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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Exceptional album, August 19, 2008
Say what you want, Ice Cube is one of rap's pioneer's and definitely one of the best rappers, period. Forget all the sub-genres of rap - Ice Cube is the personification of true rap. His flow, his phrasing, and his lyrics are "ill". Anybody who wants to hear what straight-up rap is supposed to sound like, buy this album or Cube's previous album, LAUGH NOW, CRY LATER. Ice is relevant, despite any accusations made that the "original gangsta" sold out after his family-friendly movies. He is still a gangster - RAW FOOTAGE is the proof of this.
The album opens up with the quirky "What is A Pyroclastic Flow" (an interlude) that makes you wonder where Cube is going to take this thing. We later find that Cube references "Pyroclastic Flow" throughout the album. But really, did Cube have to prove to us his flow is "sick"? Nope, the "proof is in the pudding", as they say. Official opening track "I Got My Locs On" features none other than the second most featured rapper of 2008 (besides Weezy), Young Jeezy. "I Got My Locs On" is a great opener, though even stronger material shows up following it. "It Takes A Nation" is certainly one of RAW FOOTAGE's strongest number, in which Cube confidently states "there are seven known wonders of the world/you're about to witness the eighth motherf*****". Throughout this seminal track, Cube spits nothing but "ether" , as Diddy would say. It clearly shows that ARE WE THERE YET? didn't strip O'Shea Jackson of any of his "gangster-ism". One of the most creative lines might just be when Cube references being on an independent label and in essence, he doesn't care whether this album sells or not. If it doesn't, it is a shame.
"Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It" again showcases Cube's "pyroclastic flow". Cube talks real talk about gangsta rap and justifies the fact that he can say/do whatever the [bleep] he wants. It is a free country. "Hood Mentality" keeps the pace going in which Cube talks about well, having a "hood mentality", but not being "the hood". Call it whatever you want, it is another winning cut from RAW FOOTAGE. "Why Me" features neo-soul standout Musiq Soulchild, at his best as always. The production work continues an incredible strong streak, as does Cube. Real hip-hop ladies and gentlemen. It makes you wonder if Erykah Badu was so off when she compared hip-hop to religion on 2008's "The Healer/Hip-Hop" ("it's bigger than religion hip-hop..."). "Cold Places" is one of my personal favorites, if for nothing else but the sick production work. Aside from the killer beat and undeniably sick synths, Cube's flow is unparalleled here. Cube truly proves he is the embodiment of hip-hop. He is gangsta-rap. What he shows more importantly is that these "studio rappers" don't know anything about "gangsta rap", which he also quotes in his track, "Thank God".
"Jack N The Box", "Do Your Thang", "Thank God", and "Here He Come" (featuring Doughboy) are all top notch. "Thank God" maybe one of the catchiest of the album in which Cube asserts "Thank God the Gangsta's back... and we ain't got to put up with this brainless rap...". Valid? Very. Furthermore, the introduction to "Thank God" makes you reminisce of the days that Ice Cube was one of the most politically/socially charged rappers out there. Agree or disagree, Cube's message is really powerful. "Thank God" might just be my favorite from RAW FOOTAGE. "Get Money, Spend Money" isn't a miss, but it doesn't stand up as strong as the very best. "Get Use To It" features more extraodinary production (Nas could take a tip from Cube about strong production work). "Tommorow" showcases some of the best hip-hop production I've heard in sometime. Independent or not, this album sounds like it could've been produced by major-label producers. "Tommorow" may not shine as brightly as say "Jack N The Box" or "Thank God", but it certainly shines brighter than most of the tracks by most other rappers in 2008. "Stand Tall" features throwback, retro-soul production. Shouldn't Ice Cube sound soft with such a backdrop? Of course not - the clash between the soft texture of the production and the hard-laced Cube plays exceptional well, contrasting wonderfully. "Take Me Away" featuring Butch Cassidy finds Cube referencing his influential hit "Today Was Good Day", which is awesome.
While some of the sheen of RAW FOOTAGE has worn off by this track (track 16), Cube has done more than enough to earn his honors of 4 stars from me. Personally, I'd love to see this album get a Grammy Nomination. However, the west Coast has been ignored by The Grammys in the past. Maybe, this year is the year. Superb album.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
8th solo is another good one, September 12, 2008
Ice Cube returns after 2 years for his 8th solo, and once again it's another good one. Of his 8, most I'd give 4 stars, this being one of them, and a couple I'd give 4.5 stars. With 18 songs (1 is a live version of a song from his last album, so you get 17 new songs). Of the 17, 2 are almost a classics, 5 are ok, and the other 10 are good, with a few being real good. After 21 years in the Rap Game, Cube still delivers with Raw talent and ferocity on some tracks. Guests are minimal, on 5 songs and only rapping on 3 of them, so you get alot of Cube on here. Production is nice as well. Teak & Dee Underdue do 4 songs, Emile does 2, Swizz beats, PnO, Maestro, tha Bizness, Felli Fel, Palumbo beats, Symphony, EmBeatz, baby Dubb, DJ Crazy Toones, Young Fokus all do 1 song. A nice album to have form one of the all time greats.
#2 - 7 (f/ Young Jeezy)
#3 - 9 (good beat)
#4 - 9.5 (tight beat)
#5 - 8
#6 - 9.5 (f/ Musiq Soulchild) -- nice beat
#7 - 8.5
#8 - 7
#9 - 7.5
#10 - 8.5 (good beat)
#11 - 7 (f/ Doughboy)
#12 - 8
#13 - 7 (f/ WC & The Game)
#14 - 8
#15 - 9 (nice relaxing beat)
#16 - 9 (f/ Butch Cassidy -- nice beat)
#17 - 9.5 (tight beat)
#18 - 8
#19 (Live version of "Why We Thugs")
O'Shea Jackson -- b. 7/15/69 -- Compton, CA
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
some haters on here.., August 21, 2008
I don't know what these people are talkin about, Cube has gone soft? This album isn't raw? WTF are you talkin about? Cube is still bringin it, hard as ever, this is just as good as "Laugh Now, Cry Later", possibly even better. Cube doesn't even rap for the money, he raps because he loves to, and say whatever you want about him, he's still droppin hits, and none of it is going to involve dancing around on MTV like Lil Wayne or 50 cent. Sure, he's done some movies to make an extra checc, but that's because Cube is an -artist- in every way he can express himself, so he tried acting too and wasn't the greatest, but who brought us Friday? NWA? Who wrote for Eazy-E? It's all Cube. All day. If you're going to hate on an album this year, choose a different one, this is a 4 star.
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