I Am the West

Last updated
I Am the West
Ice Cube - I Am The West (Front Cover).jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedSeptember 28, 2010 (2010-09-28)
Recorded2009–10
Genre
Length49:43
Label Lench Mob
Producer
Ice Cube chronology
Raw Footage
(2008)
I Am the West
(2010)
Everythang's Corrupt
(2018)
Singles from I Am the West
  1. "I Rep That West"
    Released: April 25, 2010
  2. "Drink the Kool-Aid"
    Released: July 27, 2010
  3. "She Couldn't Make It on Her Own"
    Released: August 31, 2010
  4. "Too West Coast"
    Released: September 1, 2010

I Am the West is the ninth solo studio album by American rapper Ice Cube. It was released on September 28, 2010 [1] through Lench Mob Records, marking his second independent release following 2008's Raw Footage .

Contents

The album was produced by DJ Montay, Hallway Productionz, JIGG, T-Mix, B.A.M., Bangladesh, Dae One, Doughboy, John Murphy, Rocko, Sir Jinx, Tha Bizness, The Fliptones and Track Bully. It features guest appearances from WC, Doughboy, OMG, Young Maylay and Jayo Felony.

In the United States, the album debuted at number 22 on the Billboard 200, number 7 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, number 6 on the Top Rap Albums and number 3 on the Independent Albums charts with 22,000 copies sold in its first week. [2]

Background

Ice Cube said this album would be different from any one of his others, having a different direction. The album was released independently under his label Lench Mob. Ice Cube stated that "being independent is beautiful because we can do things 'out the box' that record companies would usually frown at. Instead of working from a ready-made cookie-cutter marketing plan, we can tailor make a marketing plan specifically for me". [3]

In an interview with Baller Status, Ice Cube spoke on two songs that were going to be on the album, "Man vs. Machine" and "Hood Robbin". "'Man vs. Machine' is talking about our obsessions with machinery and how it's taking over. Automation is taking over human beings in all our relevancy in this world. Pretty soon, machines are gonna take over and that's just real...['Hood Robbin'] is talking about how big corporations is now stealing from the poor and giving to the rich. It's a whole thing about the things we're going up against with housing and medical insurance ... just everything people are going through. Real shit that ain't got nothing to do with money, cars, and all the shit most rappers talk about." [4]

Young Maylay made guest appearances on the album. [5] Ice Cube confirmed that Dr. Dre would no longer be on the album in August. [6] He received beats from West coast veteran producers such as DJ Quik, Dr. Dre, E-A-Ski, and Sir Jinx, not having worked on a solo album with the latter in nearly 20 years.

I Am The West, like several previous Ice Cube/Westside Connection albums, features interludes by Keith David.

Singles

The album's lead single "I Rep That West", was released on April 25, 2010. [7] The album's second single "Drink the Kool-Aid", was released on July 27, 2010. [8] The album's third single "She Couldn't Make It On Her Own" featuring Doughboy and OMG, was released on August 31, 2010. [9] [10] A music video for "Too West Coast" (produced by Hallway Productionz) was released on October 5, 2010.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 62/100 [11]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [12]
HipHopDX 2.5/5 [13]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Pitchfork 4.4/10 [15]
RapReviews7.5/10 [16]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [17]
Slant Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [18]

I Am the West was met with generally favourable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 62 based on eight reviews. [11]

AllMusic's David Jeffries praised the album, writing "most won't have the skills to follow his playbook, either on or off the field, but Cube's utterly unique I Am the West shows the younger generation how to cross 40 while retaining their freedom and baller status". [12] Steve 'Flash' Juon of RapReviews wrote: "on the tracks of I Am the West that work the best, he's still got the vintage gruff demeanor, lyrical ferocity and hard hitting beats to claim some significant ownership of the Pacific shoreline. At other times he desperately desires to have a contemporary sound, and that's where things fall apart, but those mistakes can be overlooked or easily skipped compared to the quality of the overall presentation". [16] Jeff Weiss of Los Angeles Times stated: "on his ninth album, the independently released I Am the West, he retreats to self-satisfied taunts about his legendary status, the enervated state of the Left Coast, and his rivals, both real and imaginary". [14]

