When American rapper Ice Cube first hit the big time, he was the lead emcee for NWA. He penned almost all the lyrics for their infamous track “F@#k Tha Police.” After a messy disagreement with Easy-E and the band’s manager Jerry Heller, he went solo in 1992.
This list of the best Ice Cube songs of all time only includes tracks that he made after his NWA departure. Famous for his lyricism, hard rhyme style, and menacing demeanor, he might have been the angriest rapper in the 1990s. One thing that you can never overlook is the quality of his rapping and songs. Here are some of his best.
50 Best Ice Cube Songs of All Time
1 It Was a Good Day
“It Was a Good Day” is easily Ice Cube’s most famous song. This should always be in the top spot in the Top 10 Ice Cube songs. Not just because it helped to solidify his solo career, but also for how great it was. Some rap aficionados have this track in the top 10 best rap songs of all time, and I wouldn’t argue that.
This track left an impression on me as a very young man at the time. It was from his excellent The Predator album in 1993 that made massive waves in the rap industry during that period.
It didn’t make any Hot 100 billboards charts or even get released as a single in any other territory aside from America. But it’s still fondly remembered today. The concept of the track was a day in South Central Los Angeles where nothing bad happened for a change. His timeless lyrics, “I didn’t even have to use my AK, today it was a good day,” pretty much epitomizes the entire vibe of this rap classic.
2 You Know How We Do It
When Ice Cube’s fourth studio album, Lethal Injection, was released in 1993, it was one of the most eagerly-awaited rap albums ever. “You Know How We Do It” was the first single from that album, and it’s still fondly remembered today by rap fans.
The instrumental had a more G-funk sound when compared to his earlier tracks. Those were produced by the Bomb Squad and were known for their up-tempo beats and chaotic vibe.
This track rolls along and is the perfect cruising track to bump out of your ride. It made #30 on the Hot 100 Billboard Charts in the US. That represented a commercial success for any rap artist at the time because Hip-Hop had very limited exposure in the mainstream and almost no nationwide radio play. This is another classic Ice Cube song that still sounds great today.
3 No Vaseline
Can’t say I was a massive fan of “No Vaseline” when it first came out. That’s because it was a diss track to the NWA, and I was a massive Dr. Dre fan at the time. When it came out in 1991 in his Death Certificate album, it shocked many people. Especially those in his former group who didn’t see it coming. It called them all a bunch of b*tches for getting ripped off by Easy-E and Jerry Keller.
NWA was not amused. But, to be fair, Cube tried to warn Dre that he was being ripped off. Dre eventually split with NWA, just like his former group member. After that, Dre joined forces with Suge Knight to create Death Row Records, and the rest is history.
4 Check Yo’ Self
“Check Yo Self” is by far one of the most popular Ice Cube songs. There are two versions of the song, and they are different in the best possible way. The standard album track is great. But, most people prefer the remix that was launched as a single in 1992 and featured the rap duo Das EFX.
The remix is also more famous. That’s because it used the same sample that was used for the rap music classic “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel, and the Furious Five. I prefer the album version because I think it’s sacrilegious to even attempt to use “The Message” instrumental. But I’m just a purist like that.
5 Once Upon a Time in the Projects
When Ice Cube told a story in his raps, it was a joy to behold. One of his best storytelling tracks was the amusing and enjoyable “Once Upon a Time in the Projects.” It was from his first solo studio album, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted. And, it was a welcome relief to some of his more militant-sounding tracks off that LP.
Cube takes you on a journey through the projects, where he ends up in a home that happens to be a crack house. He went there to meet a girl and got caught up in the madness when the police busted the house while he is there. It’s hilarious stuff and showed another side to his songwriting.
6 Ghetto Bird
I don’t think that “Ghetto Bird” gets enough kudos. Sadly, it is often overlooked when making the best Ice Cube songs of all time lists. I am not going to make that same mistake.
It was first launched as a lead single for his Lethal Injection album. Also, it enjoyed a bit of reboot when it was included on the soundtrack of the 2013 computer game GTA-V. This gave the song a new and younger audience almost 20 years after its original release.
