6 years since his last solo project, one of hip-hop’s living legends, Ice Cube returns with a conceptual body of work in “Man Down.” The 19-track collection examines the status of manhood in the present day and offers wisdom and criticism from a steadfast alpha male of the entertainment industry.
“Well, I just think men gotta stand up nowadays,” says Ice Cube. “You know, we taking hits in all kind of areas and directions. Manhood is being, you know, really called toxic, which I don’t subscribe to. I think being a man is great, masculinity is great. And so to me, it’s a record just… not beating it over the head, but if you listen to the album, there’s sprinkles of why the record is called Man Down, and what we need to do as men to stand back up.”
Known for his unfiltered storytelling and relentless energy, Cube’s new album is a message for everyone who’s ever been criticized for loving yourself. It speaks to resilience, unapologetic confidence, and the strength to believe in yourself. Ultimately, “Man Down” focuses on overcoming adversity and standing back up when life knocks you down.
In the song “Break the Mirror,” featuring another hip-hop legend Xzibit, produced by Samuel “The IIIrd” Elliot and Bigg Von, Xzibit shouts out Eminem with the following lines: “Ice Cube, I don’t act feminine (Nah) / You know, kinda like him and them / I’m toxic as Eminem (Toxic) / When he’s high off adrenaline, your a-s is cinnamon (Sweet).” You can bump the song and entire new album below.
