Positives: Most of the songs are pretty good and Ice Cube is tight on this one. This album is a lot better than the second part of War & Peace. Cube is a living legend in the rap game and you can see why with this album sometimes. My favorite track is "Ghetto Vet" cause it's got a really phat piano part in the beat. Cube isn't the best lyricist ever but he does rap about a little bit more than the usual gangsta. Not many other rappers would make a song about being paralyzed and pissing through a tube. Track 15, "X--------" is one of those songs you can dedicate to all your ex-girls and that's something I enjoy to do every now and then.

Negatives: You get the feeling that the album could be better. Westside Connection fans are probably let down a little by the War & Piece set cause Cube just isn't quite as hardcore gangsta as he was on Bow Down. Cube talks too much about being a veteran in this game for my taste. In my opinion he should focus on staying in it instead of bragging about lasting so long. In all fairness though he was a member of NWA and he did start "gangsta rap".

The first half of this album is full of bangin' beats and vocals that are off the hook. The second half, for some reason, seems to lose something. The production isn't as good and the lyrics seem kind of limp. However, the first half outweighs the second half, so the album gets four stars instead of three. Tracks such as PUSHIN' WEIGHT, GREED, and THE CURSE OF MONEY exemplify the outstanding production and vocals, while ONCE UPON A TIME IN THE PROJECTS 2 and 3 STRIKES YOU IN just fall off and leave the listener scratching their head and wondering what happened.

People have been saying that Cube has sold out with his Don Mega persona. I just have one question: shouldn't rap be evolving? If MCs keep the same style throughout their careers, they risk falling off. Cube has evolved from an angry teen to a man who distrusts labels and management and who is now successful in and of himself. It's his prerogative to change to match his personality. Why give him beef over that? To me, this new Cube is more sophisticated and can say a lot more on more levels in his songs. This is what makes this album good.

Ice Cube made a very solid return to the rap game after a 5 year hiatus with his War Disc, where he promptly confronts ghetto difficulties. While doing so, he reaffirms his status as a premier rapper in the game today with hard, angry rap deliveries over some very nice beats. Ice Cube his just returned now with his latest studio album "Laugh Now, Cry Later" too which boasts some great tracks as well.

"Ask About Me" is a powerful opener, with a vibing instrumental beat and Cube spitting his lyrics strongly. "Pushin' Weight" is a good track where Cube explains how he's still holdin' it down in the game with his rhymes. "Dr. Frankenstein" is another tight track featuring Mr. Short Kop for another appearance on the album. "War and Peace" sees Ice Cube suggesting that peace is needed for all and he states "Westside for life but still down with the East". "Ghetto Vet" may be my favourite rap cut on the album where Cube takes a setting of a hospital describing a scene of contemplating suicide while near death. "Greed" is a heavy gangsta cut to follow it up, then Ice Cube moves into lyrics about money with "Cash Over A**" and "The Curse Of Money." The last few songs on this album are some of the best, which include "Extradition", a track laced with a sweet beat, "Penitentiary" and "3 Strikes You In", an aggressive cut.

Overall, this is a fairly strong rap release from Ice Cube who doesn't touch on anything political but rather spits about the hood as usual in a variety of ways. Lyrically he most often on the mark and his voice sounds mature and very strong. Recommended to any Ice Cube fan.

Ice Cube is the embodiment of Gansterism. He's OG now and it shows. He has been a player in the game for over 10 yrs now. I don't care if he's Don Mega or Cube, he's the hardest hitter. Ghetto Vet symbolizes the albums meaning...Still in the game no matter what. With first of two CDs, Cube proves he "Pushes Rhymes Like Weight".

Peace, Damn Straight

Ask About Me 9/10
Pushin' Weight 9/10
Dr. Frankenstain 9/10
**** Dying 8/10
War & Piece 7/10
Ghetto Vet 9/10
Greed 4/10, The only bad song on this album.
MP (Skit)
Cash Over *** 8/10
The Curse Of Money 7/10
The Peckin' Order 9/10
Limos, Demos & Bimbos 7/10
Once Upon A Time In The Projects 2 7/10
If I Was ****** You 10/10
X-******* 10/10
Extradition 10/10
3 Strikes You In 9/10
Penitentiary 7/10

Definitely his best album.