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Ice Cube Claims "No Vaseline" Is a Better Diss Track Than Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" and Nas' "Ether"

Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us" has gained significant recognition as one of the best diss tracks in recent memory. 

However, in the broader debate about the greatest diss tracks of all time, Ice Cube, along with many veteran hip hop enthusiasts has his own strong opinions.

• Related Stories: Ice Cube Claims "No Vaseline" Is a Better Diss Track Than "Hit Em Up"

In recently surfaced concert footage (May 28), Ice Cube, the mastermind behind AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, asserted that his track is superior. Addressing the crowd, he said:

[People say] Tupac [Shakur’s ‘Hit ‘Em Up’], but it’s not. ‘Nah, Cube, hold on, it’s Nas with ‘Ether.’’ I love Nas, but it’s not. Maybe it’s Kendrick Lamar now. Maybe it’s him. I love those songs, but ‘No Vaseline’ is the best diss song in the history of hip hop.

”
- Ice Cube

Ice Cube elaborated on why his 1991 release stands above others:

One emcee, myself, I took out four motherf**kers and the manager. You can’t beat that. We did that over 30 years ago. So, as it stands today, I got nothing but love for N.W.A.

”
- Ice Cube

Ice Cube Asserts "No Vaseline" is Better Than Kendrick Lamar's Drake Diss Tracks

Ice Cube insists "No Vaseline" is better than Kendrick Lamar's "Not Like Us," 2Pac's "Hit Em Up" and Nas' "Ether."

"I took out four muthaf**kas and the manager. You can't beat that."

pic.twitter.com/BkCvpoYYWZ

— WhatsOnRap (@WhatsOnRap__) May 28, 2024

“No Vaseline” appeared on Ice Cube’s iconic album, Death Certificate, and was a scathing response to N.W.A’s perceived attacks on tracks like “Message To B.A.” and “Real N**gaz.” 

The diss track stemmed from Ice Cube’s departure from the West Coast group due to financial disputes, which he attributed to manager Jerry Heller.

In “No Vaseline,” Ice Cube didn’t hold back: "Half pint b**ch, f**king your homeboys, you little maggot/ Eazy-E turned f**got/ With your manager, fella/ F**king MC Ren, Dr. Dre, and Yella/ But if they were smart as me/ Eazy-E would be hanging from a tree,” he rapped, displaying his lyrical ferocity.

On the other hand, Kendrick Lamar’s “Not Like Us” also delivers powerful blows. 

In this track, Lamar notoriously accused Drake of inappropriate behavior and referenced legal issues involving OVO Sound signee Baka Not Nice. 

The track’s cover art even featured Drake’s Toronto mansion marked with symbols reminiscent of those used in predator locator apps, further adding to its shock value.

While both tracks have left a lasting impact on the hip hop community, Ice Cube’s “No Vaseline” is revered for its historical context and aggressive takedown of his former group. 

The debate over the greatest diss track in hip hop continues, but Ice Cube’s confidence in his own work remains unshaken.

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