Originally published 10/7/2025 on Rollingout
“From the center of the stage, Ice Cube rose with his signature scowl, microphone in hand. Without a word, the opening beat of “F*** tha Police” hit like a lightningstrike. The crowd erupted as Cube launched straight into the N.W.A. classic, his delivery still razor-sharp, his voice cutting through decades of history and defiance. The song that once shook the nation still felt as urgent and alive as it did in 1988. Thousands of fans screamed every lyric back to him, fists raised high.”
Review: Ice Cube at the United Center – Four Decades of Hip-Hop Royalty
On a warm, rainy night in Chicago on October 6, 2025, the United Center pulsed with energy as fans filled the arena in black White Sox caps and N.W.A. shirts to see Ice Cube’s “Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude” tour. The building was packed with fans ready to pay homage to one of the culture’s most enduring architects. For over four decades, Ice Cube has been many things: a gangsta rapper, a revolutionary, a movie mogul, and the founder of the Big3. On this night, he was all of them. His concert unfolded like a documentary in motion, telling the story of his evolution through sound, image, and conviction.
Before Ice Cube even appeared, the massive white stage curtain became a canvas. The video for “Before Hip Hop” played across it, showing clips from Cube’s early days, flashes of Los Angeles streets, and moments that shaped him as both artist and man. When the video faded, the lights dropped, and the curtain lifted. From the center of the stage, Ice Cube rose with his signature scowl, microphone in hand. Without a word, the opening beat of “F*** tha Police” hit like a lightning strike. The crowd erupted as Cube launched straight into the N.W.A. classic, his delivery still razor-sharp, his voice cutting through decades of history and defiance. The song that once shook the nation still felt as urgent and alive as it did in 1988. Thousands of fans screamed every lyric back to him, fists raised high.
From there, Cube pivoted into “Dopeman,” another throwback to his early days with N.W.A., the track that announced him as both storyteller and street reporter. The performance was tight and unapologetic, raw with the edge that defined West Coast rap’s foundation. His voice carried the same weight it always has: authority, grit, and conviction.
Midway through the set, Ice Cube surprised the crowd by bringing out Lil Eazy-E, the son of his late friend and N.W.A. co-founder. Together they performed “Boyz-n-the-Hood,” and the moment hit deep. The younger Eazy mirrored his father’s cadence while Cube rapped beside him, nodding in respect.
Throughout the show, Cube moved effortlessly between eras of his career. He performed “Check Yo Self” and “You Know How We Do It” with the ease of a master craftsman, then jumped into “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It,” a reminder of how his social commentary has always been intertwined with his art.
His stage presence never wavered. His energy was deliberate, his performance grounded, his message consistent: never compromise your voice.
As the night built toward its climax, Cube leaned into his biggest hit “It Was a Good Day” that sealed the night. The audience sang every word, the beat echoing across the building like a victory lap. The song, with its laid-back groove and reflective tone. It was a reminder that despite everything Cube has done outside music, his foundation will always be Hip-Hop.
