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“Ego Maniacs” Music Video Featuring Killer Mike & Busta Rhymes Surpasses 1 Million Views Within First 24 Hours!
Ice Cube’s first solo album in six years, Man Down, is making waves, debuting at #2 on iTunes’ Hip-Hop/Rap Album Chart—just behind Kendrick Lamar’s GNX and ahead of Nicki Minaj’s The Pinkprint and GloRilla’s Glorious. As the album celebrates its Top 5 success, Ice Cube drops the highly anticipated and timely music video for “Ego Maniacs,” featuring powerhouse collaborators Killer Mike and Busta Rhymes.
The Gabriel “Video God” Hart-directed black-and-white visuals of Ice Cube‘s “Ego Maniacs” are accented with bold pops of color, highlighting Cube’s iconic blue fur coat, Killer Mike‘s red varsity jacket, and different visuals throughout. The backgrounds behind each lyricist celebrate their roots as they rap about the elements that shape their egos. Killer Mike’s Atlanta features landmarks like “Killer House” (a nod to Waffle House) and “Killer Kreme” (inspired by Krispy Kreme). Ice Cube pays homage to Los Angeles, from Randy’s Donuts and Dodger Stadium to his childhood street, Van Wick Street. Busta Rhymes’ New York roots shine underground at the subway station on 1520 Sedgwick Avenue. Each setting amplifies the personal and cultural influences behind their verses. The visual for “Ego Maniacs” has already seen more than a million views in twenty-four hours.
Man Down has cemented Ice Cube’s status as a legendary storyteller and a force in Hip Hop. Hailed as one of the standout releases of the week by The FADER and featured in Entertainment Tonight’s and NPR’s notable music picks, the album has also received widespread praise from top media outlets:
“The South Central icon’s unfiltered thoughts and cinematic pen play out across 19 tracks.” —Billboard
“His first solo project since 2018… Man Down, doesn’t disappoint.” —BET
“Ice Cube adds to his music legacy on the new album Man Down.” —XXL
“The album is very much a throwback to the rudiments of rap—beats, lyricism, and storytelling.” —Black Enterprise
“Man Down resonates as a bold and reflective addition to his legendary discography.” —The Source
“A living musical legend having the passion and will to create after having already solidified their legacy is to be marveled at and respected.” —Vibe “Regardless of his lengthy gaps in releases, Ice Cube still comes with fresh, hard-hitting rhymes on his new album that will satisfy his loyal fans.” —The Breakfast Club
“Man Down is a more than worthy addition to the L.A. native’s storied discography.” —HotNewHipHop
“The legend that is Ice Cube has served up his most alive project in quite some time as the N.W.A co-founder sounds completely revitalized on his 11th album Man Down.” — HipHopDX
“Ice Cube could have any claim to the hip-hop throne…N.W.A.’s place in rap history and Cube’s subsequent solo success [cements] his status as one of the most dominant hip-hop stars of the late ’80s and ’90s.” — Entertainment Weekly
The official “Ego Maniacs” music video is available now on YouTube and all major platforms.
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ABOUT ICE CUBE x MAN DOWN
“You’re not going to have a 40-year career unless you can give people music that they can use in their daily life,” explains Ice Cube. Eight years since his last solo album, one of Hip Hop’s living legends returns with a conceptual body of work in Man Down. This 19-song collection examines the status of manhood in the present day and offers wisdom and criticism from a steadfast alpha male of the entertainment industry. “It’s really about me thinking real men need to stand up. I think we’re already down in a lot of ways,” Cube explains. The rap star-turned-mogul returns to his roots to confront misinformation and put a sense of pride back into a masculine identity. This album stays true to the core of who Ice Cube is — blending powerful messages with music that honors a rich and dynamic legacy—from lowrider funk to hardcore West Coast beats.
