Some folks here at grownheadz thought this clip was kinda funny. Some others thought differently.
Point/Counterpoint: “I’m Not Afraid of Ice Cube Anymore”
Point: This dude’s song is cute on the surface. To use his own words against him, Ice Cube “used to be hard, now he’s all red and soft.” Is he done yet (laugh track here)?
But underneath it, something in this smacks of condescension and ownership. We all know what happened the last time white folks got too comfortable with ownership.
Is it Cube’s job to keep middle-aged white guys scared? Is his artistic/commercial merit dependent on providing the children of the power elite with vicarious thrills of a ghetto life they know they’ll never have to confront?
I know Cube isn’t the gangsta he used to be (at least, on wax). I want him to put out realer music too. I want to hear Cube rap about his bougie-ass kids trying to be gangsta, the political process behind making his movies, being married, Black Hollywood and the rich man remix of “Today was a good day.” I don’t need Cube to scare me with tales from the hood; his lyrical talent is monster enough.
Counterpoint: This song is funny, though.
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What happened to the Ice Cube clip?