Ice Cube - War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc) [EXPLICIT LYRICS]

Nearly a decade into his career, Ice Cube remains at the forefront of gangsta rap--but when it comes to manipulating sounds, he sometimes seems one-dimensional, especially when compared with the likes of Snoop Doggy Dogg (who had a lot of help in that department from Cube's old N.W.A. mate Dr. Dre) and sample master Sean "Puffy" Combs. But on War & Peace, Vol. 1, Cube's first album in five years, the hip-hop renaissance man reestablishes himself as a kingpin in the studio as well as on the street. Every song is surrounded by minor-key melodies and moody flourishes that enhance the effect of the intimidating lyrics, and the overall sound of the mix is rich and deep. Cube doesn't stop there, however, adding touches such as a No Doubt sample loop on "War and Peace" and a queasy guitar riff on "Fuck Dying," compliments of neo-metal marauders Korn. Ice Cube plans to follow up The War Disc with The Peace Disc, which he says will be mellower and more ethereal, but for now, Cube remains the hardest in the game. --Jon Wiederhorn Amazon.com

War & Peace Vol. 1

One of my favorite Cube albums. Great beats, just flows like a crazy movie and i love the darkness and banging rhymes..... oh and don't worry, i know im white.. unless SOME of people out there... yeah YOU April 7, 2008

Ice Cube at his worst (2and 1/2 stars)

Ice Cube was at his best in the days of Amerikkkaz Most Wanted, Death Certificate, The Preadator and Lethal Injection. He kept it gangsta but at least he slipped you some solid gems through the music. Unfortunately this album is not even touching those albums whether in content or production. Although I understand why he had to back down, I dont understand why would he make himself a laughing stock with this album. This album sounds like an experimental rap album that was poorly executed. The Good: Ask About Me is a good opener. In the song Ghetto Vet(which was also in the I Got The Hook Up soundtrack) Ice Cube talks about being paralyzed by gun violence and songs like 3 Strikes You In and Penitentiary remind you vaguely of the old school Ice Cube. Dr Frankenstein and F*** Dying with Korn are also highlights. The Bad: Pushin Weight was a stupid single and Mr Short Khop sucks! Greed sucked on the Gang Related soundtrack and it sucks now. Ice Cube destroys any fond memories of Once Upon A Time In The Projects with a weak sequel and Cash Over *** will have tapping the skip button with the quickness. The Ugly: The Pecking Order and The Curse Of Money is hot garbage. Limos Demos and Bimbos and X-******* are Ice Cube at his sophomoric worst but as bad as they are they are pale in comparison to the grotesque If I Was F****** You. Bottom Line: This album is a disgrace to the west coast veteran and is Ice Cube's worst album ever. The production was awful(did every song have to have an eerie beat to it?) and Ice Cube kept talking about the main stuff. Dont mistake this album as Ice Cube's best and all you kids that keep saying that he stopped making good albums after The Predator need to check yourself. Lethal Injection will still be reached for after all these years when War And Peace Vol 1 will be catching dust like it should. June 13, 2007

His Best Album

Ask About Me 9/10
Pushin' Weight 9/10
Dr. Frankenstain 9/10
**** Dying 8/10
War & Piece 7/10
Ghetto Vet 9/10
Greed 4/10, The only bad song on this album.
MP (Skit)
Cash Over *** 8/10
The Curse Of Money 7/10
The Peckin' Order 9/10
Limos, Demos & Bimbos 7/10
Once Upon A Time In The Projects 2 7/10
If I Was ****** You 10/10
X-******* 10/10
Extradition 10/10
3 Strikes You In 9/10
Penitentiary 7/10

Definitely his best album.
February 21, 2007

An Underrated Disc From The Father Of Gangsta Rap (4.5)

Ice Cube made a very solid return to the rap game after a 5 year hiatus with his War Disc, where he promptly confronts ghetto difficulties. While doing so, he reaffirms his status as a premier rapper in the game today with hard, angry rap deliveries over some very nice beats. Ice Cube his just returned now with his latest studio album "Laugh Now, Cry Later" too which boasts some great tracks as well.

"Ask About Me" is a powerful opener, with a vibing instrumental beat and Cube spitting his lyrics strongly. "Pushin' Weight" is a good track where Cube explains how he's still holdin' it down in the game with his rhymes. "Dr. Frankenstein" is another tight track featuring Mr. Short Kop for another appearance on the album. "War and Peace" sees Ice Cube suggesting that peace is needed for all and he states "Westside for life but still down with the East". "Ghetto Vet" may be my favourite rap cut on the album where Cube takes a setting of a hospital describing a scene of contemplating suicide while near death. "Greed" is a heavy gangsta cut to follow it up, then Ice Cube moves into lyrics about money with "Cash Over A**" and "The Curse Of Money." The last few songs on this album are some of the best, which include "Extradition", a track laced with a sweet beat, "Penitentiary" and "3 Strikes You In", an aggressive cut.

Overall, this is a fairly strong rap release from Ice Cube who doesn't touch on anything political but rather spits about the hood as usual in a variety of ways. Lyrically he most often on the mark and his voice sounds mature and very strong. Recommended to any Ice Cube fan. September 22, 2006

One of the best from Cube.

Well this album might not be as good as Death Certificate or The Predator but it still is a great album from Cube. When I first heard The War disc I liked it but not alot. I finally got around to hear the album again and I started to enjoy it more. Cube takes over as producer in the war disc and he does a good job at it too. Songs like Cash Over A$$ is one of my favorite songs on the album. X-B!%@#'s is another good track from cube. I understand alot of Cube fans not likeing the album much. When you hear Amerikkas Most Wanted, Death Certificate or Predator, he talks alot about racism, struggles in the hood, and violence. In The War Disc he talks the cost's of fame and money, example: Greed, The Curse of Money, and Limos Demos and Bimbos. Also he talks about all the haters and women going out being gold diggers, example: X-B!%@#'s and Cash over A$$. Some stuff he talks about the hood and violence, like Ghetto Vet, 3 Strikes You In, Once Upon A Time In The Projects 2, and Penitentiary. I recommend this album to anyone who likes Cube or is just a big Rap fan. Get this instead of The Peace album because that album isn't Ice Cube's best work. Can't wait for the new album Laugh Now Cry Later out June 6. March 24, 2006

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