Just so you know, ‘Ghetto Bird’ is street slang for a police helicopter that hovers above the hood looking for troublemakers. The song is a very unique concept, but that’s the sort of thing that Cube did very well throughout his career.
#7 Natural Born Killaz
“Natural Born Killaz” was such an epic track back in 1994. Mostly because it was the first time that he and Dr. Dre had worked together since they split from NWA. Dre had already released his album, The Chronic, which featured Snoop Dogg. So, everyone was very excited when we learned they had collaborated on this track.
It was a single that was featured on the motion picture soundtrack for the “Murder Was the Case” movie, which at the time was making big moves. The instrumental was produced by Dre and merges his famous G-funk sound with something a bit more sinister and haunting. It’s a darn good track.
8 Down For Whatever
Not many people think about “Down For Whatever,” and it always amazed me how much it’s overlooked. But that’s why I am here today. It was from his Lethal Injection album, but I remember it best as a B-side for the single “Bop Gun (One Nation)” that came out in August 1994.
It’s a sinister and creepy track that has a horror movie feel and Halloween vibes. The slow G-funk style riffs meld perfectly with this slow and melodic instrumental. Even though it wasn’t a single or even that well known, in my eyes, it was 100x better than “Bop Gun.”
9 Wicked (feat. Super Cat)
“Wicked” had a real Rap and Reggae vibe that was personified by having the Dancehall legend Super Cat on the chorus and intro. It was up-tempo, in-your-face, aggressive, and relentless. That was essentially the entire vibe of his The Predator album. When it first came out in November 1992, it did relatively well in a commercial sense for such a hardcore rap tune.
Cube’s hard and fast flows made this compulsive listening. Most of his fans believe this album was when Cube was at his best, and it’s hard to argue with that. It’s a bit of a forgotten track these days, but it was massive in the rap community at the time.
10 A Gangsta’s Fairytale
Ice Cube storytelling tracks are some of my favorites. “A Gangsta’s Fairytale” was from his first album in 1990 and was the first time outside of NWA that I’d heard him tell a story in this way. He captured what it was like living in Compton at the time and hood life.
It wasn’t released as a single, but it does still hold a place in the hearts of his fans. He went on to use this type of storytelling formula to great effect during his career. But I believe this is where it all truly started, so I have to include it on my list.
11How We Do
12Self Check
13Today Was a Good Day
14Projects Chronicles
15Sky High
16Born to Kill
17Up for Anything
18Street Dreams
19It Ain’t Easy
20Can’t Hold Me Back
21Endangered Species
22Thug Life
23Death Certificate
24Cold World
25Gangsta Stories
26No Mercy
27War Zone
28Natural Born Soldier
29Hood Politics
30Keep It Real
31Lethal Injection
32Life of a G
33I Am the West
34Street Knowledge
35Stand Tall
36AmeriKKKa’s Most Hated
37West Coast Anthem
38Born To Die
39Last Man Standing
40Steady Mobbin’
41King of the Streets
42Bop Gun
43Laugh Now, Cry Later
44Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
45Chrome & Paint
46Gangsta’s Prayer
47State of Emergency
48Too West Coast
49Don Mega
50The N***a You Love to Hate
51Ride Along
52Call Me Killer
53Wicked Streets
54Death Row Chronicles
55No Regrets
Want More Incredible Rap and Hip-Hop Music?
If so, check out our thoughts on the Best 2000s Rap Songs, the Best 90s Hip Hop Songs, the Best Hip Hop Songs Of All Time, the Best Rap Songs About Money of All Time, or the Best Sad Rap Songs for more amazing song selections.
Best Ice Cube Songs of All Time – Final Thoughts
Since his solo career began in 1990, Ice Cube has gone on to make ten studio albums. The last one was Everythangs Corrupt in 2018. He has been quite constant with his album releases. But, today, he is known more as an actor than a rap artist, and I’m not sure that sits well with me.
You might still catch Cube performing live or on tour now and again. But, in all honesty, he hasn’t released an album for five years now. So, we are not sure if he’s done or just catching a break from recording. Even if he never raps again, this list of the best Ice Cube songs goes to show that he is an absolute rap music juggernaut and legend of the highest order.
Until next time, happy listening.
