Ice Cube takes the Indie Route with new Album

By: Yves Erwin Salomon

Rapper and actor Ice Cube has been in the game for some time, so it should come as no surprise that he's decided against releasing his next album through a major label. The rapper told MTV.com, "What is a record company going to do for me that I can't do for myself? Nothing. It's nothing they can offer me to have a major percent of my record. It's really all about ownership at this time. This is not a new page in the game. This an old page. People are caught up in double, triple platinum. That's lovely, but what's double platinum if you not getting double-platinum money? It's all about what you take home to your family at the end of the day, if you gonna make this game a profession."

The rapper added, "At some point, an artist needs to put his money where his mouth is. Stop looking for the next advance. A record company's schedule sometimes don't coincide with what you need to do as an artist. By me not being on no schedules or deadlines, I made a better record because of that."

The rapper has already recorded over 30 songs for his new album, Laugh Now Cry Later, which is scheduled to come out June 6th.

The album will feature the production of Scott Storch, Lil'Jon, and Swizz Beatz, with guest appearances by Juvenile, Snoop Dogg, and Juelz Santana.

Ice Cube has released six full-length solo albums since parting ways with N.W.A. in 1989. The rapper's releases include: 1990's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted and 1991's Death Certificate, which were both certified platinum; 1992's The Predator, which was certified double platinum; 1993's Lethal Injection and 1998's War amp; Peace, Vol. 1, which were also certified platinum; and 2000's War amp; Peace, Vol. 2, which was certified gold.

Ice Cube's last release was 2003's platinum-certified Terrorist Threats, which was released by his group, the Westside Connection, which also includes WC and Mack 10.