Thirty-four years ago, Ice Cube released Kill At Will, a blistering follow-up to his landmark debut album, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted. As an EP, it’s a concise yet potent project that not only cemented Cube’s reputation as a pioneering solo artist but also showcased his ability to blend storytelling, social commentary, and unrelenting aggression.
Clocking in at just under 25 minutes, Kill At Will serves as both an extension of his debut’s themes and a standalone statement. The EP begins with “Endangered Species (Tales From the Darkside),” a hard-hitting collaboration with Chuck D of Public Enemy. The track tackles systemic violence, police brutality, and the precarious position of Black lives in America—a message as relevant today as it was in 1990. Cube’s verses are sharp, unflinching, and filled with urgency, while Chuck D’s presence reinforces the weight of its message.
Another standout is “Dead Homiez,” a somber reflection on the cycle of violence in South Central Los Angeles. Cube adopts a mournful tone as he pays homage …