Disco de Ice Cube: “AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted [PA] [Remaster]”

If you ask this reviewer, Ice Cube's solo career remains the best of the N.W.A. collective (which included Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, MC Ren, and Ice Cube). After all these years, "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" sounds just as raw as the day it was released. The album dropped one year after the landmark album "Straight Outta Compton", and builds on the political and cultural commentary, bringing it to a higher level.

Ice Cube holds absolutely nothing back on his solo debut. His unapologetic lyrics touch on several topics; including street life, gangs, drugs, kids, a woman's place in the hip-hop world, and politics (among others). Standouts include the riveting title cut, the hilarious story-telling of "You Can't Fade Me", the enthralling production of "JD's Gafflin'", "A Gangster's Fairy Tale" where Ice Cube talks to the kids, "Endangered Species (Tales From The Darkside)" featuring Chuck D from Public Enemy, "Who's The Mack?", and the interesting commentary about a woman's place in hip-hop "It's A Man's World" featuring (female emcee) Yo-Yo.

Overall, those who thought Dr. Dre's "The Chronic" was the best thing to come out of the N.W.A. collective should check this out. If you think "The Chronic" is slightly overrated (like myself), you should definitely check this out. Don't be caught sleeping.

America'a Most Wanted Ice Tray stuns the world with his classic "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" and changes the face of rap forever. A little bit like MC Hammer has just smoked a bag of rock and lets out all his agro on mic for an album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted is some funny stuff with bullets ripping in the background soundtrack from start to finish, is also inspiring in that Ice Tray raps like a maniac for an hour. The beats are funky. This is a great album to add to any classic connection. The fact that it came out two years before the LA Riots is prophetic... maybe played a part in it... a big one. Just get it and play it LOUD. The funk is amazing and is now replaced by hip-hop. You won't come across anything like this in a hurry again.

I remember back in the day when this album dropped. We didnt know what to expect. NWA had the fans in their corner and we all thought Ice Cube was ill for leaving NWA. But then something happened....... ICE CUBE hit us all with something never really heard before. It was a whole album of Boyz n the Hood and Dopeman all in one. Ice Cube continued owning the streets respect and held the crown til Dr. Dre dropped "The Chronic".

I also recommend: ICE CUBE "Death Certificate" cd. Another classic cd by one of rap music's best lyricist. Ice Cube is definitely no dummy on the mic.

Ice Cube didn't need to be in N.W.A. in order to be a classic MC. After he departed the group in 1989, he starts recording under his own name, in which he can express his ideas well without anything holding him back. After many listens to this album, I can easily say that this is the best thing that has ever been released by an N.W.A. affiliated member? Why do I say that?

First off, Ice Cube was one impressive lyricist. While he kept his gangsta rap roots that he got from N.W.A., he also adds a conscious twist to his lyrics not unlike Public Enemy and KRS-One/BDP. Cube addressed real-life situations in his songs, whether it would be police brutality based on the Rodney King incident("Endangered Species"), unplanned pregnancy and trying to get out of it ("You Can't Fade Me"), talking to the kids ("A Gangster's Fairytale") or even a battle of the sexes involving female rapper Yo-Yo in "It's a Man's World". Whatever situation Cube brought up, he always knew how to bring it up perfectly through his rhymes.

The Bomb Squad's production is ace. The samples used, featuring newscasts and other sayings based on Cube's lyrics, blend in a perfect sense. It's completely original and even stands the test of time with its style.

Along with this West Coast classic, we also have the "Kill at Will" EP included as well, being originally released in late 1990, not many months after this. The EP tracks feature a remix of "Endangered Species", in which Chuck D from Public Enemy raps a completely new verse, the multi-instrumental beats used with Cube's rapping in "Jackin' for Beats", and the single "Dead Homiez" that focuses on killings in urban society. "Kill at Will" has 4 newer tracks, 2 remixes of AMW tracks and a short interlude.

This is definitely the package to pick up if you want to hear Ice Cube at the top of his game. Even after over 15 years, it still sounds as refreshing as it was back then.

Ice Cube leaving NWA was the best move because mentally he was light years ahead of them. This album is more gangsta than conscious but it still has its gems like THE N***A YA LOVE TO HATE, AMERIKKKA'S MOST WANTED, YOU CANT FADE ME, ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE PROJECTS, TURN OF THE RADIO(this song inspired Dead Prez's mixtape), A GANGSTA'S FAIRYTALE, ROLLIN WITH THE LENCH MOB, WHO'S THE MACK, JACKIN FOR BEATS, THE PRODUCT and DEAD HOMIEZ. Filler: Im Only Out For One Thang(featuring Flava Flav or Slava Slave)is the only track that is weak. Bottom Line: Amerikkka's Most Wanted is a magnificent debut by one of the most important emcee of our time. Its a must have for any rap fan who remembers what Ice Cube was.