MEMBERS: Ice Cube, W.C., Mack 10
The Westside Connection was formed in 1996 when rookie-at-the-time Mack 10 was teamed up with his album's executive producer Ice Cube, and former Lench Mob member W.C. The WSC first appearing on Mack 10's self-entitled debut LP, on a cut named "Westside Slaughterhouse". This track was a response to the attack on West Coast rap music by Chi-Town rapper Common Sense in the song "Used to Love H.E.R.". In the first track by WSC, the three members hit back hard, with Ice Cube shouting furiously "Used to love her, mad cause we fucked a pussy-whipped bitch with no common sense..." In a period when East-West tensions were on the rise, this release did not only fan the flames, but it also got the attention of all rap fans, East and West Coast alike.
By the time their debut album was relased, entitled "Bow Down", the Westside Connection had acquired its healthy share of haters, especially from the East Coast, but also some West Coast rap fans, who argued that WSC and what it stood for gave the West Coast a bad name. Nevertheless, Ice Cube, W.C. and Mack 10 were determined to "make every man, woman and child bow down to the 'W'." However, despite the mud being flung Eastwards in such cuts as "All the Critics in the NYC" and "Cross Em out & Put a 'K'", The Source Magazine awarded "Bow Down" 4 1/2 mics out of 5, noting WSC's refusal to compromise and their hard-hiting and well crafted raps, delivered by three of the most commanding rapping voices on the West Coast.
In spite of what many rap fans in New York think, WSC's aim is not to ignite a war between East and West but rather to let the West's presence be known and felt. Years of the West Coast being underacknowledged and underespected by the pioneers of rap had forced WSC to act. As Ice Cube put it: "We used to respect y'all (New York) niggaz. We used to be down with y'all niggaz. But all y'all had for the West coast, was criticism and disrespect."
As the East-West tensions seem to be cooling down in the wake of the tragic losses of 2Pac and Notorious B.I.G., it might perhaps seem as though WSC's firestorm should be doused considerably. There is no word as to whether or not a second LP will follow, but in any case the Westside Connect Gang has tread some of the deepest tracks in the shortest time in the history of West Coast rap music.
| Westside Connection Releases |
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(LP-1996) |
