34. The Predator - Ice Cube 1992
Ice Cube, was of course, a member of the, now legendary, NWA (Niggas With Attitudes) which also featured Dr Dre. When the group went their separate ways, Cube wasted very little time in launching his solo career. By 1992 he was already releasing this, his third album. Although there are strong arguments as to which of his 9 albums is the best body of work, this is the one that had the most impact on the 90's and is the biggest seller, going two times platinum, in the U.S. For a start, it houses his biggest hit in, 'It Was a Good Day', which is a bona fide Hip-Hop anthem. Another factor in the impact that this album had can be attributed to timing. Another release that followed hot on the heels of the riots of Los Angeles that came off the back of the Rodney King v LAPD trial. The desire to listen to music that was angry and relevant to the problems that the world was facing. Ice Cube, like Ice - T, was at the cutting edge, telling things exactly how the man on the street saw it. This record pulled no punches and in 'We Had to Tear This Mothafucka' up', there is even a sample of a news report that name checks all four of the police officers accused of beating King. The album is generally upbeat tempo wise and sample heavy with plenty funk with liberal use of Cube favorite, Parliament. With drum beats hitting hard, in true Gangsta Rap fashion, it was easy to see why Cube was one of the Hip-Hop artists that crossed over to the Rock and Metal crowds. A definite stand out is found in third single, 'Check Yo Self', featuring (at the time) hot new Hip-Hop duo, Das EFX, who themselves became somewhat influential themselves with their unique vocal delivery. There was also a remix that was on the single release that became more popular than the album version. 'The Message remix'. features the main hook and beat from Grandmaster Flash's. 'The Message', hence the name. Although still hard hitting and "hardcore", Cube manages to have a much more party-friendly, good times feeling, with his brand of Gangsta Rap. Although there was many more high quality releases to come from Cube, this remains his magnum opus and made him a true household name.