Released on October 29, 1991, as the closing track on *Death Certificate*, **“No Vaseline”** remains one of the most brutal diss tracks in hip-hop history. It was Ice Cube’s explosive retaliation against N.W.A. and their manager Jerry Heller after his departure from the group.
Cube’s lyrics spared no one—he called out Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, DJ Yella, and Heller with ruthless precision. Lines like:
> “Heard you both got the same bank account / Dumb nigga, what you thinkin’ ’bout?”
…exposed financial betrayal. He even crossed the line with an overt threat toward Heller—accused of exploiting the group. The track didn’t just settle a score; it detonated the group’s unity and reputation.
Reddit fans still debate its legendary status:
> “No Vaseline is hands down the best Diss track ever made. Change my mind.”
Critics agree. From its aggressive tone to the unapologetic content, “No Vaseline” is widely hailed as Ice Cube’s finest hour of lyrical combat. The song directly led to N.W.A disbanding—Dre exited, and the group never recovered.
In rap lore, “No Vaseline” isn’t just a diss—it’s a statement of liberation. Cube used it to break free from exploitation and assert his independence. Even today, its venomous verses and cultural impact still resonate—proof that some tracks don’t just hit hard… they leave a crater.