Review Summary: Ice Cube comes out with his first album that is NOT classic, but it's excellent nonetheless.
Critical Responses:
Allmusic: 4/5
Entertainment Weekly: A-
Q Magazine: 4/5
Rolling Stone: 2.5/5
Rolling Stone (2003): 4/5
Rolling Stone Album Guide: 3.5/5
With this release, I'm sure that with two classic predecessors, that fans were expecting that this would be nothing less than classic. Well, I'm sure that those fans were disappointed, because this is not classic. However, that does NOT mean that this isn't a great album. This album came out around the time of the L.A riots, and the whole Rodney King situation, so of course there were songs about that. With the previous albums, Ice Cube targeted pretty much any target in sight, society, women, whites, Koreans, N.W.A members, MC Hammer, and others. Also, Ice Cube had an attitude that was, don't care what other people think, and he was angry as well, also unapolagetic. Now for the track by track review.
1. The First Day of School: Just an intro.
2. When Will They Shoot: This song has Ice Cube picking up where Death Certificate left off, angry. Classic song. This song samples, "Treat Her Like a Prostitute" by Slick Rick, and other songs. 5/5
3. I'm Scared: Just an interlude.
4. Wicked: This song has Ice Cube rhyming about the L.A Riots. This is a hardcore song. Classic song. This song samples, "Looseys" by Das EFX, "Can't Truss It", and "Welcome to the Terrordome" by Public Enemy, and other songs. 5/5
5. Now I Gotta Wet'Cha: This song has Ice Cube rhyming hardcore. Great song. 4/5
7. It Was a Good Day: This song is the most well known Ice Cube song. This song is basically Ice Cube rhyming about what a good day is for someone living where Ice Cube lives. Classic song. This song has been sampled in, "No Sleep" by Wiz Khalifa, and other songs. 5/5
8. We Had to Tear This Mothaf***a Up: This song has Ice Cube rhyming about the L.A Riots some more. This song also has Ice Cube rhyming about what should have happened after the police officers accused of beating Rodney King was let off free. Classic song. 5/5
9. F**k Em: Just an interlude.
10. Dirty Mack: This song has Ice Cube rhyming about how he is a pimp. The only complaint that I have with this song, is that seems out of character for Ice Cube. Great song. 4/5
11. Don't Trust Em: This song has Ice Cube rhyming about how you shouldn't trust women. Great song. This song samples, "A B***h Iz a B***h" by N.W.A, "Don't Believe the Hype" by Public Enemy, and other songs. 4/5
12. Gangsta's Fairytale 2: This song is a sequel, to the original Gangsta's Fairytale on AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. This song definitely is not as good as the original. Great song. 4/5
13. Check Yo Self: This song features Das EFX, who do an excellent job. This is NOT the remix with the beat of "The Message" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, which is a better version. Classic song. This song samples, "The New Style" by Beastie Boys, and other songs. This song has been sampled in, "Gimme Da 90's" by KRS-One, and other songs. 5/5
14. Who Got the Camera?: This is a great song. This song samples, "Just a Friendly Game of Baseball" by Main Source, and other songs. 4/5
15. Integration: Just an interlude.
16. Say Hi to the Bad Guy: This song has Ice Cube rhyming about how he is generally recognized as a bad guy. Great song. 4/5
Overall, I give this, 4/5, 8/10, 80/100, and my grade for this is, "B-". Although this is DEFINITELY not as good as his first 2 efforts, this still is recommended by me, if you're an Ice Cube fan.
3 Best Songs:
1. We Had to Tear This Mothaf***a Up
2. When Will They Shoot
3. Wicked
3 Weakest Songs:
1. Dirty Mack
2. Gangsta's Fairytale 2
3. Who Got the Camera?