In mixed reviews, Jon Dolan of Rolling Stone found Ice Cube's "rants get boring over track after track of bland Nineties G-funk (a promised collaboration with his estranged N.W.A homey Dr. Dre never came through)". [17] Huw Jones of Slant concluded: "judging by moments like these, when Cube's performance is allowed to take center stage, I Am the West becomes an engaging hip-hop record". [18] Ian Cohen of Pitchfork resumed: "so even if I Am the West is little more than another reminder of what Cube's day job was before becoming a Hollywood supermogul, if it does result in someone's hearing AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted or Death Certificate for the first time in 2010, it's done its job". [15]

Track listing

No.TitleLyricsMusicLength
1."A Boy Was Conceived" (Intro) John Murphy0:26
2."Soul on Ice" O'Shea Jackson
  • Chris Whitacre
  • Justin Henderson
3:39
3."Life in California" (featuring Jayo Felony and WC)
4:02
4."She Couldn't Make It on Her Own" (featuring OMG and Doughboy)
Shondrae Crawford 2:58
5."Urbanian"O. JacksonKevin Harris II2:25
6."Ya'll Know How I Am" (featuring OMG, Doughboy, WC and Young Maylay)
Montay Humphrey 2:18
7."Too West Coast" (featuring WC and Young Maylay)
  • O. Jackson
  • Calhoun
  • Bellard
  • Deejan Underdue
  • Teak Underdue
2:58
8."I Rep That West"O. JacksonAmir Perry4:31
9."Drink the Kool-Aid"O. Jackson Brandon Alexander 3:09
10."No Country for Young Men"O. Jackson
  • Finister II
  • R.L. Jackson
4:13
11."It Is What It Is"O. JacksonHumphrey3:21
12."Hood Robbin'"O. Jackson Tristan Jones 3:45
13."Your Money or Your Life"O. JacksonJones3:23
14."Nothing Like L.A."O. Jackson
  • Chaz Mishan
  • David Delazyn
3:20
15."All Day, Every Day"O. Jackson
  • D. Underdue
  • T. Underdue
2:21
16."Fat Cat"O. JacksonPerry2:54
Total length:49:43
iTunes bonus tracks
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
17."Man vs. Machine"
  • O. Jackson
  • J. Suecof
Infinity2:27
18."Pros vs. Joes"
E-A-Ski 2:19
Total length:4:46
Sample credits

Personnel

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">N.W.A</span> American hip hop group

N.W.A was an American hip hop group formed in Compton, California. They were among the earliest and most significant popularizers and controversial figures of the gangsta rap subgenre, and the group is widely considered one of the greatest and most influential groups in the history of hip hop music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MC Ren</span> American rapper and record producer (born 1969)

Lorenzo Jerald Patterson, known professionally as MC Ren, is an American rapper, songwriter, and record producer from Compton, California. He is the founder and owner of the independent record label Villain Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ice Cube</span> American rapper and actor (born 1969)

O'Shea Jackson Sr., known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and film producer. His lyrics on N.W.A's 1988 album Straight Outta Compton contributed to gangsta rap's widespread popularity, and his political rap solo albums AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990), Death Certificate (1991), and The Predator (1992) were all critically and commercially successful. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of N.W.A in 2016.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eazy-E</span> American rapper (1964–1995)

Eric Lynn Wright, known professionally as Eazy-E, was an American rapper who propelled West Coast rap and gangsta rap by leading the group N.W.A and its label, Ruthless Records. He is often referred to as the "Godfather of Gangsta Rap".

<i>The Chronic</i> 1992 studio album by Dr. Dre

The Chronic is the debut studio album by American record producer and rapper Dr. Dre. It was released on December 15, 1992, by his record label Death Row Records along with Interscope Records and distributed by Priority Records. The recording sessions took place at Death Row Studios in Los Angeles and at Bernie Grundman Mastering in Hollywood.

<i>100 Miles and Runnin</i> 1990 EP by N.W.A

100 Miles and Runnin' is an EP from the American gangsta rap group N.W.A. Released on August 14, 1990, this EP of five tracks reflects an evolution of N.W.A's sound and centers on the single "100 Miles and Runnin'." Two tracks, "100 Miles" and "Real Niggaz," incidentally incited N.W.A's feud with Ice Cube, who had left to start a solo rap career. The porno rap track "Just Don't Bite It" also drew notice. Pushing lyrical boundaries in its day, the EP went gold in November 1990 and platinum in September 1992.

Christopher Bellard, also known by his stage name Young Maylay, is an American rapper, record producer and actor based in Los Angeles. He is best known for his portrayal of Carl "CJ" Johnson, the main character of the 2004 video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.

