Favorite track off Ice Cube's - "Death Certificate" (Poll & Discussion)

[HollywoodP]

But a bird in the hand is worth more than the bush

came into say this...Such a dope song...and that beat just transports you man...

Definetely inspired the 2nd part of Kendricks "Madd City"

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

Music will always be subjective to the listener but in the realm of rap there are very few that can claim to be the GOAT. But when you talk about classic albums, I believe death certificate is one of the best and most important albums ever. An album like that couldn't be released today with critical acclaim from a mainstream rapper.

With that being said, "Alive on Arrival" is probably my favorite.

I think that song resonated with so many people because there have plenty of poor black people who didn't have insurance, went to a county hospital, and had to wait forever to be seen. Most times their symptoms got worst and even died especially at LA county. It was very vivid story telling that you didn't hear from west coast rappers at that time because the going narrative was only NY dudes were lyrical.

88-92 ice cube was a beast. His nwa work, 1st two albums, west side connection & film work is enough for him to be on the Mt. rushmore of rap. With all of that being said I can't put him in my personal top 5 DOA because after the predator album in '92 his albums got worse and he lost his passion...

I feel what you're saying right until that last part in bold

top 5's are subjective of course and the second part about album regression is true no doubt, but that's because his peak work was unmatched by ANYBODY in hip-hop history that any album thereafter would naturally be a disappointment

still, Westside Connect first album was great. Lethal Injection is fantastic, albeit he rode on the g-funk wave. War and Peace were pretty average though. But after that he came back strong with Laugh Now and Raw Footage, especially the latter.

 

[heart]

I feel what you're saying right until that last part in bold

top 5's are subjective of course and the second part about album regression is true no doubt, but that's because his peak work was unmatched by ANYBODY in hip-hop history that any album thereafter would naturally be a disappointment

still, Westside Connect first album was great. Lethal Injection is fantastic, albeit he rode on the g-funk wave. War and Peace were pretty average though. But after that he came back strong with Laugh Now and Raw Footage, especially the latter.

Excellent points.

But from the other perspective, I dont think his downfall as far album quality had anything to due with his peak, I think it was more about his subject matter.

88-92 he was militant, NOI following cube. Once he lost that edge, his music changed. I did love his song child support on the laugh now album though.

In a sense you can compare his album's to nas in a sense that critics of nas said he couldnt match illmatic and every album after that seemed to not fulfill that magic.

With cube in my own opinion, after the predator album he lost his fire. And you're right about the westside connection debut album, it was classic, I forgot about that.

 

[Inspect Her Deck]

Excellent points.

But from the other perspective, I dont think his downfall as far album quality had anything to due with his peak, I think it was more about his subject matter.

88-92 he was militant, NOI following cube. Once he lost that edge, his music changed. I did love his song child support on the laugh now album though.

In a sense you can compare his album's to nas in a sense that critics of nas said he couldnt match illmatic and every album after that seemed to not fulfill that magic.

With cube in my own opinion, after the predator album he lost his fire. And you're right about the westside connection debut album, it was classic, I forgot about that.

I see what you're saying. He veered away from that content but there's only so much of that stuff you can do you know? I like that we have a g-funk album that in terms of pure quality can stand up to The Predator. AmeriKKKa's Most are DC are obviously perfect albums, but then Predator/Lethal Injection are like 9.5/10 albums, one more NOI content based and the other g-funk, but still musical quality, lyricism was still there.

The actual fall off was undoubtedly after Westside Connect and the release of the War and Peace series.

I see the Nas comparison but also I don't. Cube's had great production always but Nas' ear for beats is terrible and his material just isn't as thought-provoking imo.

But in terms of Illmatic comparisons, for sure. He was doomed as soon as he released that album.

 

[King Poetic]

There's no wrong choice period

Every song, interlude is classic

It's a album that could equal today's social and economic and political problems as blacks we facing

U could argue Cube had the greatest u can say 5 year period in hip hop from 88 to 93

 

[CSquare43]

There is absolutely no way that I could pick 1 song from this album.......whole sh*t is fire.....

Buy me a ragtop trey on some gold Daytons with the 3-wheel motion, Kenwood pull-out, three-finger ring, fat ass link, AND A BIG BOOTY bytch TO GO WITH 'EM

".....break 'em off something..."

 

[mobbinfms]

After this I looked for anything Kam spit on...

I'm fresh out the county on bail an no sooner do I get out seems like I'm right back in jail for some gang related activity 'cause everyday different fools wanna get wit me..For no more than a color a territory can't rehabilitate 'em that's the sheriff's story so what's left?? the judge goes deaf when u try to tell yo side and u ain't blue eyed? ..Boy ya betta duck 'cause tha book is covered so just hand ya car keys over to ya woman..'Cause there ain't no sunshine where u headed and the shyt'll drive u crazy if u let it..But now I got time to think because they hit me wit everything but the kitchen sink an' I ain't even shed a tear 'cause believe it or not they got mo' love for me here

I had Kam's first album on cassette off the strength of being a Cube Stan at the time and Peace Treaty.

 

[H. Selassie]

No Vaseline of course.


After that I'd say Steady Mobbin

 

[Deoji]

Am i the only one who thought the beat to No Vaseline was too "happy"? Don't get me wrong, it's a top 5 diss record but my initial reaction was "why he use THIS beat"? It's a good contrast tho.

Cube ALWAYS had the hype 1st track...it was like a tradition

Bird in the Hand was my shyt tho. Same sample from Boyz in the Hood "what up punk....what up fool".... RIP BB King

 

[Mr Clean]

This is a hard fukking choice. Might have to go with My Summer Vacation
Crazy how effortless Cube's story telling was on the album. Alive on Arrival went over my head when I was younger but man that shyt is amazing. This whole album aging like wine

 

[Techniec]

bird in the hand...summer vacation....true to the game

but truly the whole album front to back is amazing

 

[Pinyapplesuckas]

always hated that there is a closeup of feet on this cover

 

[mobbinfms]

always hated that there is a closeup of feet on this cover

 

[nieman]

steady Mobbin for me

 

[Still Benefited]

Gotta say Tru to the Game,that record is too powerful...but then again i play the shyt outta Steady Mobbin too.

This album is the goat album,the true bible of hiphop...im getting offended with these illmatic comparisons....illmatic aint shyt but a lyrical display with dope production...Cube on the other hand gave you a timeless piece of literature on wax....Cube gave you Soul On Ice(the book) on wax,but it would read just as powerful and as important in paperback form....you cant compare that to Illmatic or 99% of these albums....Cubes words is just to impactful and really grabs you....salute to John Singleton for seeing that,and realizing Cube had a gift for great writing that he could translate into ANY arena.

2 undeniable solo classics,1 damn near classic,2 GREAT albums out of his prime,3 classic group albums with 3 different groups

you really have no arguent as Cube as the goat other than denial,Pac is my goat but even i know i couldnt make a real case against Cube with all things considered....and people actually have the nerve to not put him in they top 5....fukk that,if you wont I will,Cube is in all yalls top 5s from now on, til u can explain why he shouldnt be,and since you cant do that,enjoy your new top 5