In an illustrious career that spans over two decades and half a dozen facets of the entertainment industry, Ice Cube’s loyalties will also reside in Hip Hop. Ever since breaking mainstream ground with Straight Outta Compton and former group N.W.A., the veteran Los Angeles rapper has been an adamant fixture in challenging the status quo, and the same should hold true for his upcoming album Everythang’s Corrupt. Lead by the title-track, Everythang’s Corrupt will shed light on today’s cultural hypocrisy in a way only Cube could illustrate.
Speaking with HipHopDX last week, Ice Cube discussed the approach he took in making Everythang’s Corrupt and why he’s refrained from littering his album with unnecessary features. A gatekeeper of the West Coast scene, Cube also commended Kendrick Lamar’s latest efforts and explained how N.W.A. set the tone for more creative freedom within the industry.
HipHopDX: You’re fittingly releasing the record and video “Everythang’s Corrupt” from the new album by the same name on the eve of the 2012 election. It has the tagline in the hook, “For my birthday, buy me a politician.” Was it a conscious decision to open up your new album campaign with this record?
Ice Cube: You know, this record is for the political heads. This to me is more a leak at the right time, in time, to drop it. We could have dropped a more catchier tune, but the time wouldn’t have been right. The time is right for “Everythang’s Corrupt,” so that’s what we wanted to do. We wanted to drop it at this point and time, and then come with a visual to highlight what we’re saying in the music.
DX: Hearing Rage Against The Machine’s guitarist Tom Morello shredding in the background really brings a raw yet refreshing vibe to the record that I think wouldn’t have been present if it were just simply done on a computer program. With both of you sharing similar identities when it comes to socio-political views, what took so long for you guys to hook up on a track?
Ice Cube: It’s just one of those things where we ain’t really cross each other’s path. I’m one of those artists who thinks we have to get a bond before you can really jump in there and do something cool. I haven’t really been into record companies throwing things together, so that’s why things don’t happen. He’s cool so it was only right, and I’m hoping we can do more stuff.
DX: With your last album I Am West released in 2010, and looking at some of the other track list titles you have for this album, “One For The Money,” “The Big Show,” “Can I Get Some Of That West Coast Shit,” what else has O’Shea Jackson seen in the last three years that you’re bringing to the table with Everythang’s Corrupt?
Ice Cube: Well you know, I got a song on there called “Dominate The Weak,” which is really what you feel sometimes from being in America. Sometimes it feels like a police state in a lot of ways. I wrote that record when a lot of that whole 99% thing was going on and the crackdowns that were starting to happen. It just kind of made me think of that record. That’s one of those political songs to me that’s vintage Ice Cube.
DX: Earlier this year you said the album was a little over halfway done. With the projected scheduled release date for January 2013, who else have you gotten a chance to work with on this new album?
Ice Cube: Really, a lot of the producers that I’ve been working with, and I got my sons [OMG and Doughboy] on the record. When I go to do a record, the last thing I’m thinking about is who else I can work on it with. I really think I’m a throwback when it comes to that. I think when you buy an Ice Cube record, that’s what you should get. I don’t really like doing these compilation-type records, I don’t really like hearing them either. That’s what I try to do when I do a record, to make sure it’s my internal thoughts and feelings and really getting a slice of me and not just a bunch of features.
DX: Defintely. I think you can say the same thing about a buzzing artist from the West Coast in Kendrick Lamar. It’s clear as a veteran emcee who’s been an integral part of laying down a foundation for Los Angeles rappers, that’s still evident today as well with Kendrick. He’s even named Death Certificate as one of the essential albums he listened to growing up. With that said, how does it feel to see someone like Kendrick successfully maneuvering through the industry in an honest manner?
Ice Cube: It’s great, man. It’s great for true artists who are not people who are chasing the charts or worried about who’s on the Billboard [charts]. You can respect an artist like that. We are like painters; you either do it because you love it or you do it ‘cause you’re trying to get rich. I think people can see that, and they reward true talent. When true talent steps on the scene, it should be rewarded, whether it’s deep music that grips your soul or it’s just booty-shaking music. If you’re a true original, you should be recognized and applauded to reap the benefits more than these one-hitter-quitters that you see.
DX: It’s crazy to think that Kendrick was only a few months old when N.W.A. And The Posse was released in 1987, and yet that sound is still relevant today. It speaks to your longevity.
Ice Cube: Yeah. It’s a thing where N.W.A. changed the trajectory of a lot of pop culture to the point where it still lingers, just how ferocious that music was and how unforgiving the music was. To me, there’s a reason why N.W.A. is considered the world’s most dangerous group. N.W.A. really set the tone for shows like The Sopranos or The Osbournes, even stuff like Family Guy, just how far they take it on TV. I don’t think a reality show would ever get made without N.W.A. People cuss, [they] say “Fuck, shit” and it’s okay, bleep it. Let people be themselves, let artists be themselves. You don’t have to be fake to be a star.
yes please !!!
now give us the album
Don Mega returns! Video is dope.
dope, truth. we need this right now.
Can’t wait for Cube’s new album. The new tracks good and i’ll have to give it a listen without the visual as it’s distracting, but on purpose of course.
