War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace

03/20/2000 9:18 PM, LAUNCH
Billy Johnson Jr

After Ice Cube unleashed the Westside Connection album in 1996 with W.C. and Mack 10, his subsequent releases toned down the blunt, unapologetic jabs at street politics. And while the more party-oriented "We Be Clubin'," "Pushin' Weight," and more recent "You Can Do It" were welcomed, the return of the negro we love to hate is exciting.

The easy going and melodic "Until We Rich" featuring Krayzie Bone is reminiscent of Cube's "Today Is A Good Day" in its appealing, radio-friendly vibe. But that's the extent of the album's "player it for your mother s--t," a sentiment Cube vents on the chorus of "The Gutter S--t," a massive, booming posse cut featuring West Coast MCs Jayo Felony, Gangsta, and Squeak-Ru.

The album features a limitless amount of hip-hop confrontations that remind of his days in N.W.A., including "Hell Low," a second N.W.A. reunion song that appeases those still playing "Chin Check" from the Next Friday soundtrack. Also consider the bass synthesizer vibrato "Supreme Hustle," new-jack informant "Record Company Pimpin'," and braggadocios, space-age synthesizer-driven "N--ga Of The Century."

A couple miscellaneous tracks round out the project. "You Ain't Got To Lie To Kick It" features help from a hilarious Chris Rock, and "Gotta Be Insanity" revives the thick funk of "Bop Gun," Cube's classic collab with George Clinton.

Only a few songs are worth skipping--the extremely somber "24 'Mo Hours," the corny female conquest "Roll All Day," and forced "Waitin' Ta Hate," that rides over a loop of EPMD's "So Wat Cha Sayin'."

Though nothing on The Peace Disc is as offensive as N.W.A.'s "Gangsta Gangsta" or Cube's ultimate dis track "No Vaseline," it's a pretty strong effort from an MC who's been on the scene for 13-plus years.