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Ice Cube isn’t cooling down over time
By John Benson
In terms of hip-hop, the summer of 1989 was a major year for touring artists. That’s when controversial rap act N.W.A. hit the road with a then-teenaged LL Cool J on “The Nitro Tour” alongside a revolving door of openers ranging from Public Enemy to De La Soul.
Now, nearly a quarter of a century later, the same artists — instead of N.W.A it’s a solo Ice Cube (aka O’Shea Jackson) — are joining together for “The Kings of the Mic Tour,” which comes to Cleveland on Tuesday at the Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica. A quick look at Ice Cube’s set list reveals he’ll be performing his erstwhile group’s “Straight Outta Compton” and “Gangsta Gangsta,” as well as solo tunes “You Know How We Do It” and “It Was A Good Day.”
Life is good for actor-director Ice Cube, whose movie career is at an all-time high having appeared in 2012 features “21 Jump Street” and “Rampart.” Other film projects in development include a biopic on N.W.A and another “Friday” film. Musically, his new album, “Everythang’s Corrupt” is due out soon. The Vindicator talked to Ice Cube about his memories of Cleveland and the current package tour.
Q. Think back over the years — what memorable shows have you performed in Northeast Ohio?
A. It’s always back in the day. We played, I think, the Front Row with N.W.A. a few times. I remember those shows are always vivid and bring back memories. The stage rotates, and it’s incredible. Back then, it was like ’88 and ’89, it was a top venue for the rap acts. You had to walk through the crowd to get to the stage. It was a trip.
Q. As for “The Kings of the Mic Tour,” why was it time to join together for another jaunt across the states?
A. It was cool that after so much time has passed that we can still do it again. I think the crowd likes the packages. Anybody can play the House of Blues, but this is something special. You know, every young MC wants to be us at some point. So this just shows if you stay down and you don’t worry about what they say and you just do what you do, you can be here. People will bless you with longevity if you give them passion and great product.
Q. Did you ever envision in the late SSRq80s and early SSRq90s you’d still be rapping, recording and touring?
A. Hell, yeah. I look at people like George Burns and [expletive]. I say, “Why not me?” I want to be 100 still doing what I do. Why do I have to stop? I’m too young to retire. I’m not about to go fishing. So it’s like do what you love, and you’re talking about rapping. You’re not talking about dunking a basketball. So I can do it as long as I want to do it.
Q. As far as your new album, “Everythang’s Corrupt,” how does it differ from your previous effort, “I Am the West?”
A. Each record to me is kind of a wave or feeling that I have. “I Am the West” was kind of just, to me, reestablishing to the new rappers and to the youth what I’ve done. I’m not just Mr. Movie Man. This new record, to me, is a record that has no hang-ups. It goes from political to funny to street. It’s a record that really is just me trying to be as creative as I can and still spit ferocious lyrics. Still be clever and witty.