Ice Cube: The Predator (1992). Behind Enemy Lines...
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11/21/22 • 28 min
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B. Cox reviews Ice Cube's third album The Predator as it turns 30. In the midst of the one most prolific and successful runs in hip-hop history stretching back his days as with NWA, the soon-to-be West Coast icon created and released his album in the time of transition of turmoil. Hip-Hop acclaim and recognition was beginning to spread its sphere of influence out to the West Coast. to mirror this rise in the commercial success of West Coast hip-hop was great angst. The album was completed in the heat of the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict, which sparked the now infamous 1992 L.A. riots, further fueling political and racial tensions.
Not to be dismayed, Cube pressed on to continue his holy trinity of LPs, combining yet again with longtime collaborator Sir Jinx and also new production teammates in DJ Pooh and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill. Over hard hitting and consistent production filled in with cuts of news footage and commentary that reflected times, he packaged the perfect combination of lyrics that reflected his political mindstate amidst the turmoil, told gangsta tales and told stories of what life like was in like in black Los Angeles.
The album was critically acclaimed and was certified double platinum and featured two Cube standout singles: "Check Yourself" and the classic "It Was A Good Day", which has garnered the respect and adulation of hip-hop fans 30 years after its release.
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Show Notes
Albumism: Ice Cube's 'The Predator' Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/ice-cube-the-predator-album-anniversary
Brooklyn Radio: #30thAnniversary: Ice Cube "The Predator"
http://brooklynradio.com/30thanniversary-ice-cube-the-predator/
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B. Cox reviews Ice Cube's third album The Predator as it turns 30. In the midst of the one most prolific and successful runs in hip-hop history stretching back his days as with NWA, the soon-to-be West Coast icon created and released his album in the time of transition of turmoil. Hip-Hop acclaim and recognition was beginning to spread its sphere of influence out to the West Coast. to mirror this rise in the commercial success of West Coast hip-hop was great angst. The album was completed in the heat of the aftermath of the Rodney King verdict, which sparked the now infamous 1992 L.A. riots, further fueling political and racial tensions.
Not to be dismayed, Cube pressed on to continue his holy trinity of LPs, combining yet again with longtime collaborator Sir Jinx and also new production teammates in DJ Pooh and DJ Muggs of Cypress Hill. Over hard hitting and consistent production filled in with cuts of news footage and commentary that reflected times, he packaged the perfect combination of lyrics that reflected his political mindstate amidst the turmoil, told gangsta tales and told stories of what life like was in like in black Los Angeles.
The album was critically acclaimed and was certified double platinum and featured two Cube standout singles: "Check Yourself" and the classic "It Was A Good Day", which has garnered the respect and adulation of hip-hop fans 30 years after its release.
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Show Notes
Albumism: Ice Cube's 'The Predator' Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/ice-cube-the-predator-album-anniversary
Brooklyn Radio: #30thAnniversary: Ice Cube "The Predator"
http://brooklynradio.com/30thanniversary-ice-cube-the-predator/
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Previous Episode
Sean Paul: Dutty Rock (2002). Dancehall Moves Past Stage One
B. Cox and J. Owe review reggae superstar Sean Paul's classic sophomore album Dutty Rock as it turns 20. After a fairly successful debut album Stage One two years prior, Paul sought to capitalize on what was a burgeoning and receptive dancehall market in the United States since the turn of the new millennium. Working with an all-star cast of producers including legendary duos in Steely & Clevie and the Neptunes, Sly Dunbar, Lloyd "King Jammys" James, Delly Ranks, Mark Ronson and Scott Storch and toasting with his trademark basso voice over a slew of riddims that would become staples over the next couple of years, the album captured the attention of dancehall lovers and of newcomers into the genre in U.S. and worldwide.
The album featured five very successful singles: "Gimme Tha Light", "Like Glue", "Get Busy", "Baby Boy" featuring Beyonce and "I'm Still In Love With You" featuring Sasha. Each single was wildly successful on the dancehall charts an also had crossover success in the US Billboard Hot 100 charts. It has been certified platinum and is credited with making dancehall reggae a mainstay in radio, dance floors and clubs and also for inspiring a style that helped to influence reggae music and its offspring for the next decade.
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Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
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Show Notes
Jamaica Observer: Two Decades of Dutty Rock
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/entertainment/two-decades-of-dutty-rock/
KS 95: "Get Busy" Celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Sean Paul "Dutty Rock"
https://www.ks95.com/get-busy-celebrating-the-20th-anniversary-of-sean-pauls-dutty-rock/
Billboard: The Dancehall Album Heard Round the World
https://www.billboard.com/music/features/sean-paul-dutty-rock-interview-1235047662/
ThisIsDig: 'Dutty Rock' How Sean Paul Took Dancehall to the Mainstream
https://www.thisisdig.com/feature/dutty-rock-sean-paul-album/
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Next Episode
The Pharcyde: Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde. "California Dreamin..."
B. Cox looks back at The Pharcyde's debut classic album Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde as it turns 30. In the midst of a genre shift of power over their home base of California, the former dancers turns emcees and producers released their debut album to little fanfare, but would become recognized in the industry for their easy going and humorous style.
Produced entirely by group member J-Swift, the group (also made up of members Slimkid3, Bootie Brown, Fatlip and Imani) provided audiences of a view of living in Southern California that was noticeably different in tenor and landscape than most of their counterparts in 1992.Using humor, witty banter, clever bars with bravado laced with references of sex, weed and female entanglements catered to an audience seeking an alternative to the party and gangster rap that made West Coast hip-hop popular.
The album released two notable singles: the wise-crack song "Ya Mama" and the classic single "Passin' Me By", which has become their more recognizable track to date. While not a commercial success, the album was critically acclaimed and largely credited along Freestyle Fellowship's To Whom It May Concern and Del the Funky Homospaien's I Wish My Brother George Was Here with helping to popularize the West Coast alternative hip-hop scene which helped lead to the success and visibility of later acts such as Hieroglyphics, Jurassic 5, Blackalicious, Dilated Peoples and more.
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Show Notes
Albumism: The Pharcyde's "Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde" Turns 30 | Anniversary Retrospective
Medium: BackSpin- Pharcyde "Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde"
Anywhere The Dope Go: The Pharcyde: Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde-Throwback Thursday Review
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