Ice Cube - The Predator

Released in the aftermath of the 1991 L.A. riots, The Predator radiates tension. Ice Cube infuses nearly every song, and certainly every interlude, with the hostile mood of the era. Even the album's most laid-back moment, "It Was a Good Day," emits a quiet sense of violent anxiety. Granted, Ice Cube's previous albums had been far from gentle, but they were filled with a different kind of rage. Granted, Ice Cube's previous albums had been far from gentle, but they were filled with a different kind of rage. he took aim at society in general: women, whites, Koreans, even his former group members in N.W.A. Here, Ice Cube is more focused. He found a relevant episode to magnify with the riots, and he doesn't hold back, beginning with the absolutely crushing "When Will They Shoot?" The song's wall of stomping sound sets the dire tone of The Predator and is immediately followed by "I'm Scared," one of the many disturbing interludes comprised of news commentary related to the riots. It's only during the aforementioned "It Was a Good Day" that Ice Cube somewhat alleviates this album's smothering tension. It's a truly beautiful moment, a career highlight for sure. However, the next song, "We Had to Tear This Mothafucka Up," eclipses the relief with yet more calamity. By the time you get to the album-concluding "Say Hi to the Bad Guy" and its mockery of policeman, hopelessness prevails. The Predator is a grim album, for sure, more so than anything Ice Cube would ever again record. In fact, the darkness is so pervasive that the wit of previous albums is absolutely gone. Besides the halfhearted wit of "Gangsta's Fairytale, Pt. 2," you won't find any humor here, just tension. Given this, it's not one of Ice Cube's more accessible albums despite boasting a few of his biggest hits. It is his most serious album. Released November 17, 1992 on Priority/EMI Records, the album peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart and #1 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums and was certified 2x platinum by RIAA.

''The First Day Of School (Intro)'' (Produced By. Ice Cube) 1:20

''When Will They Shoot?'' (Produced By. DJ Pooh, Bob Cat & Ice Cube) 4:36

''I'm Scared (Insert)'' (Produced By. Ice Cube) 1:32

''Wicked'' (Produced By. Torcha Chamba & Ice Cube) 3:55

''Now I Gotta Wet 'Cha'' (Produced By. DJ Muggs) 4:02

''The Predator'' (Produced By. DJ Pooh) 4:03

''It Was A Good Day'' (Produced By. DJ Pooh) 4:19

''We Had To Tear This Mothafucka Up'' (Produced By. DJ Muggs) 4:24

''Fuck 'Em (Insert)'' (Produced By. Sir Jinx) 2:02

''Dirty Mack'' (Produced By. Mr. Woody) 4:33

''Don't Trust 'Em'' (Produced By. Rashad, Ice Cube & DJ Pooh) 4:06

''Gangsta's Fairytale'' (feat. Lil' Russ) (Produced By. Pockets & Ice Cube) 3:18

''Check Yo Self'' (feat. Das EFX) (Produced By. DJ Muggs & Ice Cube) 3:42

''Who Got The Camera?'' (Produced By. Sir Jinx) 4:37

''Integration (Insert)'' (Produced By. Ice Cube) 2:32

''Say Hi To The Bad Guy'' (Produced By. Sir Jinx) 3:23


http://www.mediafire.com/?udhdzzjjwaw

(if you like what you hear GO OUT AND PURCHASE the album cuz if its good music its worth it)