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I Am the West
by
I Am the West Image
Metascore
62

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 21 Ratings

  • Summary: As one of the most well-known West Coast MCs, Ice Cube's ninth studio album heralds his love of California and his hometown of Compton.
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. AllMusic
    80
    Most won't have the skills to follow his playbook, either on or off the field, but Cube's utterly unique I Am the West shows the younger generation how to cross 40 while retaining their freedom and baller status.
  2. RapReviews.com
    75
    On the tracks of I Am the West that work the best, he's still got the vintage gruff demeanor, lyrical ferocity and hard hitting beats to claim some significant ownership of the Pacific shoreline. At other times he desperately desires to have a contemporary sound, and that's where things fall apart, but those mistakes can be overlooked or easily skipped compared to the quality of the overall presentation.
  3. BBC Music
    70
    While the leader has become absorbed by the pack, however, at least I Am the West doesn't go down without a mouthy fight.
  4. Mojo
    Dec 20, 2010
    60
    Despite some uneven quality control, here's proof that this veteran MC still has things to say. [Dec 2010, p.94]
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  5. Rolling Stone
    50
    His rants get boring over track after track of bland Nineties G-funk (a promised collaboration with his estranged N.W.A homey Dr. Dre never came through).
  6. Slant Magazine
    50
    Judging by moments like these, when Cube's performance is allowed to take center stage, I Am the West becomes an engaging hip-hop record.
  7. Pitchfork
    44
    So even if I Am the West is little more than another reminder of what Cube's day job was before becoming a Hollywood supermogul, if it does result in someone's hearing AmeriKKKA's Most Wanted or Death Certificate for the first time in 2010, it's done its job.

See all 8 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 6
  3. Negative: 0 out of 6
  1. koolaidkilla
    Sep 28, 2010
    10
    not cube's best but One of the best of the year Drink the koolaid is probably the best song it needed to be at lest 150 characters long.not cube's best but One of the best of the year Drink the koolaid is probably the best song it needed to be at lest 150 characters long. its good… Expand
  2. JacksonMan8889
    Dec 24, 2022
    10
    An exemplary Ice Cube album, its a perfect rap album in every way. Drink The Kool-Aid is a legendary and timeless track.
  4. AnalDuck69
    Apr 6, 2012
    9
    This is one of the coolest album from ice cube. It only reached 22 th place in Billboard 200 list with 22 000 songs in album sold. Album wereThis is one of the coolest album from ice cube. It only reached 22 th place in Billboard 200 list with 22 000 songs in album sold. Album were sold 44 000 in 7 th november 2010. Some f the tracks in album are bit of lame, but most of theme are good.… Expand
  5. Eciti
    Oct 28, 2011
    9
    Not the best his album. There are several weak tracks, but still has something to say. The main problem is weak beats. Ice Cube still Rep that West!!!
  6. Matsoni93
    Jan 23, 2015
    9
    This is an album of strong beats and moments, and it's full of solid songs, I especially enjoy Fat Cat, Soul on Ice, I rep that West, NothingThis is an album of strong beats and moments, and it's full of solid songs, I especially enjoy Fat Cat, Soul on Ice, I rep that West, Nothing like L.A. And Life in California.… Expand
  7. Urbanlistener
    Oct 6, 2015
    8
    Good album, pretty good beats, still a lot of lyrical anger and a flow that never gets old or tired. Small mistakes here and there, butGood album, pretty good beats, still a lot of lyrical anger and a flow that never gets old or tired. Small mistakes here and there, but overall this is a strong album, Cube still rep the West.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

59
#59 Most Shared Album of 2010

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