Friday, July 25, 2008

Ice Cube - AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted [The Samples]



May 16, 2020 Update:
Originally posted in July of '08, this sample set once had 32 tracks. Now it's got 46. I'm giving this one the re-up treatment in order to commemorate the 20th anniversary of AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted's release. I just had to do it - and you know it's 'cause I rep that west! Y'all already know that it's my favorite album by Ice Cube and the homie DP agrees. On this sixteenth day in May, XXL chimed in on the west coast vet's solo debut (check out their June issue - you'll see why), as did Logan of Height Five Seven (apologies in advance for the "tinniness" - I do my best). To build on what I wrote two years ago, one of the great aspects of this album is the seamless fusion between the convoluted, sample-heavy soundscapes of the Bomb Squad's production mixed with L.A.'s cacophonous gangsta rap -isms. Cube brought the west coast to the Mecca of hip hop - or was it the other way around? Think about it, word to Lynn Collins -- who, ironically, is not featured on this sample set! :P One.

July 25, 2008
Released in 1990, "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" created something of a storm in the world of hip hop, particularly on the West coast. To craft this masterful album, Ice Cube had to take a pilgrimage to the home of the genre, New York City, to work with legendary production team The Bomb Squad. But it all paid off as Cube dropped a classic which stayed true to his West coast background: packed with murderous lyrics and funky samples galore. (Our boy FXS hooked us up once again -- and I added a couple tracks -- for this one, so make sure to thank him in the comment section.) Beginning a string of heavy-hitting solo albums, many consider "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" to be Cube at his finest. I can't say that I disagree; I can say that I'm proud to present to you the sample set for this great album! Enjoy, and remember - West Up!