Ice Cube has sounded off with his thoughts on whether he believes 2Pac‘s “Hit ‘Em Up” is a better diss track than his 1991 song “No Vaseline.”
During a recent conversation with DJ Whoo Kid, the West Coast rap legend scoffed at a ranking of the “Most Unforgettable Diss Tracks in Hip Hop History,” by The Root, in which “No Vaseline” was listed in third place while 2Pac’s “Hit ‘Em Up” sat nicely in the number one spot.
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“How’s 2Pac number one when he needed help on that record?” questioned Cube. “Me, ‘No Vaseline,’ one MC. I love Nas but it’s not,” he quickly segued as the host interjected to inform him of who occupied second place: Nas with “Ether.”
“Took out four n-ggas and the manager. I mean, damn! Got to give me credit for that,” continued Cube of the track, which took aim at his former N.W.A groupmates Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella, as well as their manager, Jerry Heller.
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“[The] group was over. I don’t know if they made another record after that. So, nah man. Sorry!”
Check out the interview below.
Ice Cube’s comments received a lukewarm reception on social media as people began to chime in after a clip from his interview resurfaced via The Art of Dialogue on Twitter.
“Why is this even a discussion,” said DJ Quik, while fellow Cali rapper Glasses Malone showed a united front with the Straight Outta Compton MC, saying: “agreed top 3 diss records of all time 1. no vaseline 2. ether 3. hit me up.”
Cube’s discontent regarding how he feels others have viewed his contributions to Hip Hop has long been vocalized.
Earlier this year, the rap veteran took issue with Billboard’sTop 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time list, demanding that his placement on the list proved the publication “ain’t Hip Hop.”
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TMZ Hip Hop caught up with Cube as he was leaving Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in February, and Cube at first didn’t seem to be phased by his ranking as the 18th greatest rapper of all time.
“Who?” he asked rhetorically when the reporter mentioned Billboard‘s list. “I don’t fuck with Billboard or the editor. Billboard ain’t Hip Hop so their opinion don’t matter. So who gives a fuck?”
Cube then argued that his Mount Westmore contemporary Too $hort not being included on the list was definitely an undeserved snub.
“It’s an irrelevant list,” he continued. “It’s like assholes: everybody got one and they all stink.”
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Billboard‘s 50 greatest rappers list was topped by JAY-Z, with the publication citing his commercial success, critical acclaim, cultural impact, entrepreneurial achievements and career longevity, along with his uniquely “regal-scented rhymes that speak to the struggle.”
Following Hov was Kendrick Lamar (No. 2), Nas (No. 3), 2Pac (No. 4), Eminem (No. 5), The Notorious B.I.G. (No. 6), Lil Wayne (No. 7), Drake (No. 8), Snoop Dogg (No. 9) and Nicki Minaj (No. 10), making her the highest-ranked female on the list.
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The heavily-debated list also featured Kanye West, Andre 3000, Rakim, LL COOL J, Black Thought, Scarface, 50 Cent, Missy Elliott and many more.
