Check Yo Self
Encyclopedia
"Check Yo Self" is the second hit single from Ice Cube
's third solo album The Predator
. It was released in July 1993 and features New York
rappers Das EFX
. It topped both the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap charts while also reaching number 20 on the Hot 100 chart. The song retains two main versions, the original and a remix which utilizes the same beat as Grandmaster Flash
's "The Message," titled "Check Yo Self (The Message Remix)".
The supporting vocals in this song are featured by the Wu-Tang Clan
.
The song is featured on Ice Cube's Bootlegs & B-Sides
album and was later released on his Greatest Hits
album. The clean version of "Check Yo Self (The Message Remix)" can be found within the popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
, playing on the West Coast Hip hop
radio station Radio Los Santos and in the soundtrack of the movie Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. The original version of the song was featured in the 2010 film Due Date
. In January 2010, Snoop Dogg
released a cover version of the song.
," most of the scenes follow and illustrate respective lyrics of the song. The video continues where "It Was A Good Day" left off, with Ice Cube's home being surrounded and invaded by the LAPD before he is handcuffed and taken under arrest, presumably for murder. Ice Cube is then brought to L.A. County
jail
where he spends the majority of the video experiencing the conflict described in the lyrics, such as disputes between cellmates and breaking up with his girlfriend. After six months pass, Ice Cube is able to win over the female guard watching him who helps him break out by dressing him up in a uniform. The two make their way outside to a police cruiser and drive off into the night.
Remix version:
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
's third solo album The Predator
The Predator
The Predator is the third studio album by Ice Cube. Released within months of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, many songs comment on the racial tensions. The title is in part reference to the movie Predator 2, and the album itself includes samples from the film...
. It was released in July 1993 and features New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
rappers Das EFX
Das EFX
Das EFX is an American hip hop duo. It consists of emcees Skoob and Dray...
. It topped both the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap charts while also reaching number 20 on the Hot 100 chart. The song retains two main versions, the original and a remix which utilizes the same beat as Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash
Joseph Saddler better known as King Grandmaster Flash, is an American hip hop musician and DJ; one of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing....
's "The Message," titled "Check Yo Self (The Message Remix)".
The supporting vocals in this song are featured by the Wu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Clan
The Wu-Tang Clan is a hip-hop group from Staten Island that consists of RZA, GZA, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God, Masta Killa, and the late Ol' Dirty Bastard. They are frequently joined by fellow childhood friend Cappadonna, a quasi member of the group...
.
The song is featured on Ice Cube's Bootlegs & B-Sides
Bootlegs & B-Sides
Bootlegs & B-sides is a compilation album by Ice Cube, released on November 22, 1994.- Overview :Bootlegs & B-sides is a collection of b-sides and remixes compiled from various Ice Cube 12"s, originally recorded between 1992-1994. It includes the remix of the hit single "Check Yo Self", originally...
album and was later released on his Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits (Ice Cube album)
Ice Cube - Greatest Hits is a compilation album released in 2001 compiling 17 songs by Ice Cube. Two songs were exclusive to the album, "$100 Bill Y'all" and "In the Late Night Hour".-Track listing:#"Pushin' Weight" Ice Cube - Greatest Hits is a compilation album released in 2001 compiling 17...
album. The clean version of "Check Yo Self (The Message Remix)" can be found within the popular videogame Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
, playing on the West Coast Hip hop
West Coast hip hop
West Coast hip hop is a hip hop music subgenre that encompasses any artists or music that originates in the westernmost region of the United States, as opposed to East Coast hip hop, based originally in New York alone...
radio station Radio Los Santos and in the soundtrack of the movie Harold & Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay. The original version of the song was featured in the 2010 film Due Date
Due Date
Due Date is a 2010 American comedy road film directed by Todd Phillips, co-written by Alan R. Cohen, Alan Freedland, and Adam Sztykiel, and starring Robert Downey, Jr. and Zach Galifianakis. The film was released on November 5, 2010...
