunciated with such unbelievable clarity and power.
not for the weak of heart or mind. but a infinitely rewarding musical experience"
This cd is bumpin from the begging 2 the end
John | oaktown | 04/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you know what real hip-hop music is then this cd is a classic. This is one of the few cds i can listen 2 all the way thru. The lyrics are crips and easily understood. RIP Eazy"
"Here's a new gift to give, try my Death Certificate"
aL | Melbourne, Australia | 06/21/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is arguably 'Cube's finest (AMW afficionado's will digress), being conceptually, lyrically, and musically even tighter than his solo debut (hard to believe but true). This album was the first 'gangsta' rap album I purchased serving as an introduction to the genre as a whole (a good choice as it turned out, Cube is a lyrical giant). As vulgar as Cube's lyrics often become, they are almost always insightful, making the sentiments expressed in this album complex: neither entirely commendable or condemnable. That said, I believe 'Death Certificate' to be one of the great hip-hop albums with some of the best music (courtesy of Sir Jinx) and lyrics (A Bird in the Hand, Us, Color Blind) ever put on wax. Sadly, 'Cube would never make a statement this forceful again."
Far from a sophomore slump. Excellent Album!
D. Laurie | North Charleston, South Carolina United States | 09/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ice Cube is a genius, this album proves my theory. Ice Cube leaves no stone uncovered on this album, wheter it is racism ("Horny Lil Devil"), STD awareness ("Look Who's Burning"), remembering his days as a youth ("Doing Dumb S***") or any other issue he was sure to mark his opinion. The reason this album is so essential is because it is well rounded and not too long. The way he separates the album is the "Death Side" & the "Alive Side".
Among the albums highlights are "Giving Up The Nappy Dugout" a tale about an overprotective father who screens his daughters date at the front door. "A Bird In The Hand" a tale about the social issues surrounding Ice Cube. "Doing Dumb S***" where Cube takes us back to the early eighties late seventies describing tales of mischief he created. To tell you the truth every song on this album is a certified classic in my opinion.
Overall you will not be disappointed upon purchaing this album. If you are still skeptikal, buy a used copy and see how well you like it. Thank you for reading"
Cube's Visionary Masterpiece!
blazerfan0 | Oregon | 07/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ice Cube brought everything on this album. He brings a format where he is able to speak on a wide array of subjects and uses each individual song to express new topics. It's this type of vision that is not often seen and even less accomplished by other artists. Cube employs unbelievable storytelling skills that create pictures so clear no one can mistake what he is talking about. For some this album might be too over the top, but that is Ice Cube's point. If it didn't strike a chord in people, would they really pay as much attention to the more basic images that Ice Cube lays as the foundation for each song? Probably not, similar to what Eminem does today, Ice Cube gets you to listen to his albums.
"The Wrong N---- To F--- Wit" has Ice Cube setting the tone for the entire album as he shows he's not backing down from anything and everything. "My Summer Vacation" is storytelling at its best. One of Cube's many classics, with a superb beat. "Steady Mobbin'" seems more like an introspective into his life as he explains why he has do what he does. "Givin' Up The Nappy Dug Out" is a funny song with a protective dad who won't let her daughter go out with a "shady character" like Ice Cube. "Look Who's Burnin'" is a timeless classic about STD's. "A Bird In The Hand" talks about the hardships minorities face growing up. It has one of best lines on the album "a bird in the hand is worth more than a Bush", a quick shot at George Bush. "Man's Best Friend" is a great song about why man's new best friend is a gun, not a dog because of the changing times. "Alive On Arrival" is the highlight of the album as Ice Cube runs through an unbelievable story beginning with him getting shot and having to go to an overworked, run-down county hospital. "I Wanna Kill Sam" is self-explanatory as Uncle Sam is not Cube's favorite Uncle. "Horny Lil' Devil" is Cube using his sense of humor with interracial relationships. "Black Korea" is Cube again being over-the-top and using his humor to show his detest for Korean store owners in the ghetto. On "Color Blind" Cube goes through a story about how he's not down with the gangs and says he's "color blind". "US" is an introspective look as Ice Cube attacks his own culture and addresses African-American problems. "No Vaseline" is a viscious attack at N.W.A. and Ruthless records.
This is one of the greatest and most focused albums of all-time. Great production and amazing storytelling from Ice Cube make this an album that every hip-hop fan should have."