Wicked
Ice Cube · 1992
20 min · 5 tracks · gangsta rap
A sharp, gritty exploration of urban life layered over haunting samples and hard-hitting beats.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wicked (LP version) — This track serves as the album's title piece, encapsulating Cube's aggressive delivery and socially charged lyrics while featuring an infectious hook that highlights his signature style.
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U Ain’t Gonna Take My Life — With its intense narrative and powerful message about resilience against violence, this track reflects Cube's ability to blend storytelling with hard-hitting commentary on street life.
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Wicked (radio) Start here — The radio version presents a more accessible take on the album’s themes, showcasing Cube's knack for delivering potent messages within radio-friendly formats without losing intensity.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
Ice Cube's 'Wicked' showcases strong writing and production, marking a significant moment in gangsta rap.
What we noticed
- The title track features a prominent, haunting sample layered with aggressive beats that drive the rhythm forward.
- The song 'U Ain’t Gonna Take My Life' employs a narrative structure, presenting a story through its verses and maintaining a consistent tempo throughout.
- The radio version of 'Wicked' is edited for content, altering the flow and impact of the original lyrics.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- short bursts of intense energy
- political commentary with urgency
- in-order listening for impact
- punchy tracks for quick sessions
Maybe skip if you
- prefer longer, sprawling albums
- seek mellow, relaxed vibes
Where this album fits
- Career context
- By the time 'Wicked' was released in November 1992, Ice Cube was transitioning from his early years with N.W.A to a successful solo career. This album followed his acclaimed debut, 'AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted', and showcased his evolving sound and lyrical prowess at the height of West Coast hip-hop's influence.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Dr. Dre· Eazy-E· Snoop Dogg
Tracklist
- 1 Wicked (radio) Start here 3:59
- 2 Wicked (instrumental) 4:00
- 3 U Ain’t Gonna Take My Life 4:10
- 4 U Ain’t Gonna Take My Life (instrumental) 4:09
- 5 Wicked (LP version) 3:57
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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