Ice Cube dishes on why Dr. Dre didn’t produce his debut album, and Eazy-E’s unexpected role in the decision.
- After leaving N.W.A., Ice Cube hoped to collaborate with Dr. Dre on his first solo venture.
- Eazy-E and Jerry Heller vetoed Dre’s involvement, altering hip-hop history.
- Public Enemy’s Bomb Squad took over production for Cube’s debut, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.
- Years later, Cube and Dre reunited musically, despite past tensions.
Ice Cube had big plans after leaving N.W.A., aiming to have Dr. Dre produce his debut solo album. However, things didn’t go as he hoped. Cube shared his story on Complex’s Idea Generation, explaining how he tried to maintain friendships despite the business chaos.
In 1989, Cube split from N.W.A. but wanted to work with Dre. “Me and Eazy was shaky,” he admitted, adding that he had no love lost for Jerry Heller.
Cube revealed he envisioned Dre behind his first album, but Eazy-E and Jerry Heller blocked it. Instead, Public Enemy’s Bomb Squad produced the album, giving it a distinctive flavor.
AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted dropped without Dre’s touch, altering the course of hip-hop. Cube famously expressed his frustrations through the track “No Vaseline.”
Despite the rocky past, Cube and Dre eventually collaborated again in 1994 on the song “Natural Born Killaz.” This track was meant for a joint album that never materialized.
Switching gears, Ice Cube is preparing to release Man Down, his first album in years, set to feature numerous West Coast legends.
Cube’s new project will include appearances from hip-hop stars like Killer Mike, Busta Rhymes, and more, showing his continued influence in the industry.
Meanwhile, Dr. Dre is also busy working on Snoop Dogg’s upcoming album Missionary, featuring big names like Eminem and 50 Cent.
The new Snoop album will also surprise fans with collaborations from unexpected artists, including Sting and Jelly Roll.
Despite any past tensions in hip-hop, the spirit of collaboration remains strong between these legendary artists.
Ice Cube’s journey through music shows how obstacles can lead to new paths, keeping the spirit of creativity alive.
