Some might make the argument that O’Shea “Ice Cube” Jackson is bipolar, and they have every right to think so. The original member of N.W.A. and one of the forefathers of ‘gangsta rap’ also doubles as a movie star that puts out a ton of kid-based films at a high success rate. But in his defense, he’s not bipolar—he just knows the meaning of building a brand. As he continues to stack accomplishments on an already monumental career, he once again switches from his actor’s trailer back to the recording studio for his ninth album, Raw Footage.

The once angry and controversial son of Compton has grown older and wiser over the years, and this project is the reflection of a man that has come full circle with his life and career. Filled with social commentary, occasional bragging, and that Cali-twang reminiscent of his jheri curl days; the 39-year-old proves that he still has some gas left in the tank.

The DJ Toomp-produced ‘I Got My Locs On’ featuring Young Jeezy serves as the introduction track. Getting in touch with his financial side, Ice Cube discusses the status of his portfolio with lines like, “Women love it when they see me on that motorcycle/n*ggas hate cause they know I’m makin’ more than Michael/been ballin’ since the word ballin’ played out/they brought it back to describe me in that Maybach.” Not to be out done, the king of adlib s stirs some of his Atlanta seasoning in the pot as well, “Keep my Locs on, I see them hatin’ mothaf*ckas/keep my Locs on, you know that match my black Chuckas.”

On ‘Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It,’ Ice Cube uses a simple piano loop to shine light on how society is quick to point the finger in Hip-Hop’s direction whenever something goes wrong in the world. ‘Hood Mentality’ is used to talk about how a lot of people think they’re bettering themselves, when in reality they’re still running in place, “If you don’t know sh*t, then you can’t work for me/cause you read your first book in the penitentiary.” Ice Cube brings in a positive vibe on ‘Cold Places’ as he talks about self-educating, and remaining focused during trying times, “The sh*t I say might get you through the day/or change your whole life, in a major way/the sh*t they say, might catch you a case/the sh*t I say, feel like ya birthday.”

On  'Jack N The Box,’ Ice Cube indulges himself a little and basks in the glory of everything he’s accomplished in the last 25 years, “Now mama don’t be mad, I got to show my ass/and thank these mothaf*ckas for my past/I got to let them know I never break like glass/what you lookin’ at is top notch world class.” It wouldn’t be an Ice Cube album without an appearance by WC, and he comes in on ‘Get Use To It’ along with everybody’s favorite name-dropper, The Game.

Both OG’s start the song off, letting LA’s new young blood close things up, “Sit back and take notes, while I spin like 100-spokes/my flow is razor sharp, I’m comin’ for ya throat.” The unique production of ‘Tomorrow’ plays out like a high school band equipped with trumpets and tubas while Ice Cube talks about how tomorrow is never promised. Other songs like the Al Green feel of ‘Stand Tall,’ Musiq Soulchild helping to smooth things out on ‘Why Me?,’ and the authentic California sounds of ‘Do Ya Thing’ and ‘It Takes A Nation’ helps to put on stamp on why Ice Cube has been able to stay around for a quarter of a century.

The people who grew up on his music, are almost certainly taking their children to see his movies; and they’re probably sitting in the theater thinking to themselves, “I used to listen to how this guy wanted to kill Uncle Sam, and now the majority of his movies don’t go over a PG-13 rating.” Luckily for those parents that followed him way back then, they can still get a little nostalgic when listening to Raw Footage, and continue on having a good day.