Anthony D. Wheaton, professionally known by his stage name Sir Jinx, is an American hip hop record producer and rapper from Los Angeles. He is a cousin of multi-platinum producer Dr. Dre. He began his career as a member of the C.I.A. in the mid-80s with Ice Cube and Kid Disaster. He produced tracks for the likes of Dazzie Dee, Westside Connection, Too Short, Yo-Yo, Tone Loc, Kool G Rap, CeCe Peniston, Xzibit and Kurupt among others, and also remixed songs for Rage Against the Machine, Public Enemy and Toni Braxton.

<i>Laugh Now, Cry Later</i> 2006 studio album by Ice Cube

Laugh Now, Cry Later is the seventh studio album by rapper Ice Cube, released on June 6, 2006. It is Ice Cube's first album to be released on his independently owned record label Lench Mob Records, Virgin Records, and EMI. This album is his first studio album in six years since his previous album, War & Peace Vol. 2 . After spending the previous six years mainly doing movie projects, it could be considered a comeback album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Check Yo Self</span> 1993 single by Ice Cube featuring Das EFX

"Check Yo Self" is the third and final single from American rapper Ice Cube's third solo album, The Predator (1992). It was released on July 13, 1993 by Lench Mob Records and Priority Records, and features New York City rappers Das EFX. It topped both the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap charts while also reaching number 20 on the Hot 100 chart. The song retains two main versions, the original and a remix which utilizes the same beat as Grandmaster Flash's "The Message", titled "Check Yo Self ". The original mix includes a sample from the intro of the Beastie Boys' track "The New Style", which uses the phrase "check it" throughout the chorus.

<i>Bow Down</i> 1996 studio album by Westside Connection

Bow Down is the debut studio album by American West Coast hip hop supergroup Westside Connection. It was released on October 22, 1996, through Lench Mob Records and Priority Records. The recording sessions took place at Ice Cube's house studio, Westsiiiiide Studios, in California, except for the song "Gangstas Make the World Go Round", which was recorded at Treehouse Studios in South Africa. The production was handled by Bud'da, Quincy Jones III, Binky Mack, and Ice Cube, who also served as executive producer. It features guest appearances from Allfrumtha I and the Comrads.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dr. Dre discography</span>

The discography of American record producer, sound engineer, and rapper Dr. Dre consists of three studio albums, forty-two singles,, two compilation albums, one soundtrack album, and twenty-one music videos.

Stephen Anderson, better known as Bud'da, is an American producer, songwriter, composer and rapper for artists such as Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Xzibit and Aaliyah. Through the successful Westside Connection stint, and the mutual acquaintance of fellow Pittsburgh producer Sam Sneed, Dr. Dre wanted to feature snippets of a Bud’da-produced track in the beginning and end of the 2pac & Dr. Dre video for “California Love,” off Tupac Shakur’s All Eyez on Me. Soon after Dr. Dre’s historic departure from Death Row Records, Bud’da was once again recruited by Dr. Dre to co-produce the lead single "Been There, Done That" off the Dr. Dre Presents the Aftermath album.

<i>Planet of da Apes</i> 1994 studio album by Da Lench Mob

Planet of da Apes is the second and final studio album by American hip hop group Da Lench Mob. The group's final album, it was released on November 1, 1994, via Street Knowledge/Priority Records. Its title is a reference to Planet of the Apes. Audio production was handled by Ice Cube, Mr. Woody, Dr. Jam, Madness 4 Real, Quincy Jones III, and 88 X Unit. It featured guest appearances from K-Dee, Mack 10 and Yo-Yo. The album peaked at number 81 on the Billboard 200.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pushin' Weight</span> 1998 single by Ice Cube featuring Mr. Short Khop

"Pushin' Weight" is a song written and performed by American rappers Ice Cube and Mr. Short Khop. It was released on October 13, 1998 through Priority Records as the lead single from the former's fifth solo studio album War & Peace Vol. 1 . Recording sessions took place at Atomic Dog Studios in Houston. Production was handled by N.O. Joe. An accompanying music video was directed by Gregory Dark starring Westside Connection and Mr. Short Khop.

