Jay-19 wrote:One of the most overrated rappers of all time.

The way you're saying it, there must be 10000 great rappers out there if Ice Cube is one of the most overrated.
There's not that many great rappers out there with legendary status, and Ice Cube is easily one the elite. If he didn't rhyme, a lot of what's done today would not have occurred. He had the balls and intelligence to do what he did, and pave the way for millions out there.
Why is Ice Cube amongst the elite, towards the very top of the list?
- Wrote 90% of NWA's rhymes - including the entire 'Straight Outta Compton' album which changed not only Hip Hop, but the music industry. Most would admit then that Hip Hop needed not only something amazing but something eye-catching if it was to ever catch the attention of mainstream America....and NWA did that. Ice Cube was the man behind the lyrics.
- Wrote Eazy E's early lyrics - this includes game changing and everlasting tracks like 'BoyzNtheHood'.
- Practically an Independent, after leaving NWA he released 4 albums with almost no outside buzz and support in 4 years that went platinum - never EVER been done since by any rap artist to release consecutive albums in consecutive years that went platinum. Try doing that today.
- Elevated others around him - that is the black people of the West Coast and rap groups such as Public Enemy. Formed his own group that also went platinum. Starred in a movie that will forever be a classic depicting life in that era and area - BoyzNtheHood.
- Took a 6 year hiatus, longer than Eminem, came back more "out of the game" then Eminem on an Independent and no buzz or promotion and went gold.
- At the end of the day, he had 4 solo classic albums back to back which is almost impossible and was responsible for the words of the most influential rap group/artists of all time and the original voice behind the biggest family tree in music history - that now includes artists like Eminem.
No contest - one of the greatest of all time. Top 5 Dead or Alive, without doubt.