Ice Cube concert takes Lubbock on '90s hip-hop trip

Saturday was a good day.

For three hours, Cook's Garage took a time machine to the hip-hop scene of the 1990s.

Ice Cube, Cypress Hill and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony transported the crowd of listeners — many who weren't alive when the acts burst on the scene — with the nostalgic tunes that brought the energy of a show 30 years ago.

While a healthy amount of attendees looked like they bumped the release of "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" in their Texas Tech dorm rooms at the time, there were plenty who are probably in those same buildings today.

It was a diverse crowd in many aspects. The ages ranged from X-marked minors to seasoned '90s enthusiasts. There was no standard dress or style, yet it all seemed to mesh together.

The joint concert showed there is a market for hip hop in Lubbock — unless that's reserved for the type of storied lineup seen Saturday.

In that regard, the sizable group that rocked past 11 p.m. shouldn't be a surprise. A concert featuring even one of the artists would've sold out any city back in the day. As mentioned, there were plenty who may not have gotten that chance and were ready to make up for it.

Bone Thugs reflected on as much as they took the stage following Oak Cliff rapper Tye Harris' opening act.

"Let's take it back to 1994," said Wish Bone, with an expletive for emphasis before the "four."

Thus, "Thuggish Ruggish Bone" fueled the beginning of the night of throwbacks. It was a true showcase of '90s classics, with Bone Thugs also dipping into the collection of legends they collaborated with. That included Eazy-E, Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac.

The tributes were a natural lead-in to "Crossroads," which concluded the set.

As the sun went down, clouds rose as Cypress Hill took stage with its leafy green décor. B-Real and Sen Dog had the crowd on fire for an hour, reminding Lubbock that they're "loco."

Following hit after hit, Cypress Hill topped the performance with "Insane in the Membrane" before covering House of Pain's "Jump Around."

With onlookers riding the '90s high, Ice Cube put a bow on the night.

The energetic and engaging West Coast rapper played a humble role at the start, despite the sea of people in front of him. Of course people would want to see Bone Thugs and Cypress Hill, he said, but what about him?

"Can Ice Cube get on the mic and do what we like?" he pondered out loud.

The answer: yes.

Ice Cube embraced his musical roots, even taking it back to his "Straight Outta Compton" days with N.W.A. His setlist stretched to the late 2000s, reminding listeners "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It."

The evening was winding down, and some had been taking advantage of Cook's plastic bags full of beers. Perhaps Ice Cube sensed this, and knew his audience. For his final two songs, he wanted to make sure to "send you off to church well."

After the more recent "Go to Church," Ice Cube gave the people what they wanted, and an "It Was a Good Day" singalong broke out.

"We'll be back to Texas soon," Ice Cube said as the audience dispersed.

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Ice Cube concert takes Lubbock on '90s hip-hop trip