<i>Ass, Gas, or Cash (No One Rides for Free)</i> 1994 studio album by K-Dee

Ass, Gas or Cash is the only solo studio album by the American rapper K-Dee. It was released on November 15, 1994, via Lench Mob Records. Recording sessions took place at Lench Mob Studios in Los Angeles, California, with producers Ice Cube, Madness 4 Real, Vic C., 88 X Unit, Shaquille, D Mac and Laylaw. It features guest appearances from Bootsy Collins, Morris Day, Ice Cube, Ayana Anderson and Snow. The album peaked at number 33 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number 20 on the Heatseekers Albums chart in the United States. It spawned three singles: "Thought I Saw a Pussy Cat", "The Freshest MC in the World" and "Hittin' Corners".

<i>Revenge of the Barracuda</i> 2011 studio album by WC

Revenge of the Barracuda is the fourth solo studio album by American rapper WC. It was released on March 8, 2011 via eOne. Production was handled by Hallway Productionz, Jahzilla, EQ, Fredwreck, Jiggolo, THX and Trick-Trick. It features guest appearances from Young Maylay, Bad Lucc, Daz Dillinger, Ice Cube, Juvenile, Kokane, Kurupt, Soopafly and Traci Nelson.

<i>The Documentary 2</i> Album by The Game

The Documentary 2 is the sixth studio album by American rapper the Game. It was released on October 9, 2015, by Blood Money Entertainment and eOne Music. The album serves as a sequel to his debut album. The project is first half of a two-piece project with other half The Documentary 2.5, which was released the following week. The album features guest appearances from Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Ab-Soul, Kanye West and Future, among others.

<i>Everythangs Corrupt</i> 2018 studio album by Ice Cube

Everythang's Corrupt is the tenth studio album by American rapper Ice Cube, released on December 7, 2018, by Lench Mob and Interscope Records. It is his first studio album since 2010's I Am the West and was originally set for release in 2015.

Jerome Muhammad, born Jerome Washington, better known by his stage name Shorty, was an American rapper, producer, gang intervention activist, and member of Ice Cube's spin-off Gold hip hop group Da Lench Mob.

References

  1. Hannah, Mitchell (June 29, 2010). "Tuesday Rap Release Dates: G.O.O.D. Music, Cam'ron, Stat Quo". HipHopDX . Archived from the original on September 28, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  2. Jacobs, Allen (October 6, 2010). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 10/3/2010". HipHopDX . Archived from the original on October 8, 2010. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  3. Jacobs, Allen (2010-03-19). "Ice Cube Blogs About "I Am The West", Mack 10 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 2012-09-26. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  4. "Ice Cube Talks Dependence On Technology, Corporate America's Greed in Two New Tracks". Ballerstatus.Com. 12 April 2010. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  5. Icecube.com [ dead link ]
  6. Burgess, Omar (2010-08-09). "Dr. Dre No Longer Featured On Ice Cube's Album | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 2012-09-28. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  7. "Debuts New Single TODAY". Ice Cube. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  8. Video on YouTube [ dead link ]
  9. "She Couldn't Make It On Her Own (Clean) : Ice Cube". Icecube.com. 2011-07-13. Archived from the original on 2011-07-13. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  10. "Ice Cube "She Couldn'T Make It On Her Own" Introducing Omg & Doughboy Music Video Premier". Karmaloop TV. 2010-09-20. Archived from the original on 2011-07-24. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  11. 1 2 "Critic Reviews for I Am the West - Metacritic". Metacritic . Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  12. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "I Am the West - Ice Cube | Album | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  13. Tardio, Andres (September 27, 2010). "Ice Cube - I Am The West". HipHopDX . Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  14. 1 2 Weiss, Jeff (September 28, 2010). "Album review: Ice Cube's 'I Am the West'". Los Angeles Times . Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  15. 1 2 Cohen, Ian (October 18, 2010). "Ice Cube: I Am the West". Pitchfork . Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  16. 1 2 Juon, Steve 'Flash' (October 12, 2010). "Ice Cube :: I Am the West :: Lench Mob Records". RapReviews. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  17. 1 2 Dolan, Jon (October 18, 2010). "I Am the West". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  18. 1 2 Jones, Huw (September 24, 2010). "Review: Ice Cube, I Am the West". Slant Magazine. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  19. Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 134.
  20. "Lescharts.com – Ice Cube – I Am the West". Hung Medien. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  21. "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  22. "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50". Official Charts Company. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  23. "Ice Cube Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  24. "Ice Cube Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  25. "Ice Cube Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  26. "Ice Cube Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved October 1, 2024.
  27. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard . Retrieved October 1, 2024.