LOS ANGELES, (RUSHPRNEWS) AUGUST 28, 2008–Ice Cube does it once again with his latest music masterpiece, “Raw Footage,” landing itself at #1 on the Hip Hop/R & B charts, selling 69,234 units in its first week and #5 on overall Top 200 Album sales chart. This impressive debut is reminiscent of the success Cube had with his 2006 opus “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” which became the highest selling independent hip hop release of the year.

With the month of August also marking the 20th year anniversary of the NWA debut release of “Straight Outta Compton,” Cube proves he is still the Godfather of Gangsta Rap after two decades in the game.

Featuring production from Emile, DJ Crazy Toones and guest features by Young Jeezy, The Game and WC, “Raw Footage” has become a viral sensation across the internet, in part by the earlier released buzz single and video “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It,” produced by Maestro.

Cube recently followed up with the album’s first official single and video, “Do Ya Thang,” which was the #1 most added record at rhythmic radio, a certified banger produced by Palumbo Beats.

Showing absolutely no signs of slowing down, Cube readies for the release of the album’s official second single, “Why Me?” featuring Musiq Soulchild, which will introduce a music video by famed director Benny Boom. Produced by Teak and Dee for Hallway Productionz, “Why Me?,” is a powerful song where Cube tells a story from the viewpoint of an innocent victim who faces a random act of violence, asking, “Why did I have to be one to die?”

“I made this record to talk about what is going on in the world today. We are dealing with a recession, and I know a lot of people feel helpless in a way. I consciously decided to try to give a voice to those who feel voiceless in the world,” says Ice Cube.

Currently on a national 22-city concert tour, which kicked off in Seattle on August 20th and is scheduled to end on September 21st in New York City, Cube can be seen performing new hits off of “Raw Footage” along with classic material for die hard fans.

NEWS SOURCE: YO! RAPS MAGAZINE