Laugh Now, Cry Later
by Ice Cube
Metascore
59

Mixed or average reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 6 out of 11
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 11
  3. Negative: 1 out of 11
  1. Vibe
    80
    His delivery is crisp and uncomplicated, but razor sharp, like gangster haikus. [Jun 2006, p.159]
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  2. NOW Magazine
    80
    This is hot.
  3. RapReviews.com
    75
    By bringing his beats up to date he may not only win back some old fans but convert a few new ones in the process by showing them he's more than just a Hollywood actor.
  5. Billboard
    70
    Surprisingly, a middle-aged Cube still packs a youthful punch when it comes to the gangsta tales. [3 Jun 2006]
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  6. AllMusic
    70
    Unlike his early classics, Laugh Now stumbles occasionally and fails to keep the momentum going through the whole fourth quarter.
  7. Prefix Magazine
    70
    A blistering triumph of a record.

User Reviews

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User Score
7.6

Generally favorable reviews- based on 28 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 20 out of 28
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 28
  3. Negative: 3 out of 28
  1. Urbanlistener
    Oct 6, 2015
    9
    Awesome album, a triumphant return after a 6 years absence by Cube. The beats are dope, his rhymes are great as usual, same great flow.Awesome album, a triumphant return after a 6 years absence by Cube. The beats are dope, his rhymes are great as usual, same great flow. Definitely an underrated gangasta album.… Full Review »
  2. Steven2
    Mar 3, 2013
    9
    Ice Cube is one of those artists that has to have a fall in his career before his comeback can happen. First he started out in one of theIce Cube is one of those artists that has to have a fall in his career before his comeback can happen. First he started out in one of the greatest musical groups of all time NWA. NWA was raw, gangsta, and sociopolitcal all at once. They defined west coast hip hop and for a time were unstoppable. Then Ice Cube had left the group due to personal reasons and the group made one more album before falling apart. But right after he had left, he had made the smash hit and universally acclaimed album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. It might as well have been called Straight Outta Compton 2, because in some ways it has striking similarities to Straight Outta Compton, but that isn't a bad thing. Fortunately, he had made a much better album than his album with NWA. Not only was AmeriKKKa hard and raw, but it was also sociopolitical and melodic. It is my favorite West Coast album to this date. Then 1 year later he made the awesome sophmore album, Death Certificate. It was just as awesome, if not more awesome than his first album. Then he had to follow up to his amazing first two albums with an equally impressive masterpiece. Fortunately, he did not disappoint. The Predator was funky, angry, and melodic, while still giving fresh twists along the way. Then something happened. Dr Dre had made the landmark LP, The Chronic, and had revolutionized hip hop. To capitalize on it's success, Ice Cube had changed his sociopolitical lyrics and his funky, old school beats to a more mainstream, g-funk style. As a result, this album was received poorly, and was panned by the hip hop community. As a result, Cube had decided to take a break from music and worked on movie projects. About 5 years later, he had released War And Peace: The War Disc. Unfortunately, it was not a comeback. An entertaining LP, yes. A comeback, no. Then 2 years later he had dropped the sequel, War And Peace: The Peace Disc. Fortunately, it was better than the first disc, but it was not the comeback that we had wanted for so long. Like he did with his first hiatus, Cube had decided to take a break from music and worked on movies for about 6 years. Then it was time for a new album. The time was right, he hadn't made a great album in over 14 years. It was time for a comeback. Fortunately, this album is a comeback album. Not only is it a suburb hip hop album, but it is a great comeback album to a great rapper. From the funk, hypnotic beats to the raw, sociopolitical lyrics Cube had the hip hop community rest assured that he was back and better than ever.… Full Review »
  3. ChrisR
    Sep 6, 2006
    10
    CUBE is back again, he always comes out with the hardest shit and never shys away
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