Wicked (Ice Cube song)

"Wicked"
Single by Ice Cube featuring Don Jagwarr
from the album The Predator
ReleasedNovember 3, 1992
Recorded1992
Genre
Length3:55
LabelPriority
Songwriter(s)O'Shea Jackson
Producer(s)Torcha Chamba
Ice Cube featuring Don Jagwarr singles chronology
"True to the Game"
(1992) 		"Wicked"
(1992) 		"It Was a Good Day"
(1993)
Music video
"Wicked" on YouTube

Wicked is the first single from rapper Ice Cube's third studio album The Predator.[1][2] The additional vocals were performed by Don Jagwarr.[3] The song's music video was directed by Marcus Raboy and features Anthony Kiedis and Flea of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.[4] It is Ice Cube's first single to enter the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 55.

Cover versions

The song was covered by Korn 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 Korn songs involving Ice Cube (and vice versa); the others being "Children of the Korn", "Fuck Dying" and "Should I Stay or Should I Go".

In 1996, the song was covered by Calla Destra for the electro-industrial various artists compilation Operation Beatbox.[5]

Limp Bizkit has also covered the song in concert,[6] while Korn 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

  1. "Wicked" (radio version)
  2. "Wicked" (instrumental)
  3. "U Ain't Gonna Take My Life"
  4. "U Ain't Gonna Take My Life" (instrumental)
  5. "Wicked" (LP version)

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (1992–1993) Peak
position
US R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay (Billboard)[7] 71
US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard)[8] 1
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[9] 31

Certifications

Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[10] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ Watrous, Peter (March 1, 1993). "Review/Pop; At Ice Cube Rap Concert Everyone Goes to a Party". The New York Times.
  2. ^ "The 100 Best L.A. Rap Songs". Complex. June 21, 2012.
  3. ^ "Don Jagwarr". Discogs.com.
  4. ^ "The Nigga You Love to Love: Ice Cube Reissued, Amerikka's Most Wanted to Lethal Injection". Morphizm.com. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  5. ^ Christian, Chris (August 1996). "Various Artists: Operation Beatbox". Sonic Boom. 4 (7). Retrieved November 17, 2016.
  6. ^ "Limp Bizkit Wicked". YouTube. 2007-01-06. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved 2012-03-15.
  7. ^ "Ice Cube Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  8. ^ "Ice Cube Chart History (Hot Rap Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  9. ^ "Ice Cube Chart History (Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  10. ^ "American single certifications – Ice Cube – Wicked/U Ain't Gonna Take My Life". Recording Industry Association of America.