AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Studio album by
Ice Cube
ReleasedMay 18, 1990[1]
RecordedJanuary – March 1990[2]
StudioGreene Street Studios
(New York City)
Genre
Length49:36
Label
Producer
Ice Cube chronology
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
(1990)		 Kill at Will
(1990)
Singles from AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
  1. "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted"
    Released: April 17, 1990

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted is the debut studio album by American rapper Ice Cube, released on May 18, 1990, by Priority Records.[6][7] It was his first solo album, after an acrimonious split from his former group N.W.A. Primarily produced by Public Enemy's production team The Bomb Squad, the album was a critical and commercial success, being certified platinum in the United States for selling over one million copies.[8]

Background

Conception

After departing from Ruthless Records and the West Coast–based group N.W.A, Ice Cube immediately moved to record his own album. Cube maintains that originally, he and N.W.A producer Dr. Dre still wanted to collaborate for Cube's debut solo, but the move was nixed by label powers:

When I went solo, I wanted Dr. Dre to do AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, but Jerry Heller vetoed that...and I'm pretty sure Eazy didn't want Dre to do it. But Dre did want to do it; we gotta put that on record. Dre wanted to do my record, but it was just too crazy with the break-up [of N.W.A].

— Ice Cube, "Ice Cube, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted Retrospective [20 Years Later]", XXL[9]

Linking up with Sir Jinx, Dr. Dre's cousin, Cube made use of pre-written notebooks of songs meant for N.W.A member/Ruthless co-founder Eazy-E.[10] After relocating to New York,[11] they worked on the songs, which included "Once Upon a Time in the Projects", "Get Off My Dick & Tell Yo' Bitch to Come Here" and "Gangsta's Fairytale", among others. Under fire from his former group with the song "100 Miles and Runnin'", from the EP of the same name, he also recorded the song "Jackin' for Beats", using beats allegedly planned for use on the next N.W.A album,[12] though he would use this several months later on the Kill at Will EP.

After contacting Public Enemy's production team The Bomb Squad, they completed the album. The album received a fair share of production credited to various Bomb Squad members, with an appearance by Public Enemy frontman Chuck D, despite Jinx's claims that the only Bomb Squad member fully present was Eric Sadler.[11] Hank Shocklee spoke on meeting and working with Ice Cube in a Cool'eh Magazine interview:

Cube contacted me wanting to know if we could do a few tracks for his solo album after the whole NWA thing came to what it was and I was like, I'll do it if I can do the whole album. And he said, that's what I was hoping you would say…y'know…and when we were in the studio he showed up with notebooks and notebooks full of new rhymes, a bag full of rhymebooks.

— Hank Shocklee, Cool'eh Magazine[13]

Content

With socio-political conscious and gangsta rap content, its songs delve into the issues of ghetto life, drug addiction, racism and poverty. Throughout the album, Ice Cube incessantly attacks institutional racism, as well as social norms which directly or indirectly allowed the oppression of those living in the ghettos of Los Angeles to continue. On "Endangered Species (Tales from the Darkside)," he predicts that his neighborhood would become a flash point for violence before 1992's scandal over the beating of Rodney King,[14] and takes police to task for the policies that would later lead to the L.A. riots that resulted.

Throughout the album, Cube takes some controversial stands, referring to certain types of African-Americans as "Oreo cookies", an epithet implying that they appear black on the outside, but have, internally, negative white tendencies. Arsenio Hall is specifically mentioned as being a "sell-out." Cube also heavily criticizes R&B and hip hop radio stations for watered-down broadcasting. The title song directly parodies the television show, America's Most Wanted, alleging bias and denouncing the glee the program displays in arresting African-American men.

