No Vaseline

"No Vaseline"
Song by Ice Cube
from the album Death Certificate
ReleasedOctober 29, 1991
Recorded1991
Genre
Length
  • 5:13 (album version)
  • 4:05 (edited version)
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)

"No Vaseline" is a diss track written and recorded by American rapper Ice Cube. It was released on October 31, 1991, through Lench Mob Records and Priority Records, amidst his feud with his former group N.W.A. The song serves as the twentieth song on Cube's Death Certificate (1991).[3] It is Cube's response to several diss tracks N.W.A. released after his departure from the group.

Produced by Ice Cube himself and Sir Jinx, with samples from Brick's "Dazz" and The Average White Band's "Humpin'", "No Vaseline" is a West Coast hip hop track characterized by its aggressive delivery and raw, unapologetic lyrics. The track accused N.W.A. members, particularly Eazy-E and their manager Jerry Heller, of exploiting Cube and the group for financial gain. Cube also ridiculed Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella, stating that they had sold out to the industry's corporate interests.[3]

"No Vaseline" was met with widespread acclaim from music critics, who praised it for its sharp lyricism and viciousness. The UK release of Death Certificate omitted this song, along with the 46-second long "Black Korea".[4]

  1. ^ "The 30 best G-Funk tracks of all time". Fact Magazine. July 26, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2021.
  2. ^ a b "The D.O.C. Speaks On "No Vaseline" & His Friendship w/ Ice Cube". YouTube. November 13, 2015. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Pareles, Jon (December 8, 1991). "POP VIEW; Should Ice Cube's Voice Be Chilled?". The New York Times.
  4. ^ "Death Certificate controversy". Rockrap.com. January 1992. Archived from the original on April 1, 2011. Retrieved September 14, 2007.