Lench Mob Records released Raw Footage from Ice Cube on August 19, 2008 and in only one month, the Amazon reviews are rolling in. Musac Critic's Amazon review calls it an "exceptional album" and if his review is typical of all rap music fans, Raw Footage shows why Ice Cube's is one of hip hop's true pioneers. Vanguard rap is the new rap music to blaze hip hop culture and is available monthly as free downloads for rap music lovers to check out. For your free top rap music, click here.
Here's Musac Critic's Amazon partial review and there are scores of others so you be the judge:
"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"....
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".