A later skit, "The Drive By," returns to the same theme at the end, with newscaster Tom Brokaw reporting on rioting, stating: "Outside the south central area, few cared about the violence because it didn't affect them." He also addressed gender relations on "It's a Man's World", a duet between Cube and rapper Yo-Yo. Cube and Yo-Yo verbally spar and trade sexist barbs back and forth in an exposé of sexism between men and women. Amidst critics' accusing Ice Cube of sexism, Peter Watrous of The New York Times wrote, in review of a live show at New York's Apollo Theater:

...no one came out ahead; any new sense of cultural violence or sexism promoted by the record had dissolved into a traditional battle of the sexes, no better or no worse.[15]

Release

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted initially charted without the support of a lead single or video, although the title track would later receive a pressing, and a rare video for "Who's the Mack?" eventually surfaced. It was directed by Alex Winter.[16]

Singles

The title track was the first official single from the album - the B-side for the song was "Once Upon a Time in the Projects". "Who's the Mack?" was released as a promo single and music video. A remix of the album track "Endangered Species (Tales From The Darkside)" was later released as a single the EP Kill at Will.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[17]
The Austin Chronicle[18]
Blender[19]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[20]
NME7/10[21]
Rolling Stone[22]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide[23]
The Source5/5[24]
Spin Alternative Record Guide9/10[25]
The Village VoiceB−[26]

Upon release, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted received critical acclaim, and over the years it has been regarded by many as a hip-hop classic.[27][28] In The Washington Post, David Mills wrote that with the album, "Ice Cube has now proven that he was N.W.A.'s crucial element. He's an unusually gifted rhymer ... And his delivery is even more self-assured than it was when he dissed every cop in the nation."[29] The Source commented that Ice Cube's performances are given "the perfect backdrop" by the Bomb Squad, who the magazine said had "really outdone" themselves by integrating "funky pimp type grooves" into their "metallic bum-rush style of beats".[24] Steven Wells of NME felt that while Ice Cube's "political awareness and eloquence" are undermined by his "cock-waving machismo", the latter is somewhat tempered by his "self-deprecating sense of humour", with Wells ultimately calling the album "alternately appalling, refreshing, confused and dynamic".[21]

Writing for Entertainment Weekly, Greg Sandow viewed AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted as "an important social document, but not necessarily cohesive art", nonetheless acknowledging that "Ice Cube emerges as a rapper most original for his uncompromising tone."[20] While deeming the album musically "as original as A Tribe Called Quest, and probably doper", The Village Voice's Robert Christgau found Ice Cube's lyrics generally distasteful "despite his gift for rhyme and narrative".[26] Rolling Stone critic Alan Light declared the album "a disappointment" and said that "the relentless profanity grows wearisome, the Bomb Squad beats lose steam, and Cube's attitudes toward women are simply despicable."[22]

In a retrospective review, David Jeffries from AllMusic called AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted "a timeless, riveting exercise in anger, honesty, and the sociopolitical possibilities of hip-hop" showing Ice Cube "at his most inspired", crediting the album with helping to "boost the role of the individual in hip-hop."[17] In the 2004 Rolling Stone Album Guide, Peter Relic praised it as "an album of menacing, unflinchingly fierce rhymes that took millions of listeners deep into the terrors of South Central L.A."[23] Alan Light reappraised the album in the liner notes of its 2003 reissue, noting its "musical sophistication, brutal imagery, and relentless intensity" and deeming it "one of the most loved, hated, and pivotal albums in the history of hip-hop."[30]

Accolades

  • (*) signifies unordered lists
Publication Country Accolade Year Rank
About.com United States 100 Greatest Hip Hop Albums[27] 2008 33
Best Rap Albums of 1990[31] 2008 2
Robert Dimery 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die 2005 *
Ego Trip Hip Hop's 25 Greatest Albums by Year 1980–98 1999 1
The Guardian United Kingdom 1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die 2007 *
Mixmag The 100 Best Dance Albums of All Time 1996 24
New Musical Express Albums of the Year 1990 41
Rock De Lux Spain Albums of the Year 1990 46
Rolling Stone United States The Essential Recordings of the 90s 1999 *
The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time[32] 2020 187
The Source The 100 Best Rap Albums of All Time 1998 *
Spin Top 100 (+5) Albums of the Last 20 Years 2005 33
Albums of the Year 1990 1
Top 90 Albums of the 90s 1999 80
Tom Moon 1000 Recordings to Hear Before You Die 2008 *
Village Voice Albums of the Year 1990 6

Legacy

Ice Cube's social, and political commentary, delivered in an incisive manner, has influenced numerous rappers since Amerikkka's Most Wanted, particularly in the gangsta rap and political rap subgenres. Focusing on the hardships of life in South Central, Los Angeles, as well as criticizing the American Justice System and race relations in the United States, Cube became an outspoken voice of U.S. injustice against young Black Americans.

