Should Ice Cube still be taken seriously? That’s what a lot of people who see him acting in kid’s films like Are We Done Yet? want to know.
His new album, “Raw Footage” is out on Aug. 19 and as usual, Ice Cube is trying to will the mainstream to come to him by sheer force.
Overall, the album is a continuation of the goal started two years ago on his last album: to defend “gangsta rap” while trying to change the definition of a “gangsta”.
The beats on the new album are nothing special, half of them sounding like old Cash Money beats (strange to hear one of the great West Coasters rapping over so many Dirty South beats). But Cube has the clever ability and the hard-hitting personality to redeem the tracks; brutally realistic, occasionally inspirational and still unhappy about quite a number of things.
And as for those who knock Cube for his recent film roles, keep in mind that the guy has starred in some great films too, like Boyz N Tha Hood and Three Kings. And rumors have been flying that he’ll be filling Mr. T’s big shoes in the upcoming remake of The A-Team.
Ice Cube is making a good case for the co-existence of family film stardom and street cred. The new album will definitely appeal to his old fans through the mere presence of one of the masters, but perhaps be confusing to younger fans wondering why “Dad” is making a rap album.
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