I Am the West

Last updated
I Am the West
Ice Cube - I Am The West (Front Cover).jpg
Studio album by
Ice Cube
ReleasedSeptember 28, 2010
Recorded2009–10
Genre
Length49:43
Label
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
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 62/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
Allmusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [2]
HipHopDXStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
RapReviews(7.5/10) [5]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]
Slant Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [7]
The Smoking SectionStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [8]
USA Today Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]

I Am the West is the ninth studio album by American rapper Ice Cube. It was released on September 28, 2010 [10] by Lench Mob Records and EMI.

Contents

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". [11]

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." [12]

Young Maylay made guest appearances on the album. [13] Ice Cube confirmed that Dr. Dre would no longer be on the album in August. [14] 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. [15] The album's second single "Drink the Kool-Aid", was released on July 27, 2010. [16] The album's third single "She Couldn't Make It On Her Own" featuring Doughboy and OMG, was released on August 31, 2010. [17] [18] A music video for "Too West Coast" (produced by Hallway Productionz) was released on October 5, 2010.

Reception

Early reviews perceived to be generally positive gaining a 62% out of 100 in Metacritic. [19] Jeff Weiss from The L.A. Times music blog gave it 2 and a half out of 4 stars stating "Even the greatest can use a little help from their friends, and all too often this feels like how the West was one-dimensional." Allmusic reviewer David Jeffries said "I Am the West shows the younger generation how to cross 40 while retaining their freedom and baller status. Middle age hip-hop is born here, and if the game follows his lead, it will be one monster of a genre. "

Commercial performance

The album debuted at #22 on the Billboard 200 and sold 22,000 copies in its 1st week. [20]

Track listing

No.TitleProducer(s)Length
1."A Boy Was Conceived" (Intro)John Murphy0:26
2."Soul on Ice"Tha Bizness3:39
3."Life in California" (featuring Jayo Felony & WC) Sir Jinx, Dae One4:02
4."She Couldn't Make It on Her Own" (featuring OMG & Doughboy) Bangladesh 2:58
5."Urbanian"Track Bully2:25
6."Y'all Know How I Am" (featuring OMG, Doughboy, WC & Young Maylay) Willy Will 2:18
7."Too West Coast" (featuring WC & Young Maylay) Hallway Productionz 2:58
8."I Rep That West"JIGG4:31
9."Drink the Kool-Aid"Brandon Alexander3:09
10."No Country for Young Men"Ice Cube, Rocko 4:13
11."It Is What It Is" DJ Montay 3:21
12."Hood Robbin'" T-Mix 3:45
13."Your Money or Your Life"T-Mix3:23
14."Nothing Like L.A." The Fliptones 3:20
15."All Day, Every Day" Hallway Productionz 2:21
16."Fat Cat"JIGG2:54
Total length:49:43
iTunes bonus tracks
No.TitleProducer(s)Length
17."Man vs. Machine"Infinity2:27
18."Pros vs. Joes" E-A-Ski 2:19
Total length:4:46

Charts

Related Research Articles

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

O'Shea Jackson Sr., better known as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and filmmaker. 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.

<i>Eazy-Duz-It</i> 1988 studio album by Eazy-E

Eazy-Duz-It is the debut studio album by American rapper Eazy-E. It was released on November 23, 1988, by Ruthless Records and Priority Records. The album charted on two different charts and went 2× Platinum in the United States despite very little promotion by radio and television. Three singles were released from the album, each charting in the US. The remastered version contains tracks from the extended play (EP), 5150: Home 4 tha Sick (1992). The 25th anniversary (2013) contains two bonus tracks which are 12" remixes of "We Want Eazy" and "Still Talkin.'"

<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.

<i>AmeriKKKas Most Wanted</i> 1990 studio album by Ice Cube

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted is the debut studio album by American rapper Ice Cube, released on May 16, 1990, by Priority Records. It was his first solo album, after an acrimonious split from his former group N.W.A. The album was primarily produced by Public Enemy's production team The Bomb Squad. A critical and commercial success, it remains one of the defining hip hop albums of the 1990s.

<i>Raw Footage</i> 2008 studio album by Ice Cube

Raw Footage is the eighth studio album by American rapper Ice Cube. It was released on August 19, 2008, by his record label Lench Mob Records and EMI. The album features guest appearances from The Game, Butch Cassidy, Musiq Soulchild, Young Jeezy and WC. The album is his most political effort, since over a decade earlier with the release of his album The Predator (1992).

<i>LAX</i> (album) 2008 studio album by the Game

LAX is the fourth studio album by American rapper the Game. It was released on August 26, 2008, by Geffen Records. Recording sessions took place from 2007 to 2008, with the production that were contributed by Cool & Dre, Kanye West, Scott Storch, Nottz, Hi-Tek, J.R. Rotem and JellyRoll; as well as guest appearances from DMX, Chrisette Michele, Common, Ice Cube, Keyshia Cole, Ludacris, Nas, Ne-Yo, Raekwon, Raheem DeVaughn, Travis Barker, Bilal and Lil Wayne. The album was supported by four singles: "Game's Pain" featuring Keyshia Cole, Grenique "Dope Boys" featuring Travis Barker, "My Life" featuring Lil Wayne, and "Camera Phone (song)" featuring Ne-Yo. The album was released with two different cases such as one cover art for the deluxe version with Game looking at the camera with his bandanna in his hand, and the cover art for another was with him sitting on a couch smoking a blunt.

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2009.

