A couple of weeks ago veteran West Coast rapper Ice Cube announced his plans to drop a new album this summer, ultimately causing quite a stir.

Normal you say for a veteran rapper of Cube’s caliber to want to begin the promotional push for his ninth solo release? Well, it would have been save for the name - I AM THE WEST – he chose to describe it.

Understandably, the 40 year old pioneer has gotten his fair share of flack for such an audacious claim. So he took to his blog again to address the responses he’s gotten and heard from the youngstas.

I knew, as soon as I named my record, I AM THE WEST… Suckas would come out the wood work and have something to say about it.

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Ice Cube took to his blog EARLY this morning to announce the name of his new album will be I AM THE WEST. It will drop in July and be chock full of socio-political West Coast inspired music. In other words, classic Ice Cube. Get ready.

“This shit is cocky, no apologies, West Coast gangsta shit,” Cube said of the album. “I can’t help it. That’s what I do.”

He went on to talk about the climate of the industry and how West Coast artists have lost their way in favor of attempting to please the masses, their music peers and commercial governed entities.

“For 7 or 8 years now the West Coast has been trying to do music that appeals to the South and Mid-West,” he continued. “The words, ‘too West Coast’ would be heard throughout the industry whenever our music was played. Even by our own dj’s.

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Everyone talks about Jay Z and Raekwon, but there was another old school legend that dropped an album this year and it wasn’t too shabby. His name is Ice Cube and the material was dubbed Raw Footage.

He sits down with PP2G.TV and makes a distinction between it and Laugh Now… Cry Later, among other sociopolitical efforts during his career.

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ESPN is anxiously anticipating their 30th year anniversary and are doing so with a series entitled “30 for 30.” The documentary style series pairs the most magnetic sports figures with film directors that share common grounds with them. In Ice Cube’s case, he will chart the history of his beloved Oakland Raiders.

30 other filmmakers including Boyz N Da Hood’s John Singleton (Marion Jones) and Hoop Dreams‘ Steve James (Allen Iverson) will take the Director’s chair for ESPN in what promises to be a fulfilling tribute.

“30 for 30″ is slated to begin on October 6th.

Decent interview with Peter Parker here, but nothing you haven’t heard from Cube if you’ve been listening. He chronicles his life story as a rapper, per Parker’s questioning and assesses how the game has come full circle.