Hip-hop icon Ice Cube has officially dropped his highly anticipated 12th studio album, “Man Up,” a powerful 14-track collection executive produced by Cube himself and Tony Draper. The release coincides with the announcement of his “Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude” tour, a sprawling North American trek celebrating his four-decade career in music. This dual announcement marks a significant moment for the legendary artist, blending new artistic output with a retrospective celebration.
A Resolute Statement: The “Man Up” Album
“Man Up,” released on September 12, 2025, serves as a potent follow-up to last year’s acclaimed “Man Down.” The album dives deep into themes of accountability, resilience, and challenging societal misconceptions, urging listeners to confront reality head-on. Ice Cube, known for his fearless lyricism and signature West Coast grit, delivers a project that aims to cut through the noise and provoke thought. “After Man Down, you gotta Man Up,” Ice Cube stated, explaining his motivation to address what he perceives as an overly sensitive cultural climate. “I felt like it was time to share some street knowledge about what it really means to stand up and man up in a way that speaks to responsibility, resilience, and truth.” The project is executive produced by Cube and veteran music executive Tony Draper, who previously collaborated on Cube’s “Laugh Now, Cry Later” album.
Key tracks from “Man Up” include the lead single, “Before Hip Hop,” a bold refutation of the narrative that blames rap music for pre-existing societal problems. Another standout is “Act My Age,” featuring the iconic Houston rapper Scarface, marking a generational summit of rap royalty. “California Dreamin'” offers a fresh West Coast perspective, sampling Patrice Rushen’s classic “Forget Me Nots.” A unique inclusion is “It’s My Ego 3Mix,” which features Canadian artist Quake Matthews, the winner of a viral fan-verse challenge, demonstrating Cube’s commitment to engaging his audience directly in his creative process.
“Truth to Power”: A 40-Year Celebration Tour
Accompanying the album’s release is the “Truth to Power: 4 Decades of Attitude” tour, commencing on September 4, 2025, in Brooklyn, New York, at the Barclays Center. This tour, Ice Cube’s first domestic headlining tour in over a decade, is a comprehensive celebration of his 40-year journey through music, film, and culture. Spanning over 22 dates across major U.S. and Canadian markets, the tour promises to deliver an unforgettable experience, featuring both new material from “Man Up” and an extensive catalog of his timeless hits like “It Was a Good Day” and “Check Yo Self.”
“Truth to Power is more than a tour—it’s a 40-year celebration,” Cube commented. “The world needs truth. The people need power. And that’s what my music brings.” Produced by Live Nation, the tour is set to feature a major production, a scale Cube notes is the biggest he’s undertaken since the “Up in Smoke” tour, offering fans an immersive look into his artistry and influences across the decades.
An Enduring Legacy Continues
From his foundational role in N.W.A. to his successful solo career and his ventures into film and entrepreneurship, Ice Cube has consistently remained a relevant and influential figure. The “Man Up” album and the “Truth to Power” tour underscore his enduring commitment to speaking truth and challenging the status quo. This multifaceted artist continues to push boundaries, proving that his voice and vision are as potent today as they were four decades ago. The convergence of new music releases and a major anniversary tour solidifies Ice Cube’s place not just in hip-hop history, but in broader cultural discourse, making these upcoming events highly trending in the music news cycle.
