In May of 1990 Ice Cube, after leaving NWA over financial disputes, dropped a bomb that would forever alter his position in music and media, cause a few wars with new enemies, and deliver a bi-coastal effort that remains amongst the best full-length releases in Hip-Hop history.

In the late 1980's, when west coast Hip=Hop began to come to prominence, there was not yet a "west coast sound". Dr. Dre's mid 80's productions with The World Class Wreckin' Cru and The Unknown DJ were sonically more like Kraftwerk and "Planet Rock".

As the late '80s approached, Dre would adopt a style much like most east coast Hip-Hop with samples and drum loops. Eazy E's solo releases and N.W.A.'s early releases musically mirrored Public Enemy, The Beastie Boys and other east coast acts. Ice Cube's group CIA (Cru In Action) even adopted a Beastie Boy flow and cadence on 1987's "My Posse".

1990's Amerikkka's Most Wanted went straight to the source of the east coast sound, employing Public Enemy's Bomb Squad for production, a brilliant move which no doubt contributed to the success of the project. Cube's ex NWA group mate Dr. Dre was actually Cube's first choice, but Eazy E, who Dre was signed to vetoed.

In an interview with Complex's Idea Generation, Cube revealed that Eazy E and Jerry Heller (NWA's manger) gave a no to the request. “I still tried to be friends with the guys who had nothing to do with the business,” he said. “Me and Eazy was shaky, and I didn’t care about Jerry Heller at all, so it wasn’t no love lost there. But I tried to keep it together with Dre. I even wanted Dre to produce my solo record, and we was talking about it, but Eazy and Jerry vetoed it.”

Not since LL COOL J's collab with the west coast production team, The L.A. Posse for 1987's Bigger and Deffer had a bi-coastal release had such far reaching impact. In addition to features from Public Enemy's Chuck D and Flavor Flav, Amerikkka's Most introduced the world to Yo-Yo, and served as an introduction to one of Hip-Hop's most prolific MC's.

The Ni**a You Love To Hate

Cube starts things off with "Better Off Dead", a skit where he's electrocuted, with the last words, "Fuck all y'all". That attitude permeated this 16 song project which traveled from prison, to the projects, the corner, and beyond.

"The Nigga You Love To Hate" encapsulates the life of a gangsta, who has started to wake up to the realities of his community and it's situation. "The day has come that you all hate/Just think if ni**as decide to retaliate/Kickin' shit called street knowledge, why more ni**as in the pen than in college?", he asks. A sped up "Atomic Dog" by George Clinton is the perfect backdrop for this sonic assault.

Amerikkka's Most Wanted

"Here's what the poster read/Ice Cube is wanted dead". The man who penned "Fuck The Police" continues his war on the powers that be and their law enforcement arm. Over a frantic beat Cube spits, "Word, but who the fuck is Herb?/It's time to take a trip to the suburbs/Let 'em see a ni**a invasion/Point blank on a Caucasian." Where his writing for NWA seemed more for shock value, and less focused, the focus here is laser sharp.

Endangered Species feat. Chuck D

"Endangered Species" speaks to the war on Black men waged by law enforcement, and the self genocide caused by gangs and other community ills. "They'll kill 10 of me to get the job correct, to serve, protect, and beak a n**gas neck", Cube spits. Chuck D's inclusion here simply punctuates Cube's growth from his NWA days.

The Bomb

"The Bomb" is a perfect representation of Cube, The Bomb Squad and their incredible synergy. "It's the Hip-Hopper that don't like coppers". "The Bomb" doesn't tackle any social issues or make any grand statements, its just Cube flexing his versatile delivery over the Bomb Squad's wall of sound.

"Once Upon A Time In The Projects", "You Can't Fade Me", "Who's The Mack", and "It's A Man's World" round out a perfect debut, and make Amerikkka's Most Wanted the prototype for intelligent gangsta rap. 35 years later there's still no need for the fast forward button.