Before Hip-Hop
Comment: Does not appear to meet WP:NSONG. The cited sources are the artist's own website, PR reposts, user-generated databases, and blog reviews without established editorial reputations. Balabush (talk) 03:13, 2 August 2026 (UTC)
| Before Hip-Hop | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 📅 Released | September 5th, 2025 | |||
| 🎙️ Recorded | 2025 | |||
| ⏳ Length | 3:50 | |||
| 🏷️ Label | Lench Mob Records | |||
| 🤑 Producer | HallWay Productionz & Gavin Finn | |||
| Ice Cube chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Before Hip-Hop" Video on YouTube | ||||
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Buy this album Before Hip-Hop or listen to it on amazon
"Before Hip-Hop" Is a Single by American Rapper Ice Cube.[1] The song was released on his 12th album "Man Up" and released as the Lead Single for Man Up on September 5th, 2025, 6 days before the album released.[2] The single was released via Lench Mob Records/Hitmaker Distribution. It Was written by Ice Cube, and production was handled by HallWay Productionz including Gavin Finn.
Backstory
The Song is meant to be a demonstration of what life was before Hip-Hop music and how hip-hop didn't start Crime, also to dispel the Misinformed narrative that blames hip-hop for all the crime and Violence in today's sociality. It Reflects on Crime that happen before hip-hop was a genre. Before Hip-Hop Sets the theme and sound of his upcoming Album Man Up. [2]
Music Video
The song was accompanied by a Music Video directed by American Director Gabriel Hart.[3] The Music Video shows the era around the 1960s-1970s and archival footage, street visuals, and performance shots of Ice Cube.[4]
Versions
Ice Cube remixed the song and featured two artists LL Cool J & Chuck D. The track was titled "Before Hip-Hop Premix" and released on October 10th, 2025.[5]
Critical reception
Hip-Hopdrops states that "“Before Hip Hop” by Ice Cube is a straight-up throwback that smacks with that ’90s boom bap energy. Whether you’re a day-one fan or new to the scene, this joint’s got that timeless vibe. Cube’s still out here teaching the youngins how it’s done."[6] RGM reflects on the song as "“Before Hip-Hop” hits with a mean-ass beat that oozes nostalgic California vibes. It’s the kind of production you’d swear was pulled straight from a 2000s West Coast movie soundtrack. Cube matches the vibe with his own old-school flair, rapping with a concise delivery, heavy Cali accent, and undeniable authority."[7]
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Hip-Hopdroms |   |
| RGM |  |
Tracklisting
| Original Single | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Before Hip-Hop" | O'Shea Jackson | HallWay Productionz & Gavin Finn | 3:50 |
| Remix Single | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
| 1. | "Before Hip-Hop Premix" (Featuring LL Cool J & Chuck D) | O'Shea Jackson | HallWay Productionz | 5:12 |
References
- ↑ "Ice Cube discography", Wikipedia, 2026-07-13, retrieved 2026-08-02
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 DDSocial (2025-09-05). "Cube aims to dispel the misinformed narrative that blames hip hop for our community's problems. The single, a powerful tool in correcting these misconceptions, lays bare the real history of systemic injustice and violence that long predates the genre". Ice Cube. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ Grant, Shawn (2025-09-06). "The single, accompanied by a video directed by Gabriel Hart (Video GOD)". Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ "Ice Cube – 'Before Hip Hop' - Ice Cube Unveils Powerful New rap video "Before Hip Hop"". 2025-09-05. Retrieved 2026-08-01.
- ↑ "Ice Cube Releases "Before Hip Hop (Premix)," Explosive Collab With LL COOL J and Chuck D. - "I've seen people try to rewrite history and blame hip hop for everything wrong in the world," says Ice Cube". 2025-10-06. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ Staff (2025-09-05). "Ice Cube - Before Hip Hop". HipHopDrops.com. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
- ↑ Quincy (2025-09-05). "Ice Cube Drops Nostalgic West Coast Anthem "Before Hip-Hop"". RGM. Retrieved 2026-08-02.
See Also
This article "Before Hip-Hop" is from Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Before Hip-Hop. Articles copied from Draft Namespace on Wikipedia could be seen on the Draft Namespace of Wikipedia and not main one.
