Editors’ Notes When Death Certificate was released in 1991, Cube was coming off a contentious split with N.W.A., an acclaimed solo album Amerikkka’s Most Wanted, and an ideological awakening informed by the NOI. An unflinching document of pre-Rodney King riots Los Angeles, Death Certificate takes aim at everything from the LAPD and new jack swing to his former groupmates (“No Vaseline”), all atop incandescent funk samples from Zapp, P-Funk, and James Brown. Filled with tension, jarring realities, and gallows humor, it’s one of the most controversial rap albums ever—and the hardest in Cube’s repertoire. This anniversary edition opens with three new tracks.