Although Ice Cube's popularity among mainstream listeners has lessened since the 2000s, and his sound may be considered distinctively old school to modern ears, many notable rappers themselves have been influenced by AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. His style of rapping about real life sentiment and socio-political awareness influenced the music of West Coast rappers, including that of Tupac Shakur, Ras Kass, and Xzibit, as well as East Coast rappers Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., and more recently, Saigon, JPEGMafia and Southern rapper Young Jeezy. East Coast rapper Redman also covered "Once Upon a Time in the Projects" on his album Doc's Da Name 2000, with the song "Jersey Yo!".

Commercial performance

AmeriKKKas Most Wanted debuted at number 19 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) two weeks after it was released for sales of over 500,000 copies. The album was eventually certified platinum four months later on September 16, 1990.

Track listing

No. Title Producer(s) Length
1 "Better Off Dead" Ice Cube, Sir Jinx 1:03
2 "The Nigga Ya Love to Hate" The Bomb Squad, Ice Cube (co.), Sir Jinx (co.) 3:13
3 "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" The Bomb Squad, Ice Cube (co.), Sir Jinx (co.) 4:08
4 "What They Hittin' Foe?" The Bomb Squad, Ice Cube (co.), Sir Jinx (co.) 1:22
5 "You Can't Fade Me / JD's Gaffilin'" The Bomb Squad, Ice Cube (co.), Sir Jinx (co.) 5:12
6 "Once Upon a Time in the Projects" Sir Jinx, The Bomb Squad (co.) 3:41
7 "Turn Off the Radio" The Bomb Squad, Ice Cube (co.), Sir Jinx (co.) 2:37
8 "Endangered Species (Tales from the Darkside)"

(featuring Chuck D)

 The Bomb Squad, Ice Cube (co.), Sir Jinx (co.) 3:21
9 "A Gangsta's Fairytale" (featuring Lil Russ) Ice Cube, Sir Jinx, The Bomb Squad (co.) 3:16
10 "I'm Only Out for One Thang" (featuring Flavor Flav) Ice Cube, Sir Jinx, The Bomb Squad (co.) 2:10
11 "Get Off My Dick and Tell Yo Bitch to Come Here" The Bomb Squad, Ice Cube (co.), Sir Jinx (co.) 0:56
12 "The Drive-By" Sir Jinx 1:01
13 "Rollin' wit the Lench Mob" The Bomb Squad, Ice Cube (co.), Sir Jinx (co.) 3:43
14 "Who's the Mack?" Sir Jinx, The Bomb Squad 4:35
15 "It's a Man's World" (featuring Yo-Yo) Sir Jinx, Ice Cube 5:26
16 "The Bomb" Sir Jinx, The Bomb Squad (co.) 3:25

Personnel

Charts

Certifications

Region CertificationCertified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI)[39] Silver 60,000‡
United States (RIAA)[40] Platinum 1,000,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

