In no particular order, I present to you my ten favorite rhyme spitters of all time. No, they may not necessarily have created the best songs or albums (some have but that is irrelevant to this discussion). These are just the MC's who, verse-for-verse, I have enjoyed listening to most from a purely lyrical/flow-wise/delivery-wise perspective. Think the Vince Carters of MC'ing. And with all that considered, next up is...ICE CUBE (circa '88-'92).
Back when people used to believe rappers really did what they said on wax, this former architectural student personified America's definition of the "scary ass rapper". He had the sneer, the curse words, and FBI threats to back it up. Not to mention lyrically fronted a crew who dared incorporate a vilified ethnic slur as a part of their group name.
But beyond all that, Cube just delivered his lyrics in a way that made you believe what he said. Throughout his first group album and subsequent solo efforts (well, at least the first few and the EP), he convinced you he was the true gangsta's gangsta, the hood's political commentator, the prophet of the L.A. riots, and the most overzealous Muslim you had ever seen.
These days, you're more likely to see a suburban family of four in a minivan on their way to see Cube at their local multiplex than you are to hear a '64 Impala on 'lo 'lo's cruising Crenshaw Boulevard bumping his latest album. But at least for those four years (I'm personally not the biggest fan of "Lethal Injection" but I guess you can make it five years by throwing that in there), Cube had an unprecedented run as an MC that is nearly unmatched in hip hop history. Not only did he make compelling music. He set trends and constantly grew as an artist from album to album. He never settled for the status quo. He tore right through that map of Compton on his first video and kept on stompin'.
I miss the old Ice Cube but I can't front on his recent success as an actor. My only regrets I blame on the shady practices of the business. Could you imagine what NWA's second album would have been like with Cube around? While Cube's falling out with his former group produced entertaining material ("No Vaseline" is still one of the greatest diss records of all time), I would've traded it all in to hear Amerikkka's Most Wanted Cube on Efil4Zaggin Dre beats for just a few songs. And it seemed like we came oh-so-close when Cube made his cameo in the "Let Me Ride" video and we were promised "Helter Skelter" on the "Doggystyle" insert. Well, I guess we had "Natural Born Killaz". Then we were teased once again with the proposed reunion of NWA. But after the lukewarm response to "Chin Check" and "Hello", the plans were quickly axed. (I've also heard "D**k Tease" from the "Laugh Now Cry Later" sessions was produced by Dre but I've never had that confirmed). Since Cube is strictly on the independent tip now when it comes to music, I guess we'll never get to hear a Dre/Cube album.
As it stands, Cube could never release a song again and his place in hip-hop history (not to mention music history in general) would be more than cemented. So get that money movie, Cube, and thanks for the memories. A lot of suburban kids owe their entire knowledge of the Compton hood to you.
The Evidence.
"Dope Man". "To be a dopeman/you must qualify/don't get high off your own supply..."
"The Grand Finale". "Muthaf**kas I'll slaughter/Blow 'em out the water/Word to me/F**k the father..."
"The N***a Ya Love To Hate". "Kickin' s**t called street knowledge/Why more n***as in the pen than in college?"
"Jackin' For Beats". "Gimme that beat fool/It's a full time jack move..."
"A Bird in the Hand". "I'll never get love again/But blacks are too f**king broke to be Republicans..."
"Steady Mobbin'". "Rather be judged by twelve than carried by six..."
"When Will They Shoot?". "They killed JFK in '63/So what the f**k you think they'll do to me?"
"We Had To Tear This Muthaf**ka Up". "I told you it would happen and you heard it/Read it/And all you could call me was anti-Semetic..."
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