Covering Ice Cube’s career since NWA, this compilation shows without a doubt Ice Cube made it well and truly on his own as a rap MC. Although some think he has kind of lost it with his appearance in kiddy movies, his later raps are just as aggressive and confrontational as his early stuff.

The album opens with his 2006 track Go To Church with Lil’ Jon and Snoop Dog, a blistering attack on the prudes of the world. Also from 2006 is the live version of Why We Thugs / Smoke Some Weed, recorded in Perth, so this is an obvious tour tie in, but shouldn’t be dismissed because of that.

Pretty much all his best work is on here. From AmeriKKKa’s Most wanted we have Rollin’ With The Lench Mob and A Gangster’s Fairy Tale. From his best album, Death Certificate, there is Bird In The Hand, Givin’ Up The Nappy Dugout and The Wrong Nigga To Fuck With. From The Predator this compilation contains It Was A Good Day, When Will They Shoot and perhaps his most famous, Check Yo Self.

The album also contains Supreme Hustle, Greed, and War & Peace from War & Peace Vols 1 & 2. Whilst not as well known as his first few albums, these mid 90s tracks show the subject and witticism of his rhymes hasn’t changed much, even though the world did. Even the last track, 2008s Cold Places shows Ice Cube still has strong views on Black politics in the United States.

If you’re not a fan of Ice Cube, you’re not going to like this, and even I got a little bored of all the “fuck”, “bitches” and N*words throughout his rhymes. But I gotta admit, he does swear very well. And if you are already a fan you’ve probably got all his best stuff anyway. But considering the tour, and the fact he’s not had a ‘best of’ before, The Essentials is a great introduction to those who maybe only know some of Ice Cube’s more popular tunes.