. In January 2010, Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
released a cover version of the song.
Music video
The music video for "Check Yo Self" makes use of the remix version. Similar to the video for his previous single "It Was A Good DayIt Was a Good Day
"It Was a Good Day" is a 1993 hit single by American gangsta rapper Ice Cube from his third solo album, The Predator. It is the second single from the album and it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was also a hit in the UK Charts, peaking at number 27...
," most of the scenes follow and illustrate respective lyrics of the song. The video continues where "It Was A Good Day" left off, with Ice Cube's home being surrounded and invaded by the LAPD before he is handcuffed and taken under arrest, presumably for murder. Ice Cube is then brought to L.A. County
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is a local county law enforcement agency that serves Los Angeles County, California. It is the fourth largest local policing agency in the United States, with the New York City Police Department being the first. The second largest is the Chicago Police...
jail
Jail
A jail is a short-term detention facility in the United States and Canada.Jail may also refer to:In entertainment:*Jail , a 1966 Malayalam movie*Jail , a 2009 Bollywood movie...
where he spends the majority of the video experiencing the conflict described in the lyrics, such as disputes between cellmates and breaking up with his girlfriend. After six months pass, Ice Cube is able to win over the female guard watching him who helps him break out by dressing him up in a uniform. The two make their way outside to a police cruiser and drive off into the night.
Track listing
- Check Yo' Self (radio remix "The Message")
- Check Yo' Self (remix instrumental)
- It Was a Good DayIt Was a Good Day"It Was a Good Day" is a 1993 hit single by American gangsta rapper Ice Cube from his third solo album, The Predator. It is the second single from the album and it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was also a hit in the UK Charts, peaking at number 27...
(radio remix edit) - It Was a Good DayIt Was a Good Day"It Was a Good Day" is a 1993 hit single by American gangsta rapper Ice Cube from his third solo album, The Predator. It is the second single from the album and it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was also a hit in the UK Charts, peaking at number 27...
(remix instrumental) - 24 with a L
Peak positions
| Chart (1993) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
20 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States.The chart, initiated in 1942, is used to track the success of popular music songs in urban, or primarily African American, venues. Dominated over the years at various times by jazz, rhythm and blues, doo-wop, soul,... |
1 |
| U.S. Billboard Hot Rap Tracks Hot Rap Tracks Rap Songs is a chart released weekly by Billboard in the United States. It lists the 25 most popular hip-hop/rap songs, calculated weekly by airplay on rhythmic and urban radio stations and sales in hip hop-focused or exclusive markets. From 1989 through 2001, it was based on how much the single... |
1 |
| UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
36 |
End of year charts
| End of year chart (1993) | Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard Hot 100 | 86 |
Samples
Original version:- "Mustang SallyMustang Sally (song)"Mustang Sally" is an R&B/straightforward blues first recorded by Mack Rice in 1965. It gained greater popularity when it was covered by Wilson Pickett on a single the following year. Pickett's version was also included on his 1967 album The Wicked Pickett....
" by Wilson PickettWilson PickettWilson Pickett was an American R&B/Soul singer and songwriter.A major figure in the development of American soul music, Pickett recorded over 50 songs which made the US R&B charts, and frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100... - "The New Style" by Beastie BoysBeastie BoysBeastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
- "I'm Blue" by The Sweet Inspirations
Remix version:
- The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious FiveGrandmaster Flash and The Furious FiveGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1978. Composed of one DJ and five rappers Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five was an influential American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in...
- "Deeez Nuuuts" by Dr. DreDr. DreAndre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg, Dat Nigga Daz, Nate DoggNate DoggNathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
and Warren GWarren GWarren G , is an American West Coast rapper and hip hop producer. He is also Dr. Dre's half-brother.His biggest hit is the song "Regulate" with Nate Dogg released in 1994...