Ice Cube - Death Certificate - Vinyl LP

Released in 1991, Death Certificate is a bold, incendiary, and deeply political album that cemented Ice Cube’s status as one of hip-hop’s most fearless and uncompromising voices. Split into two halves—“The Death Side” and “The Life Side”—the record is both a scathing critique of systemic racism, poverty, and police brutality, and a call for Black empowerment and self-determination. Musically, it leans heavily into funk-driven beats crafted by The Boogiemen and Sir Jinx, giving it a rich, West Coast bounce while retaining an aggressive edge.

Cube’s lyrics are confrontational, poetic, and brutally honest. He spares no one in his crosshairs—government, media, rival rappers, and even his own community—holding up a mirror to America’s racial divisions. From the haunting storytelling of “A Bird in the Hand” to the explosive “No Vaseline,” this is an album that still provokes and resonates. Death Certificate remains one of the most vital and controversial statements in hip-hop history.