The Official 'Ice Cube Doesn't Get The Credit He Deserves' Thread

[Soulflower]

Originally Posted by Forward To Death

My parents don't know the first thing about hip-hop. My dad likes Afroman for the album that has "Because I Got High" on it.... They both can identify Ice Cube by his face, voice and that he's a rapper.

Like I said, I don't think I actually know someone who hasn't at least heard of Ice Cube. I haven't asked all of them, but the point is that I know a lot of people who do know who he is, many of them aren't even fans, some of them haven't even heard his music. He is very influential, and a lot of people know who he is. I think that's a much better argument for him being rated properly than "Google search has millions of hits on 'ice cube is underrated'" is for him being underrated. That's just me, though.

I mentioned the Google results to show that this is a debate and issue that is raised and discussed... not necessarily to justify my opinion. People implied my question and perspectives on Ice Cube were taboo but the Google results show that many others raise the same question about Ice Cube.

People may know the name Ice Cube but do they know his impact on the hip hop genre? Have they listened to his songs?

[Forward To Death]

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

It's a bit subjective I guess, I mean:



Depends which demographic you asked. I would say a household name would be known amongst all age groups and people who have an interest in that person's field or not, which wouldn't be the case for Ice Cube imo. If I asked my parents if they had heard of him I know for a fact they'd say no. But Di Caprio/Will Smith/Angelina Jolie in movies they definitely would. They would know who Jay-Z is too, maybe not Kanye West.

Another definition is that you're simply well-known. IMO, your definition doesn't leave a whole lot of grey area. You have to meet certain, specific guidelines that are, frankly, unreasonable. Being known by all age groups regardless of their interest in music or not implies that you're known by everyone, and in the grand scheme of things, there are 7 billion people who live on this planet. Some of them have no concept of music, some of them don't have access to radio or television, and even Lady Gaga may not even be considered a "household name" by your definition.

My definition I think is very simple, but sets a standard that you're compared relative to everyone else. I think it means that anyone who's in the public eye, someone who you've heard of but don't know personally more or less, is a household name. I think that's pretty fair, and I think Ice Cube meets that standard without question. He has 5.3M likes on Facebook, which might not be a lot amongst some other major players in music, but is still a very high number.

[Forward To Death]

Originally Posted by realtalk92

I mentioned the Google results to show that this is a debate and issue that is raised and discussed... not necessarily to justify my opinion. People implied my question and perspectives on Ice Cube were taboo but the Google results show that many others raise the same question about Ice Cube.

People may know the name Ice Cube but do they know his impact on the hip hop genre? Have they listened to his songs?

Do they know the impact Justin Timberlake has had on the pop genre? I don't get what you're trying to sell me, are you trying to debate whether Ice Cube is considered to have been impactful on the hip-hop industry, or whether or not he's well-known?

[Cuthbert]

Originally Posted by Forward To Death

Another definition is that you're simply well-known.

But I'm well known on my road. Am I a household name?

lol, I know what you're saying, but I'm not arguing against him being well known in Hip-Hop, I'm saying in general, in this country. He is not at that level that Jay-Z, Beyonce, Lady Gaga are at. They are real household names.

IMO, your definition doesn't leave a whole lot of grey area. You have to meet certain, specific guidelines that are, frankly, unreasonable. Being known by all age groups regardless of their interest in music or not implies that you're known by everyone, and in the grand scheme of things, there are 7 billion people who live on this planet. Some of them have no concept of music, some of them don't have access to radio or television, and even Lady Gaga may not even be considered a "household name" by your definition.

I'm not talking about imams in caves in Afghanistan or tribes in the Amazon, they are excluded. I mean western society & in particular Britain which is where I live. Ice Cube would be well known with Hip-Hop fans & people between roughly 16-35.

People I consider to be genuine household names would be known amongst pretty much everyone, here.

My definition I think is very simple, but sets a standard that you're compared relative to everyone else. I think it means that anyone who's in the public eye, someone who you've heard of but don't know personally more or less, is a household name. I think that's pretty fair, and I think Ice Cube meets that standard without question. He has 5.3M likes on Facebook, which might not be a lot amongst some other major players in music, but is still a very high number.

I would say a Hip-Hop household name but not a general one.

Anyway I can't be bothered to discuss this any more cos it's starting to go round in circles.

Also the phrase 'household name' is repeating in my head now like a ringing sound and it's starting to irritate me.

[Soulflower]

Originally Posted by Forward To Death

Do they know the impact Justin Timberlake has had on the pop genre? I don't get what you're trying to sell me, are you trying to debate whether Ice Cube is considered to have been impactful on the hip-hop industry, or whether or not he's well-known?

He has not made a significant impact on the pop genre. He is just another pop star.

Unlike Justin Timberlake, Ice Cube is not just another late 80's/early 90's rapper.

He played a significant role in creating the gangsta rap sub genre and just pioneering the hip hop genre overall. I think his contributions in the hip hop world could be acknowledged by the industry more because of the significant role he played.

