"Wicked" is a song written and performed by American rappers
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and film producer. His lyrics on N.W.A's 1989 album '' Straight Outta Compton'' contributed to gangsta rap's widespread popu ...
and Don Jagwarr. It was released on October 16, 1992 via
Priority Records
Priority Records is an American distribution company and record label known for artists including N.W.A, Ice Cube, MC Ren, Eazy-E, Master P, Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Silkk the Shocker, Jay-Z, Paris, Mack 10, 504 Boyz, Brotha Lynch Hung, ...
as the
lead single from the former's third solo studio album ''
The Predator''. Recorded at Echo Sound in Glendale, it was produced by Torcha Chamba and Ice Cube himself, who utilized samples from the
Ohio Players
Ohio Players are an American funk band, most popular in the 1970s. They are best known for their songs "Fire" and " Love Rollercoaster", and for their erotic album covers that featured nude or nearly nude women. Many of the women were models f ...
' "
Funky Worm",
Public Enemy
Public Enemy is an American Hip-hop, hip hop group formed in Roosevelt, New York, in 1985 by Chuck D and Flavor Flav. The group rose to prominence for their political messages including subjects such as Racism in the United States, American r ...
's "
Welcome to the Terrordome" and "
Can't Truss It", and
Das EFX's "Looseys".
The song marks Ice Cube's first single to enter the
''Billboard'' Hot 100, peaking at number 55. On March 23, 1993, the single went certified gold by the
Recording Industry Association of America
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is a trade organization that represents the music recording industry in the United States. Its members consist of record labels and distributors that the RIAA says "create, manufacture, and/o ...
for selling 500,000 copies in the US alone.
An accompanying
music video
A music video is a video that integrates a song or an album with imagery that is produced for promotion (marketing), promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device intended to ...
was directed by
Marcus Raboy starring
Anthony Kiedis and
Michael "Flea" Balzary of the
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Hot Chili Peppers are an American rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1982, consisting of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (musician), Flea (bass), John Frusciante (guitar), and Chad Smith (drums). Their music incorporates elements of a ...
.
Cover versions
In 1996, the song was covered by Calla Destra for the
electro-industrial
Electro-industrial is a music genre that emerged from industrial music in the early 1980s. While EBM (electronic body music) has a minimal structure and clean production, electro-industrial tends to have a grittier, complex and layered sound ...
various artists compilation ''
Operation Beatbox''.
The song was covered by
KoЯn for their 1996 album ''
Life Is Peachy''. This version features
Deftones lead singer
Chino Moreno and contrasts from Ice Cube's version with
scat-like vocals from
Jonathan Davis in the chorus. This would be the first of four KoЯn songs involving Ice Cube (and vice versa); the others being "Children of the Korn", "Fuck Dying" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go".
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American nu metal band from Jacksonville, Florida. Its lineup consists of lead vocalist Fred Durst, drummer John Otto (drummer), John Otto, guitarist Wes Borland, turntablist DJ Lethal and bassist Sam Rivers (bassist), Sam ...
has also covered the song in concert,
while KoЯn have performed this song live on several occasions with Deftones frontman Chino Moreno, Limp Bizkit frontman
Fred Durst and Ice Cube himself (along with "Children of the Korn").
Track listing
Personnel
*O'Shea "
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and film producer. His lyrics on N.W.A's 1989 album '' Straight Outta Compton'' contributed to gangsta rap's widespread popu ...
" Jackson – lyrics, vocals, producer
(tracks: 1, 2, 5), executive producer
*Duane "Don Jagwarr" Earle – lyrics & vocals
(tracks: 1, 5)
*Torcha Chamba – producers & mixing
(tracks: 1, 2, 5)
*Jesse "Mr. Woody" Stubblefield – producer & mixing
(tracks: 3, 4)
*Mark "
DJ Pooh" Jordan – mixing
(tracks: 1, 2, 5)
Charts
Certifications
References
External links
*
{{Authority control
1992 songs
1992 singles
Ice Cube songs
Priority Records singles
Songs written by Ice Cube
Music videos directed by Marcus Raboy