Over the past two and a half decades Ice Cube has been nothing less than staple of what gangsta rap is supposed to be. Credited as one of the undisputable originators through his work as the lead lyricist for the Compton bred NWA gang of the mid and late 80’s Ice Cube has seemingly conquered everything he’s set out to do. From crafting classic albums, to starring in movies, to directing family movies, to making a grisly return to his gangsta rap roots it seems as though Ice Cube can do no wrong. Who else can star in Are We There Yet and still flex major street credibility with the like of his latest effort Raw Footage.

Cube steps out of his normal element on the albums opening effort "I Got My Locs On" as he and Young Jeezy bounce laid back lyrics over a southern tailored backdrop courtesy of DJ Toomp. On the album’s pre-determined first single "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do it" Cube goes off on a tangent against anybody with any ill fated thoughts or word towards gangsta rap. On "Hood Mentality" Ice Cube takes an interesting vantage point as he spews sarcastic but realistic instances of the average hood thought process. Cube raises more socially relevant questions on "Why Me" as well as the perfectly produced "Cold Places."

Cube utilizes the likes of "Jack In The Box" and "Thank God" to commemorate some of his own accomplishments within the various entertainment industries he’s influenced over the past couple of decades. Gems such as "Get Money, Spend Money, No Money" display Cube’s shift from lyrical perfection to a sharper focus on perfecting an uplifting message for the misguided urban youth of today. Before the album closes out completely Ice Cube proves he still holds hid tongue for no one as he speaks candidly on some political bull shit on both "Stand Tall" and the Butch Cassidy guested "Take Me Away."

Throughout this well thought out and executed collection of songs Ice Cube shows more than ever just how outspoken he really is. Raw Footage finds Cube criticizing everything from the current president, to the next president, and even those in the hoods of America. It seems as though Ice Cube didn’t really sit down and think about appeasing the metaphor thirsty rap crowd of today but instead opted to force feed them knowledge that just isn’t emphasized within the culture anymore.