It is hard to say if DEATH CERTIFICATE or AMERIKKKA'S MOST WANTED is Ice Cube's best album.

This album has so many good tracks on it I probably could list them all -- some are: "Wrong N**** to F*** Wit", My Summer Vacation", "Steady Mobbin'", "Man's Best Friend" (one of the 1st tracks to sample George Clinton's "Atomic Dog"), and "Bird in the Hand".
Also, this album has the greatest diss-track ever -- "No Vaseline" which is about Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, and the rest of NWA

This album has great funk-induced beats (that was popular in 1990's rap), and Ice Cube covers several issues of that time in the album.

It is an essential album, but the material may seem dated for the youngin's.

When Ice Cube came out with Amerikkkaz Most Wanted he showed he was already ahead of NWA mentally. Even though the album had more gangsta joints than conscious ones it was still a good album. Death Certificate is better than the first one in everyway. Good prouction+great thought provoking lyrics = great album. Standout Tracks: THE WRONG N***A TO F*** WIT, MY SUMMER VACATION, STEADY MOBBIN, GIVIN UP THE NAPPY DUGOUT(Funny plus the condom skit is side-splitting hilarious), MAN'S BEST FRIEND, ALIVE ON ARRIVAL, I WANNA KILL SAM, HORNY LIL DEVIL, TRUE TO THE GAME, COLOR BLIND, US, and NO VASELINE(Ice Cube shuts down NWA with one of the best diss records ever). Filler: Black Korea(if it was longer it might have been good). Bottom Line: Death Certificate is Ice Cube's best album period. The lyrics are sharp and the gems are plentiful. Plus you have to admit that not too many rappers can literally shut down a crew with one diss record like Cube did with No Vaseline. Yes this album is a worthwhile purchase.

First off everyone throw away your Nelly and Jay-Z albums because this is a true classic here. Amerikkas Most Wanted show'd everyone that Cube could survive as a solo artist and Death Certificate has Ice Cube become more Raw and not afraid to say what's on his mind. My Summer Vacation tells the story of the spreading of gangs in Middle America. While No Vaseline has Cube doing one of the most vicious dis to his former crew NWA. Racism is another key to Death Certificate. Songs that cover it is Color Blind, True To The Game, and Horny LIL' Devil.The bounus track How To Survive in South Central is one of my favorite Ice Cube tracks of all time. It reveals the truth of the Souh Central Streets and what you see on TV isn't all they show you. You want to call Cube a racist for what he's saying you have to think about what he's talking about. He just isn't going after white people because he hates them their is a reason like the police getting away with so much or the presidents and government not doing anything to help the ghettos. And I understand that because I live in Long Beach and it isn't easy living here. I'm glad I got music to hear like Ice Cube because it's something to enjoy or relate to. I hear mostly rock now but Cube and other West Coast rappers I still hear today.

"bird in the hand"
"mans best friend"
"alive on arrival"

- them 3 songs, rollin one behind the other, might be the best sequence of songs on any other rap album EVER!

and actually, the entire first half of this album is pure classic... cube was always at his best when describing the social/urban conditions existing in america... (for his best social/political commentary, i'd hafta go with his work on the lench mob's album).

but the three songs i mentioned above have continued to sound fresh and relevent over time...
i have no problem comparing his commentary on this album with the likes of gil scott-heron or the last poets.

libations for the loss
of artists 'with somethin to say',
conveying messages...

Ice Cube is a top 10 MC of all time. The greatest west coast rapper ever (yes, better than 2Pac). I would say Death Certificate is the best album of his great discogrophy (Straight Outta Compton is a bit better, though). This is one of my favorite albums of all time, and if you don't have this, your rap collection is not complete.

Produced by Sir Jinx, Ice Cube himself, and The Boogiemen (DJ Pooh, Bobcat & Rashad), Death Certificate has the usual DOPE Ice Cube production. His first album (AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted), laced by Public Enemy producers The Bomb Squad, Sir Jinx & Cube, had unique East meets West production, which was pretty much continued on this one, but with only West Coast producers this time.

As usual Cube rips the album with tons of storytelling, and just the overall great lyricism that makes Ice Cube an elite MC.

Top 5 Songs (In Order):

1. No Vaseline - Diss to N.W.A., and my favorite diss track of all time. Dope beat, and just hard hitting lyrics.

2. Steady Mobbin' - Maybe the best beat on the CD, and one of Cube's best lyrically.

3. My Summer Vacation - Another NICE storytelling song, with another just FUNKY beat

4. Alive On Arrival - Great storytelling song, and produced extremely well

5. I Wanna Kill Sam - Most creative song on the album, nice concept and it was done extremely well

Lyrics/Substance/Subject Matter - 10/10
Flow/Delivery - 10/10
Production - 10/10
Overall Feel - 10/10

Party Rating - 6/10 - Ice Cube isnt a party MC at all, but some of these beats definately get you out your chair.
Overall Rating - 10/10 - Classic. Essential album.
Guest Apperances - 9/10 - Threat, KAM, WC, Coolio, King Tee & Jay Dee - All on one song, 'Color Blind', and all of them come correct