<i>The R.E.D. Album</i> 2011 studio album by Game

The R.E.D. Album is the fifth studio album by American rapper Game. It was released on August 23, 2011, by DGC Records and Interscope Records, which serves as Game's first release under the label. Recording sessions for the album took place from 2009 to 2011 at four different recording studios in California. Dr. Dre, Pharrell Williams and Mars served as executive producers on the album, and includes a wide range of producers such as Boi-1da, Cool & Dre, DJ Khalil, DJ Premier, Don Cannon, Hit-Boy, Maestro, StreetRunner and the Futuristics. The featured guests include rappers Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Tyler, the Creator, Lil Wayne and Kendrick Lamar, and singers Lloyd, Mario, Chris Brown and Nelly Furtado.

This is a list of songs produced by DJ Pooh.

This article summarizes the events, album releases and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2010.

<i>Heart of a Champion</i> (album) 2010 studio album by Paul Wall

Heart of a Champion is the fifth studio album by American rapper Paul Wall. It was released by Warner Bros., Asylum Records and Swishahouse on July 13, 2010.

<i>The Darkside Vol. 1</i> 2010 studio album by Fat Joe

The Darkside Vol. 1 is the tenth studio album by American rapper Fat Joe. The album was released July 27, 2010 by Terror Squad Entertainment and E1 Music. The album's production was handled by Cool & Dre, Streetrunner, DJ Infamous, Just Blaze, Scram Jones, DJ Premier, Raw Uncut, and Scoop DeVille, among others. The album also featured guest appearances came from Trey Songz, Too Short, R. Kelly, Cam'ron, Clipse, Lil Wayne and Young Jeezy.

<i>The DeAndre Way</i> 2010 studio album by Soulja Boy

The DeAndre Way is the third studio album by American rapper Soulja Boy. It was released on November 30, 2010, by his label Stacks on Deck Entertainment, Collipark Music and Interscope Records.

<i>Follow Me Home</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Jay Rock

Follow Me Home is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Jay Rock; it was released on July 26, 2011, under Top Dawg Entertainment and Strange Music. The album was preceded by two singles; "All My Life " and "Hood Gone Love It".

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2011.

Strange Music is an American independent record label founded by Tech N9ne and Travis O'Guin in 1999, specializing in hip hop music. It is currently distributed through Fontana Distribution.

<i>Ferrari Boyz</i> 2011 studio album by Waka Flocka Flame & Gucci Mane

Ferrari Boyz is a collaborative studio album by American rappers Gucci Mane and Waka Flocka Flame. Originally scheduled for a June 21, 2011, release, it was delayed and later released on August 9. It features Rocko, 2 Chainz, 1017 Brick Squad labelmates Wooh da Kid, and Frenchie, and also Brick Squad Monopoly members Slim Dunkin, Ice Burgundy, and YG Hootie. The album was mostly produced by label producer Southside, with additional production by 808 Mafia, Drumma Boy, Fatboi, Shawty Redd, and Schife. According to Waka Flocka, the album was completed in two weeks.

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 2012.

<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.

References

  1. ↑ "Reviews and Tracks for I Am the West by Ice Cube". Metacritic. Retrieved 2017-06-01.
  2. ↑ Jeffries, David (2010-09-27). "Allmusic review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  3. ↑ Vasquez, Andres (2010-09-27). "Ice Cube - I Am The West | Read Hip Hop Reviews, Rap Reviews & Hip Hop Album Reviews". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 2012-01-25. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  4. ↑ "Los Angeles Times review". Latimesblogs.latimes.com. 2010-09-28. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  5. ↑ "RapReview of the Week". Rapreviews.com. 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  6. ↑ Jon Dolan (2010-10-18). "I Am the West | Album Reviews". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  7. ↑ "Slant review". Slantmagazine.com. Retrieved 2012-08-07.
  8. ↑ Joseph, Ryan. “It Is What It Is” – Review Of Ice Cube’s I Am The West Archived 2010-11-02 at the Wayback Machine . The Smoking Section .
  9. ↑ Gardner, Elysa; Mansfield, Brian; Shriver, Jerry; Jones, Steve (October 3, 2010). "USA Today".
  10. ↑ Hanna, Mitchell (2010-06-29). "Tuesday Rap Release Dates: G.O.O.D. Music, Cam'ron, Stat Quo | 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.
  11. ↑ 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.
  12. ↑ "Ice Cube Talks Dependence On Technology, Corporate America's Greed in Two New Tracks". Ballerstatus.Com. 12 April 2010. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  13. ↑ Icecube.com [ dead link ]
  14. ↑ 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.
  15. ↑ "Debuts New Single TODAY". Ice Cube. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  16. ↑ Video on YouTube [ dead link ]
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "I Am the West Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More at Metacritic". Metacritic.com. 2010-12-20. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  20. ↑ Jacobs, Allen (2010-10-06). "Hip Hop Album Sales: The Week Ending 10/3/2010 | Get The Latest Hip Hop News, Rap News & Hip Hop Album Sales". HipHop DX. Archived from the original on 2010-10-08. Retrieved 2012-02-23.
  21. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 134.
  22. ↑ "Lescharts.com – Ice Cube – I Am the West". Hung Medien.
  23. ↑ "Ice Cube Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard.
  24. ↑ "Ice Cube Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard.
  25. ↑ "Ice Cube Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard.
  26. ↑ "Ice Cube Chart History (Top Rap Albums)". Billboard.
  27. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2010". Billboard. Retrieved August 2, 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.