Nov 19, 2024 Surprised it's taken me this long to make this thread... “You’re not going to have a 40-year career unless you can give people music that they can use in their daily life,” explains Ice Cube. Six years since his last solo album, one of Hip Hop’s living legends returns with a conceptual body of work in Man Down. This 19-song collection examines the status of manhood in the present day and offers wisdom and criticism from a steadfast alpha male of the entertainment industry. Here’s the reveal of the tracklist: Rollin’ At Twilight – 2:56 – Produced by: Cassius Jay & Elon Deondre Brown It’s My Ego – 3:44 – Produced by: The Almighty E-A-Ski So Sensitive – 2:49 – Produced by: TMix She’s Sanctified (Feat. Snoop Dogg, E-40, Too Short & October London) – 4:15 – Produced by: TMix Not Like Them – 3:36 – Produced by: Nottz 5150 – 3:45 – Produced by: BiggVon No Cap (Feat. K-Major, Ishadon, Mike Epps) – 2:53 – Produced by: Zaytoven & Co-produced by: Mike Epps 3 Lil Piggies – 1:51 – Produced by: Policy Kings Ghetto Story – 3:08 – Produced by: TMix Facts (Feat. J-Dee of the Lench Mob) – 2:41 – Produced by: DecadeZ Fighting For My Life In Paradise (Feat. Kurupt) – 2:59 – Produced by: David Banner Let’s Get Money Together (Feat. B-Real of Cypress Hill) – 3:01 – Produced by: DecadeZ I’mma Burn Rubber – 3:22 – Produced by: DecadeZ Especially You – 3:30 – Produced by: Ice Cube Break The Mirror (Feat. Xzibit) – 3:05 – Produced by: Samuel “The IIIrd” Elliot & BiggVon Talkin’ Bout These Rappers – 3:59 – Produced by: Lil Jon & Young Slade Scary Movie – 2:50 – Produced by: Hallway Productionz Take Me To Your Leader – 3:09 – Produced by: David Banner Ego Maniacs (Feat. Killer Mike & Busta Rhymes) – 3:38 – Produced by: The Almighty E-A-Ski “It’s really about me thinking real men need to stand up. I think we’re already down in a lot of ways,” Cube explains. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Man Down including insights into the creation of the album cover and recording sessions with featured artists. The exclusive BTS clip dives into the themes, artistry, and mindset that fueled this album. Watch the clip here and pre-save Man Down here to be the first to hear it when it drops. Man Down Album Bio The rap star-turned-mogul returns to his roots to confront misinformation and put a sense of pride back into a masculine identity. This album stays true to the core of who Ice Cube is—blending powerful messages with music that honors a rich and dynamic legacy—from lowrider funk to hardcore West Coast beats. “I’ve always adhered to ‘you’re now about to witness the strength of street knowledge,’” Cube shares, quoting the preamble from “Straight Outta Compton.” Over 35 years later, Cube’s street knowledge has delivered him from a Hip-Hop-obsessed teen in the streets of Los Angeles to the red carpet, the director’s chair, the owner’s box, and the board room. From an era where his peers chased girls, sold dope, joined gangs, or played ball to be recognized, Cube paved a lane with music—becoming one of Rap’s greatest voices, storyboarders, and lyricists. “I was rapping for fun, never knowing I would make a quarter. And it’s always been fun. Then I met Dr. Dre, and my life changed,” he says, looking back nearly 40 years ago. That passion is palpable on Man Down as Cube glides over tracks with pithy lines like “This ain’t yellin’ / This is storytellin’.” “It continues to be fun. I never let the business sour me when it comes to my love of hip-hop and Rap, music, and culture. It’s unmatched,” he shares. Handfuls of household hit songs, eight platinum albums, and Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame inductions have not compromised a teenage dream. “When I focus on music, it allows me to forget about everything else and zone out.” Decades after Cube cemented his status among the greatest ever to do it, Man Down reflects an urgency and a reason to speak now. “It’s My Ego” encourages the listener to speak up, stand up, and flaunt their feelings when the time is tight. Cube refers to some wisdom he received when describing the standout song. “It’s easier to stay true to yourself than constantly change for others’ expectations. There’s real truth in that.” Another highlight, “Ghetto Story,” traces a childhood bond that sours during adulthood due to deceit and betrayal. “It’s something that many people are going through and dealing with,” he says. “I just wanted to give people vision. Sometimes people don’t know what’s happening around them ’til a song like that comes on.” “Talkin’ Bout These Rappers” jabs at the media—and social media, often composed of former rap hopefuls, who trash the culture while making dollars in the name of likes, followers, and subscribers. The artist who famously appeared with his mouth taped closed on one magazine cover does not mince words critiquing keyboard critics and trolls. Throughout the 19-song treatment, authenticity is the thruline. “It’s about responding to people that have been down with me for 40 years,” he acknowledges. The album draws on the music that inspired Ice Cube through samples and interpolations. “What you hear is me getting