[djchameleon]

Originally Posted by realtalk92

Well Hip Hop is a youth oriented genre so I think going lower is not that far a stretch.

I do not think this has anything to do with rebelling.

I think this is a case of children's exposure and lack of exposure to certain artists that were before their time.

It is not rational to conclude that all teenagers rebel and therefore all teenagers listen to music before their time.

How do you know that?

If we would to go off of your argument... how would you be able to tell that a teen that likes Slick Rick likes him because he is rebelling against mainstream music and not because he or she parents exposed them to Slick Rick?

The same way that you aren't able to prove that the only way a teen will know about artists before their time comes strictly from their parents. Both situations are hypothetical. You don't know that it only comes from their parents. I feel like you are basing this analysis only from your own personal experiences.

Originally Posted by realtalk92

Age does matter because age reflects music taste and interests although of course their are exceptions if you had parents/caregivers that exposed you to different music when you were a kid

The average 13 year old does not listen to 10-20 year old artists before their time unless you are cultural figures like MJ or Elvis where the music is just so easily accessible there is just no escaping it.

The only old rappers that I can think that a 13 year old might possibly be knowledgeable of is 2pac and Biggie but then again that is not a 100% guarantee. They might know who they are but not much on their music.

I don't completely disagree with this but my disagreement comes from the other end of the spectrum because you mentioned 13-25.

Teens and Young Adults know Ice Cube.

[Soulflower]

Originally Posted by djchameleon

The same way that you aren't able to prove that the only way a teen will know about artists before their time comes strictly from their parents. Both situations are hypothetical. You don't know that it only comes from their parents. I feel like you are basing this analysis only from your own personal experiences.

I didn't say that was the ONLY way. I just suggested the most likely to occur circumstance.

Is it possible that a 13 year old can take it upon themselves to research about Ice Cube on their own?

Yes

Because that is what I did after getting a good foundation.

However,

The influence of parents and caregivers have a more stronger overall impact on children. We mimic what our parents do and like because they are the first models we see and are constantly around. They are the reason why we are the way we are and have a influence on our interests especially as children.

Originally Posted by djchameleon

Teens and Young Adults know Ice Cube.

I do not think they are aware of the tremendous impact he has made though and they might know of him but that does not mean they know he is a hip hop pioneer.

[djchameleon]

Originally Posted by realtalk92

The influence of parents and caregivers have a more stronger overall impact on children. We mimic what our parents do and like because they are the first models we see and are constantly around. They are the reason why we are the way we are and have a influence on our interests especially as children.

This line of reasoning is also the reason why teens shy away from certain artists that their parents listen to because they want to distance themselves from those interests and that influence.

[Soulflower]

Originally Posted by djchameleon

This line of reasoning is also the reason why teens shy away from certain artists that their parents listen to because they want to distance themselves from those interests and that influence.

That is also very true.


but regardless whether it influences children negatively or positively. What their parents choose to expose them to does affect their interests and their choices which was my overall point.

[Forward To Death]

Originally Posted by Christian Benteke

But I'm well known on my road. Am I a household name?

lol, I know what you're saying, but I'm not arguing against him being well known in Hip-Hop, I'm saying in general, in this country. He is not at that level that Jay-Z, Beyonce, Lady Gaga are at. They are real household names.

In the context of the world, no, you definitely aren't. Your point isn't even applicable here.

So you're pretty in touch with the pulse of the country, I take it? Maybe it is significantly different from America, but I'd say someone who has 5.3M likes on FB is pretty popular in general.

I'm not talking about imams in caves in Afghanistan or tribes in the Amazon, they are excluded. I mean western society & in particular Britain which is where I live. Ice Cube would be well known with Hip-Hop fans & people between roughly 16-35.

People I consider to be genuine household names would be known amongst pretty much everyone, here.

And how to you suppose you could come up with this figure? Sounds like a major pain in the ass. Again, it's your definition, it's always going to leave you (and your argument) back pedaling, because you're blowing smoke up my ass that you'll never be able to prove, and I can't disprove because it's BS. Sorry to be that blunt, but it's absolutely true.

My definition essentially says to compare the person to the rest of the world. I'd say that Ice Cube is likely in the upper 5% of the world in terms of popularity, perhaps even in the upper 1%, I'm too lazy to actually do the work, but when I think of all of the celebrities in the world and compare them to the 7 billion people in the world, I'd think celebrities in general are in the upper 1% in notoriety. One could conclude that this makes them a household name, and there would be a pretty good argument for it.

I would say a Hip-Hop household name but not a general one.

Anyway I can't be bothered to discuss this any more cos it's starting to go round in circles.

Also the phrase 'household name' is repeating in my head now like a ringing sound and it's starting to irritate me.

What's the difference between a hip-hop household name? There's hip-hop households? That sounds like a fantastic band name, The Hip-Hop Household, quite the little alliteration.