In a politically-charged career that has lasted over 30 years, Ice Cube has never shied away from speaking his mind. Today, he has shared a poignant new song called "Arrest the President," from his first LP since 2010. Listen above.
With this track, Ice Cube aims his vintage gangsta-rap lyricism at the Trump administration. He pairs his classic menacing tone with political references, using lines like, "I make 'em scream bloody murder / Let's meet at the White House / Run in and turn the lights out / Man, they treat it like a trap house," to make it clear that he isn't afraid of anyone. His delivery paired with the old-school boom bap beat recalls his peak late '80s / early '90s output, updated to address modern times.
While Cube makes a point in discussing a broad range of key topics relating to the current political climate (Texaco's transnational capitalism, Trump's orange skin), he hones in on the matter of Russian interference during the 2016 election. Following a line referring to Trump as "Russian intelligence," the chorus drops the hammer: "Arrest the president, you got the evidence." By putting this nuanced issue forward in such a bold way, Cube taps into the same no-nonsense energy that made N.W.A.'s "Fuck Tha Police" a cultural touchstone 30 years ago. The difference is that this time he points the finger at arguably the most powerful man in the world.
"Arrest the President" proves that Cube's songwriting shines best in his angrier, more charged work. With the exception of his laid-back hit "It Was A Good Day," Ice Cube's lyricism and delivery reach their peak when he has fire behind his words.
The full album, Everythang's Corrupt, will be released, after many delays, on December 7, 2018. Ice Cube will be playing several west coast dates in December. For more information and concert tickets, check out his Zumic artist page.
