Classic Albums: Guerillas In Tha Mist

By 1990 west coast hip hop superstar Ice Cube had left his former powerhouse group NWA and began his solo career. He then co-founded a group known as Da Lench Mob, who were friends and acquaintances of his from his hometown of South Central Los Angeles. Da Lench Mob was made up of three members: J-Dee, Shorty and T-bone. As Cube’s new group of protégés Da Lench Mob began making appearances on Ice Cube first two solo albums Amerikkkas Most Wanted (1990), the E.P. that went with it, Kill At Will (1990), and Death Certificate (1991). By 1992 Cube and Da Lench Mob crafted the group’s first full length album Guerillas In Tha Mist and set the west coast hip hop scene on fire.

🎶Come down and beware of the black fist

The guerillas straight motherfucking killers in tha Mist

Take a shot (Buck buck) but you can't whore us

Never thought you'd see South Central niggas in the forest

Don't kick in the chorus just yet

'Cause we ain't made a mess yet

Lench Mob produce the best yet

Comin' real hard man, bumpin' in your car man

Finally caught up with a devil named Tarzan

Swingin' on a vine, suckin' on a piece of swine

Jiggaboo come up from behind

Hit him with a coconut, stab him in his gut

Push him out the tree, he falls right on his nuts🎶 (Guerillas In Tha Mist)

Profuced by Ice Cube who is also featured on the album, Guerillas In Tha Mist shows Da Lench Mob following in the footsteps of Ice Cube’s social and political commentary which he previously displayed on his earliest efforts. The title track became a hit single became a funk filled hit single for its comedic commentary on race relations and stereotypes between black and white. The themes of brutally honest consciousness mixed with comedic subtext became the running theme of the album.

🎶Does Polly want a cracker? Fuck no, he's a zero

And I ain't with the redneck hero

I'm glad that Lincoln got bucked in the face

We should have been free in the first place

Now, let me drop it like it should be dropped

And watch Rocky Marciano ass get mopped (word)

Madonna, you motherfuckin' slut

You can show your butt, and Jimmy still won't get up (yeah)

The Beatles, I just can't fade

Get the motherfuckin' raid, Bone, we got roaches (word)

And Fonzie can't rumble (yeah)

And by the way, you can have Bryant Gumbel

Babe Ruth was good against the white boys

But he couldn't hit a nigga like Doc Gooden

Marilyn Monroe was a ho for the Kennedy's

Don't worry, J-Dee know the enemies

And I'll point 'em out, if you don't know 'em

And tell Uncle Sam that I'm lookin' for 'em

'Cause I don't bow down to no zero

And I'll say - fuck you and your heroes!🎶 (You and Your Heroes).

Songs from the album like “You and Your Heroes” was a comedic yet brazen critiquing of the reception that many white entertainers have gotten as opposed to many black entertainers. Other songs from the album like “All on My Nutsac” and “Buck Tha Devil” take firm stands against drug dealers in the black community as well the presence of white supremacy through acts such as police brutality.

The album even managed to take a personal as well as heartfelt first person perspective with songs like “Lost In Tha System” and “Lord Have Mercy”. The purpose of these songs was to give a first person storytelling look into life and struggle of a black male in the Los Angeles inner city. The song titled “Freedom Got an AK” was without a doubt the most energetic song on the album. It was also the most controversial due to its rebellious commentary about black Americans defending themselves against racial oppression.

Like a lot young men my age Guerillas In Tha Mist spoke loudest to me when the title track was featured on the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. As a big Ice Cube fan Da Lench Mob is one of my favorite hip hop groups ever and this album is one of my favorite west coast classics. I love how great and brazen this album is with its Nation of Islam influenced social and racial commentary, along with its upbeat and energetic flavor. This album can only be described as a classic hip hop head’s dream. If you’re into classic hip hop go give Guerillas In Tha Mist a listen.