Did Cube just say NWA is responsible for Jersey Shore? Gottamn you Ice Cube!
gottamn you illiterate niggas , he meant before nwa all these tv stars were a facade and not real
killed by CIA 2013
Far cry from the political knowledge & rage he was spittin on AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted & Death Certificate, would have been nice to have a faster more agressive beat & a Immortal Technique feature or something.
Hahha “You dont have to be fake to be a star” isnt the best way to explain reality TV, everything else he said was on point though
“he meant before nwa all these tv stars were a facade and not real”
NWA was a facade and not real. Cube saying they influenced The Sopranos lol That’s too funny.
He didn’t say he influenced them, he said they set the tone for those type of shows, although I feel 2 live crew, Ice T, along with NWA did that together. Entertainment was a lot more tame then, shock value was not a selling point yet unless it was a rated R movie.
Note: Ozzy influenced the Osbournes can’t give him credit for that, dude been sick.
Yeah he was reaching with the Soprano’s line////
His last album was awful, so I’m surprised he’s even coming back for more. He had a successful rap career. Just step down and let your previous work stand.
diagree.
ice cube is needed..
The same nigga that starred in Are We There Yet. I can’t respect a sellout like that.
You don’t like a man making money to feed his family dumbass? It’s a movie for kids, not him in blackface dancing and washing the feet of whitey. Some folks are dumb as a mofo. Like this one above.
And yo azz probably work @ church’s chicken, or even better yet-living in your mom’s basement. Talking about who you can’t respect. Get a damn life, dude is a millionaire, feeding his family,created a brand, living his dreams and you call him a sell out? Why, because he’s not drinking 40’s of St.Ides and rapping about capping yo black azz in an alley? Meanwhile, what are you doing? The real sellout is the unemployed, uneducated dumbazz crashing another man’s accomplishments. Sell Out.
Great Song. Play this all day everyday. Kids listen up they lying to you.
Nigga please. You have shit way better than this. Like the nigga on my dick said, “Just step down and let your previous work stand”, cause your new shit is ruining your beautiful career.
The beat is garbage and so is the flow. Damn Cube, in ’91 you was the man Cube, what the fuck happened to you???
I got rich biatch!!!!
My Nig felt good hearing some good thoughts
Cube is set so any album he drops is gonna be from his heart so I doubt he the new artists are trying to accomplish now he’s done it and still eating good off it.
Damn Cube get off my dick and make that new Friday already.
fuck you
Ice Cube needs promotion in order to sell album. Song is good, but i don’t like the beat.
he doesn’t give a fuck about sales , he doesn’t pay for radio plays , that’s why nobody plays his songs , he doesn’t give a fuck mtv or bet , that’s why he posts the music video on the net
Nigga had an interview just like this one a few years ago.
90% of hip hop fans are just cunts- love to hate
Cube is a legend, and he’s right kendrick is real unlike most rap artists – 2chainz future french montana lil wayne officer ricky, mgk wacka floca
i hate rap fans always fu*king moaniong like bitches over something
most fans jealous as fuck
fuck all yall
“ice cube is needed”
But wait… We finally agree. WC needs him.
“He didn’t say he influenced them, he said they set the tone for those type of shows”
Thank you for clarifying that Mr. Blogger. I am truly non humbled.
Cube needs WC since he cant make good westcoast music anymore. WTF is Cube doin singin on a trap/808 sound beat
looool your the dumbest person on earth , this beat is a str8 west coast beat you dumb bitch , there’s not even an 808 here
Cube is a Living legend. he’s one of the greatest and that’s undeniable..his recent record of releases has been awful..but this song is dope! so lets give him a chance..after all it is the “crazy mutherfuka named ice cube”!!!
YALL LAME AND HATING 15 YR OLDS NEED TO GO RIDE THE FRENCH FRY, GAY MILLY, AND LAME CHAINZZZ,, GAAY BEING BRAINWASHED WITH CRAP MUSIK RESPECT THE LEGEND THE DONMEGA THIS SON TO HARD FOR YALL TO COMPREHEND, SAD TO SEE WERE WE AT WITH MUSIC
Cube is a fuckin beast period…..
Tight! Cube’s Mine! you’ll can have lame a$$ Drake and 2Chainz, but Cube….. He’s My Man!!
Ice Cube iz da best from da West.
Now this is what I’m talking about…the record/video is dope and only ppl that “know” music can appreciate great music like this because the beat goes hard and the subject matter is a much broader and relevant topic then rappin about jewelry, selling drugs, and bragging about oneself.
I’m def copping the album…Thanks Cube.
wish Cube gave Game this advice…seems to me Jesus Piece is going in the wrong direction…word up Ice Cube
Video somehow reminds Gangsta Rap Made me do it. Dope as well
I love Ice Cube, I love what he is doing, I 100% agree with this guy on everything, he is a true legend with a strong spirit, he’s going to heaven!! This song Everythang’s fucked up is my new favorite!! I appreciate this cube thanks alot! Westside in this muphafucka right here!!!!!!!!! YOU DID IT !!! YOUR AN ACCOMPLISHMENT !!!!!!
Ice the true hip-hop gangsta.His next album will buy and to hear very high.The creator of That Shit gangsta.