  1. ↑ "RIAA".
  2. ↑ Brian Coleman (October 13, 2014). "The Making of Ice Cube's "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted"". Medium. Archived from the original on March 27, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2019.
  3. ↑ Wang, Oliver (2003). Classic Material: The Hip-hop Album Guide. ECW Press. p. 87. ISBN 978-1-55022-561-7. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  4. ↑ Rabin, Nathan. "In 1990, Hammer, Vanilla Ice, A Tribe Called Quest, and Ice Cube reflected the splintering of the hip-hop nation". AV Club. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  5. ↑ Harling, Danielle (May 15, 2015). "Ice Cube Speaks On "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted's" Social & Political Relevance". Hip Hop DX. Retrieved January 12, 2018.
  6. ↑ Rys, Dan (May 15, 2015). "Street Knowledge: Ice Cube on 25 Years of 'AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'". XXL. Retrieved August 25, 2015.
  7. ↑ Ice Cube biography. enotes. Retrieved December 5, 2007.
  8. ↑ AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted certification. RIAA. Retrieved November 28, 2007.
  9. ↑ "Ice Cube, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted Retrospective [20 Years Later]". XXL. May 16, 2010. Archived from the original on July 22, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  10. ↑ Ketchum, William III (April 24, 2009). "Producer's Corner: Sir Jinx". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  11. 1 2 Kiser, Chad (May 2008). "Sir Jinx Part 2". DubCNN.com. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  12. ↑ Ro 2007, p. 17
  13. ↑ Tsomondo, Dzana (July 10, 2007). "Bum Rush The Show". Cool'eh Magazine. Archived from the original on February 18, 2012. Retrieved March 30, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Rap After the Riot: Smoldering Rage And No Apologies". The New York Times. Retrieved April 2, 2010.
  15. ↑ Watrous, Peter (September 16, 1990), "Review/Pop; Ice Cube's Hip-Hop Warms up the Apollo", The New York Times, retrieved April 23, 2010
  16. ↑ @icecube (May 15, 2020). "Fun fact: The WHO'S THE MACK video was directed by this guy. Alex Winter" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. 1 2 Jeffries, David. "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted – Ice Cube". AllMusic. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  18. ↑ Coletti, Christopher (April 4, 2003). "Ice Cube". The Austin Chronicle. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  19. ↑ Smith, RJ (March 2003). "Mad Dawg!". Blender. Vol. 2, no. 2. pp. 148–149. Archived from the original on February 20, 2003. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  20. 1 2 Sandow, Greg (May 25, 1990). "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on August 22, 2017. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  21. 1 2 Wells, Steven (July 21, 1990). "Freezy Rider". NME. p. 33.
  22. 1 2 Light, Alan (July 12–26, 1990). "Ice Cube: AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on June 21, 2008. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  23. 1 2 Relic, Peter (2004). "Ice Cube". In Brackett, Nathan; Hoard, Christian (eds.). The New Rolling Stone Album Guide (4th ed.). Simon & Schuster. pp. 400–401. ISBN 0-7432-0169-8.
  24. 1 2 "Ice Cube: Amerikkka's Most Wanted". The Source. Vol. 3, no. 4. Summer 1990. p. 44.
  25. ↑ Dyson, Michael Eric (1995). "Ice Cube". In Weisbard, Eric; Marks, Craig (eds.). Spin Alternative Record Guide. Vintage Books. pp. 189–190. ISBN 0-679-75574-8.
  26. 1 2 Christgau, Robert (July 3, 1990). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  27. 1 2 Adaso, henry. About.com's 100 Greatest Hip Hop Albums Archived April 5, 2015, at the Wayback Machine. About.com. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  28. ↑ Columnist. The Source Magazine's 100 Best Rap Albums. The Source. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  29. ↑ Mills, David (May 20, 1990). "Los Angeles' Gangsters Of Rap, Escalating The Attitude". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  30. ↑ Light, Alan (2003). AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (liner notes). Ice Cube. Priority Records. 72435-37601-2-0.
  31. ↑ Adaso, Henry. About.com's Best Rap Albums of 1990 Archived January 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. About.com. Retrieved April 1, 2010.
  32. ↑ "The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time - Rolling Stone". Rolling Stone. September 22, 2020. Retrieved September 29, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Australiancharts.com – Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted". Hung Medien. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Official Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Ice Cube Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  36. ↑ "Ice Cube Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  37. ↑ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  38. ↑ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1990". Billboard. Retrieved April 1, 2021.
  39. ↑ "British album certifications – Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted". British Phonographic Industry.
  40. ↑ "American album certifications – Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted". Recording Industry Association of America.

References

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