Ice Cube Concert Review Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne 9 March 2025
Summary: ... LEGEND ... wait for it... DARY!
5
You are now about to witness a hip hop legend!
Last night, Sidney Myer Music Bowl exploded into life as a hip hop legend showed us just what real rap music is all about. None other than Ice Cube, yes that Ice Cube was in town with a show that I think I will remember the rest of my days.
I saw Cube in ’23 for The Predator Anniversary tour and was blown away back then. I’ve been a fan of Cube since NWA burst onto the scene, and before you try to do the math, I’m 52 and this guy is 55. Don’t let age fool you for a second. This was an all ages show and despite the fact that Cube was and remains to be one of the hardest emcees in the game it had the feeling of a family friendly show. I also think the beautiful Sidney Myer Music Bowl lends itself to that with lawn areas for punters to lay down blankets, to the terrace seating and up high the balconies. I was lucky enough to be in the seated section and so close to the stage it felt like a personal performance.
Cube’s opening act was an Aussie rapper by the name of B Wise who performed a fantastic 30-40 set. He got the crowd hyped up for Cube and held us in the palm of his hand. This is an emcee that I need to check out more; this was the first time I had seen him or even heard him for that matter and his manner with the crowd was friendly and respectful. A solid short set and then a short break it was time to get it on.
Rising from the back of the stage Ice Cube controlled the crowd from the beginning to the very end of the concert. Despite the fact his most recent album Man Down has done really well, Cube gave the crowd what they wanted; a massive greatest hits performance covering songs from his solo career, including NWA diss No Vaseline. This is a concert review so go look up Ice Cube / NWA diss tracks online. You’ll be amazed.
As was the case with Cube’s tour in 2023, WC (Dub Cee) was the man on point for Cube and he kept the crowd and Cube going. Part of Ice Cube’s West Coast Connection group (make sure you check that stuff out), WC is a force of nature and it is no small feat that as Cube’s second, he also has to know every single song in Ice Cube’s substantial catalogue.
Nothing was held back as Cube belted out banger after banger on our journey through his career. Each song a testament to his prowess as a lyricist, Cube is responsible for some of the most influential hip hop songs ever written (at least in my opinion), in the Gangsta rap genre.
For me personally highlights were the older songs mainly and the crowd went NUTS when Cube asked WC to be a witness. To Witness what?
“You are now about to witness the strength of street knowledge,” came back the reply from Dr Dre as Cube smashed out his part from Straight Outta Compton. The audience went utterly crazy and over the new few songs I literally lost my voice singing along to
Straight Outta Compton
Gangsta Gangsta
F#ck the Police
Dopeman
And many others.
Going through his catalogue as the legend rapped his latest and greatest made me realise just how much of an influence Ice Cube has had on me for well over 30 plus years now. He has the hardest voice in hip hop and when he rhymes you believe what he says. It was such an amazing journey for me at a brilliant venue and I could see on the happy yet exhausted faces of those around me that this was a concert they will remember for a very long time.
Ice Cube continues to be an inspiration for anyone chasing a dream and shared that success with us all last night, and I was blessed to be there.
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