Ice Cube's 'The Predator'; Classic, Dope, Regular, or Garbage?

When it comes to classic Ice Cube — as a solo artist — of course, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and Death Certificate, are the albums that comes to mind. In addition, Kill At Will, an EP. However, it seems to me his ’92 release, The Predator has gotten swept under the Hip Hop rug. Or at least it doesn’t get acknowledged as much as the aforementioned. Let’s talk about it.

Cube released, The Predator in November 1992. It was his third album release. Like his previous efforts, Cube addressed issues pertaining to white privileged, police brutality, and issues concerning ghetto America. Just so happens, the album dropped a year after the infamous Rodney King beating, which came at the hands of the LAPD.

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“Who Got the Camera?” — influenced by the King beating — finds Cube hoping someone has a camera just in case he’s caught in a similar situation.

“We Had to Tear This Mothafucka Down,” referring to the Los Angeles riots, documented the aftermath of the King’s verdict, which a jury acquitted the four officers.

If Cube had a problem with you, he didn’t bite his tongue. He sent shots at Billboard and the editor on the title-track.

There were a softer tone on some parts of the album, compared to albums of the past. “It Was a Good Day,” the album’s second single, possessed a lighter approach and more commercial appeal. Using the Isley Brothers sample, Cube narrates the story of how nothing could go wrong for him for a whole 24 hours. Whether is was linking up with a chick he’d been wanting since high school or his favorite basketball team winning, it worked out in his favor.

“It’s ironic, I had the brew — she had the chronic. The Lakers beat the Supersonics.”

“It Was A Good Day” is the second single from The Predator

One of Cube’s strengths as a lyricist is the hood storytelling, which was on display with the aforementioned, “It Was A Good Day,” as well as “Don’t Trust ‘Em” and “Gangsa’s Fairytales 2.” The latter was a piggyback track from AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.

The Predator atop both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. It was certified 3X Platinum.

The Predator was Cube’s most successful album, in terms of the Billboard and record sells. That could be accredited to the singles appealing to a broader audience. However, as all Hip Hop fans would know that the charts nor the RIAA doesn’t decide if it’s a classic, dope, regular, or garbage.