It comes as no surprise that the acting bug has put in recording career in the backseat. Between negotiating multi-million deals for sequels and setting box-office records for his comedies, there isn’t a lot of time to stay focused in the studio these days. His tenth solo studio album, Everythang’s Corrupt is about a month overdue its initial release date but his existing discography more than makes up for the delay.
As Cube prepares to star alongside Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum once in again Columbia Pictures and MGM’s 22 Jump Street, Hip-Hop Wired deemed it appropriate to remind everyone why Cube created a name for himself to begin with.
Scroll through the list below to see the 22 best Ice Cube songs of all-time. Don’t forget to check out 22 Jump Street when it hits theaters on June 13, 2014.
22. “Wicked”
Just call it rap ‘n roll.
21. “The World Is Mine”
Global domination from the western corner of the United States’ map.
20. “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It”
Cube refused to allow reality rap become a scapegoat for the national tragedies of today.
19. “Why We Thugs”
White America’s questions were answered on a dance beat. Now that’s gangsta.
18. “You Know How We Do It”
Planet California has its own way of life. Get hip.
17. “Pushin Weight” ft. Mr. Short Khop
16. “Dr. Frankenstein” ft. Mr. Short Khop
South Central created a monster.
15. “Hello” ft. Dr. Dre & MC Ren
Cube said he regretted not working with Dre more often. Here’s why.
14. “Smoke Some Weed”
Long live Prop 8.
13. “Alive On Arrival”
So-called menaces to society never got any love from paramedics
12. “Friday”
T.G.I.F. all day, everyday.
11. “Jackin For Beats”
Did Cube pioneer the mixtape as we came to know it? He made a strong case for such a statement in 1990.
10. “Check Yo Self (Remix)” ft. Das EFX
Occasionally remixes get the message across better than the original. Here’s a prime example.
9. “How To Survive In South Central”
Calling 911 was pointless in the concrete jungle. This was your best bet.
8. “A Gangsta’s Fairytale”
Amerikkka’s Most Wanted birthed the ghetto nursery rhyme.
7. “We Be Clubbing”
The unofficial anthem for bottle poppers and bad Spades hands.
6. “Ghetto Vet”
Cube doesn’t get enough credit for his storytelling ability. This is motion picture rap.
5. “Once Upon A Time In The Projects”
Not all days are good ones.
4. “No Vaseline”
This was the equivalent of Tony Montana killing Manolo in Scarface. Just brutal.
If you didn’t see this one coming, you’re not that familiar with Ice Cube. Start at the beginning of the list and get affiliated. R.I.P. Seattle Supersonics.
