Lethal Injection (album)

For the execution method, see lethal injection.

Lethal Injection
Studio album by Ice Cube
Released	December 7, 1993
Recorded	1992-1993
Genre	West Coast hip hop, gangsta rap, g-funk
Length	56:21
Label	Priority
Producer	QDIII, Madness 4 Real, Sir Jinx, Ice Cube
Ice Cube chronology
The Predator (1992) Lethal Injection (1993) War & Peace Vol. 1 (1998)

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
The Austin Chronicle
Entertainment Weekly	(B)
Los Angeles Times
Robert Christgau
Rolling Stone

Lethal Injection is the fourth studio album by California-based rapper Ice Cube. Similar to the rapper's previous albums, it was a commercial hit, debuting at #5 on the Billboard 200 with 215,000 copies sold in its first week. However, it was heavily criticized for what many saw as Cube's pandering to gangsta rap, and toning down of the socio-political content found on his earlier efforts. The album's standing has increased over time. It includes the popular singles; "You Know How We Do It", and the Funkadelic-sampling "Bop Gun (One Nation)", which became a staple on MTV.

Overview

Lethal Injection saw Ice Cube depart somewhat from social and political issues, which he was well known for in his three previous albums, and embrace a more gangsta-oriented aura. Several songs do, however, contain social topics, such as the scathing "Cave Bitch", on which Cube chastises white women who pursue successful black men as a trophy, and the Louis Farrakhan-influenced "Enemy". On "Lil' Ass Gee" he tells the tale of an adolescent who follows his older brother into a life of petty crime and little hope. Ice Cube's expresses his own opinion on religion and race on the controversial "When I Get to Heaven." The track "Ghetto Bird" was produced by QD3, son of legendary producer Quincy Jones. "Ghetto Bird" is street slang for a police helicopter, and the song tells a story of police harassment.

With its use of whiney synthesizers, crispier drums, and deeper bass, the album leans more towards the G-Funk sound, rather than the dense, rugged soundscapes of his previous albums. This conscious decision to head towards a glossier sound was no doubt due to the impact of The Chronic, and Doggystyle, both produced by Cube's former bandmate, Dr. Dre. Lethal Injection saw four singles in total, including the George Clinton collaboration "Bop Gun", which reached #22 in the UK Charts and #23 in the Billboards. Album cover photography and portraits of Ice Cube and his son were taken by photographer Daniel Arsenault.

In 1999, the track "Down for Whatever" appeared in a scene in the movie Office Space.

Track listing

• Original Release

1. "The Shot (Intro)" - (0:55) (Produced by Sir Jinx)
2. "Really Doe" - (4:28) (Produced by Derrick McDowell, Lay Law)
3. "Ghetto Bird" - (3:50) (Produced by QDIII)
4. "You Know How We Do It" - (3:52) (Produced by QDIII)
5. "Cave Bitch" - (4:18) (Produced by Brian G)
6. "Bop Gun (One Nation)" (featuring George Clinton) - (11:17) (Produced by Ice Cube, QDIII)
7. "What Can I Do?" - (4:10) (Produced by 88 X Unit)
8. "Lil Ass Gee" - (4:04) (Produced by Sir Jinx)
9. "Make It Ruff, Make It Smooth" (featuring K-Dee) - (4:23) (Produced by QDIII)
10. "Down for Whatever" - (4:40) (Produced by Madness 4 Real)
11. "Enemy" - (4:50) (Produced by Madness 4 Real)
12. "When I Get to Heaven" - (5:04) (Produced by Brian G)

2003 reissue bonus tracks

1. "What Can I Do? (Westside Remix)" - (4:27)*
2. "What Can I Do? (East Side Remix)" - (4:46)*
3. "You Know How We Do It (Remix)" - (4:23)*
4. "Lil' Ass Gee (Eerie Gumbo Remix)" -(5:21)*

Partial list of samples

Really Doe "Intro from the Film: American Me"

• "You Gotta Believe" by The Pointer Sisters
• "Lick the Balls" by Slick Rick

You Know How We Do It

• "The Show Is Over" by Evelyn King
• "All Night Long" by Mary Jane Girls
• "Summer Madness" by Kool & The Gang

Bop Gun (One Nation)

• "One Nation Under A Groove" by Funkadelic

Lil' Ass Gee

• "La Di Da Di" by Slick Rick, and Doug E. Fresh

When I Get to Heaven

• "Inner City Blues" by Marvin Gaye

Ghetto Bird

• "Atomic Dog" by George Clinton

Cave Bitch

• "Horny Lil Devil" by Ice Cube

Album singles

"Really Doe"

• Released: 1993
• B-side: "My Skin Is My Sin"

"You Know How We Do It"

• Released: February, 1994
• B-side: "2 'N The Morning"

"Bop Gun (One Nation)"'

• Released: August, 1994
• B-side: "Down For Whatever"

Album chart positions

Year	Album	Chart positions
		Billboard 200	Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums
1993	Lethal Injection	#5	#1

Singles chart positions

Year	Song	Chart positions
		Billboard Hot 100	Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks	Hot Rap Singles
1993	"Really Doe"	#54	#30	#3
1994	"You Know How We Do It"	#30	#21	#5
1994	"Bop Gun (One Nation)"	#23	#37	#6

See also

• List of number-one albums of 1993 (U.S.)