back to West Coast grooves,” he details. The album’s opener, “Rollin’ At Twilight,” puts the journey in cruise control. “That really sounds like car music—basslines, melodies, and grooves that make you feel like you’re rolling.” What’s true of the opener carries through much of Man Down. This is lowrider music in the tradition of ‘You Know How We Do It’ and ‘It Was A Good Day,’” he says. Although Ice Cube gathered beats from trusted sources, including Nottz, David Banner, E-A-Ski, T-Mix, and others, he oversaw and crafted the album himself. Cube, who has produced hits for himself and others throughout his career, insisted on curating the beats. Similarly, the guests on Man Down are intentional. “These are some of my favorite MCs. To be able to do music with ‘em that’s genuine, to me, that’s great,” he says of a cast that includes B-Real, Too Short, Kurupt, and a meaningful reunion with Da Lench Mob’s J-Dee. For Cube, the spirit of brotherhood carries into music. “I grew up on Jungle Brothers, and those dudes would be getting with A Tribe Called Quest, Busta Rhymes, or Monie Love. It was real crew. What we did with N.W.A. was crew. It feels better when you’ve got a relationship and decide to do music together when it’s right.” Timing is important. “Xzibit and I worked on our first collaboration together—and it’s the right song,” Cube says of “Break The Mirror,” a track about society’s refusal to see themselves in the mirror or take responsibility for the world they created. Within one of the most respected and expansive discographies in all of music, Ice Cube insists on avoiding the predictable. “The reason I’ve been able to keep my audience is because you don’t know what you’re gonna get. I’ll do a ‘You Can Do It, Put Your Back Into It,’ or I’ll do a ‘Good Cop, Bad Cop.’ That’s what I used to like about an artist like Prince. By having that MO, I’m able to experiment and do stuff that’s maybe not a fastball down the middle from Ice Cube.” Man Down may be a curve, but it catches the strike zone for fans of substance. Beyond simply addressing the state of manhood in modern times, Ice Cube peppers his new album with jewels and life tools. In several places, the decorated MC condemns using hard drugs or glorifying incarceration. “My music, to me, has always been anti-go-to-jail music. I’ve been to jail; I’ve never been to prison—I know a lot of people that have. It ain’t nothin’ cool about it. It’s really about trying not to go,” he asserts. The provocateur who was the first to call racist law enforcement and police brutality into question is still demanding answers. “I just want people to take a step back from everything that they’ve been taught and question it,” explains the artist who encouraged buying Black, condemned selling out, and admonished the scapegoating of rap music. “We quickly learn that d--- near everything we was taught is a lie or a half-truth,” Cube charges. His latest concept album recognizes that real men are an endangered species, and the qualities of strong males ought to be celebrated—not castigated. After ten solo albums and four group releases alongside N.W.A., Westside Connection, and Mount Westmore, Ice Cube remains inspired, genuine, and connected to his base. The same year he earned a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Ice Cube proudly re-dedicates himself to the craft that first made him a legend. In speaking about this body of work, the actor, director, producer, and founder of THEBIG3® beams with excitement at the prospect of his most spectacular tour to date and more thematic music. Man Down is an awakening to the listener as well as the artist. “All I care about is Ice Cube fans at this point; that’s my clientele. Everybody else gotta get in where they fit in.” https://icecube.com/man-downs-cover-art-and-tracklist-reveal/
Nov 23, 2024 I always thought cube was hailed as a great lyricist but all he did I the last couple of years was spitting the most basic house mouse ABC rhymes
Nov 23, 2024 Ice Cube, I don’t act feminine You know, kinda like him and them I’m toxic as Eminem When he’s high off adrenaline, your a--- is cinnamon (Sweet)
Nov 23, 2024 Ice cube is one of my favorites But he raps like he just figured out how to rap. The rhymes schemes and flow are so basic that i can't listen to this. Kinda upsetting not gonna lie
Nov 24, 2024 AOTY imo. Incredible. Hits every note. Complete package. Beats are crazy good and Cube still has it.
Nov 24, 2024 Another case of Old school rappers that can’t adapt. Not a bad thing tho cuz I’m sure most of Ice cube listeners are 50+
Nov 24, 2024 I'm kinda disappointed in this project . Had very high hopes after 2018's Everythang's Corrupt LP was hoping for a sequal of sorts but it's a cool album just not what I was hoping for. Plus kendrick dropping same day can't of helped my focus
Nov 27, 2024 I like half the album. But I could care less about the other half. That Mount Westmore joint is the worst for me. Lench Mob reuniting is f---ing epic though.
Nov 29, 2024 at 4:14 PM Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg year end competition on who can release the shittier album
