No Vaseline

About this song

Ice Cube made the song after N.W.A took shots at him on their 1990 EP 100 Miles & Runnin' and their 1991 album Niggaz4Life. Producer Sir Jinx said it was recorded for AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted but left off that record, and it was placed as the last song on Death Certificate. The beat was produced by Cube and Sir Jinx, who sampled "Dazz" by the funk band Brick. The song is widely regarded as one of the most celebrated battle rap songs, and it was later included on the Death Row Greatest Hits album.

What it's about

The track is Ice Cube's diss aimed at his former group N.W.A and their manager, Jerry Heller. Cube accuses them of unfairly exploiting the group and uses harsh language toward Eazy-E and Heller.

Fun facts

• Samples “Dazz by Brick (Band)” and “Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A”.
• Sampled in 37 other songs, like “Snoopafella by Snoop Dogg”.
• Written by Ice Cube, Sir Jinx, George Clinton, David Spradley, Garry Shider and Eddie Irons.
• Produced by Ice Cube and Sir Jinx.
• Recorded at Paramount Studios (Los Angeles).