Ice Cube is not a fan of Tupac’s Hit ‘Em Up, explaining that Shakur needed help to deliver the classic diss record.
Promoting his BIG3 basketball league, Ice Cube continued his media run as he appeared on DJ Whoo Kid’s podcast. During the interview, the west coast legend was asked about The Root‘s Top 15 Greatest Diss Records of All Time list. A list which had Cube at number three with his 1991 diss record, No Vaseline.
Cube, who was not aware of the list, was instantly taken back when host DJ Whoo Kid said he owned the number three spot on the list. Cube immediately asked who was number one, and again was clearly annoyed at The Root‘s decision to place Tupac at the very top.
“How’s Tupac number one when he needed help on that record. Me, ‘No Vaseline,’ one MC,” argued Ice Cube.
Featuring the Outlawz, Tupac’s 1996 diss record was aimed at Biggie Smalls, Bad Boy records and anyone who sided with them. Although Tupac did feature his rap group the Outlawz, Shakur clearly did not need any help as he dropped two legendary verses, with an intro and outro that till this day is unmatched.
Coming in at number two was Nas’ 2001 Jay-Z diss record, Ether. “I love Nas but it’s not,” Cube said referring to the Queens rapper owning the second spot on the top 15 list. “One motherf***er, me. Took out four n***as and the manager. I mean, damn! Got to give me credit for that. Group was over. I don’t know if they made another record after that. Nah man, sorry.”
Cube’s Vaseline took aim at his former N.W.A groupmates Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella, as well as their manager, Jerry Heller.
Ice Cube at No. 3 on The Root’s Greatest Diss Record of All Time List
- Tupac – Hit ‘Em Up
- Nas- Ether
- Ice Cube – No Vaseline
- Eazy-E – “Real Muthaphuckkin G’s”
- Jay-Z – “Takeover”
- Dr. Dre – “F*** Wit Dre Day (And Everybody’s Celebratin’)
- Pusha T – “Story of Adidon”
- Drake – “Back to Back”
- Common – “The B**** In Yoo”
- Gucci Mane – “Truth”
- 50 Cent – “Back Down”
- Notorious B.I.G. – “Kick in the Door”
- Boogie Down Productions – “The Bridge is Over”
- LL Cool J – “To Da Break of Dawn”
- DJ Quik – “Dollaz + Sense”
Ice Cube wasn’t alone in disagreeing with The Root‘s top 15 list. DJ Quik also chimed in via Twitter as he tweeted, “Why is this even a discussion.”
This wouldn’t be the first time Ice Cube showed his displeasure with Tupac’s classic diss record. Speaking to host Rob Markman for Genius back in 2019, Cube gave another reason as to why Tupac’s Hit ‘Em Up is not the greatest diss record of all time.
“I think he went too far. If I’m mad at you, trust me, I could think of five verses for just you. I don’t have to go at your family, your kids, your whole life. It’s one on one mano a mano in a way,” Cube explained.
