Ice Cube, Cypress Hill, and D12 Deliver a Night of West Coast Classics at Manchester’s AO Arena

The AO Arena in Manchester recently experienced a journey to the West Coast as Ice Cube, Cypress Hill, and D12 brought the ‘High Rollers Tour experience’ to the city, showcasing the best of the 90s and Noughties era.

Opening the show were rap heavyweights D12, representing the 2000s, and they set the stage on fire for the crowd that filled the AO Arena from the moment the doors opened. The Detroit legends paid tribute to their prime years, with Eminem joining them to perform hits like ‘Lose Yourself’ and ‘Purple Pills,’ taking the audience on a nostalgic trip.

Serving as an excellent support act, D12 did more than just warm up the crowd on a chilly Manchester night. Soon after, Cypress Hill took the stage, proving why they’ve remained relevant for over 32 years. DJ Lord showcased rare turntable skills, intertwining with Bobo’s rapid percussion, while B-Real and Sen Dog energized the lively crowd with tracks like “Dr Greenthumb,” “Rock Superstar,” and “Hits from the Bong.”

The atmosphere reached its peak when Cypress Hill performed the iconic ‘Insane In The Brain,’ transporting the audience to the crazy energy of a Californian show. And then came Ice Cube, making his first UK appearance since 2011 and reminding everyone why he’s been missed.

Ice Cube dominated the stage with no frills—no dancers or gimmicks—accompanied by long-time partner WC. Taking the audience on a journey through his legendary career from the 80s, they performed classics like ‘Natural Born Killaz,’ ‘Why We Thugs,’ and, of course, ‘Straight Outta Compton.’ Cube’s iconic Crip-walk and a reel of film clips playing in the background left the crowd in awe.

The N.W.A legend treated the audience to one of the greatest diss tracks of all time, ‘No Vaseline,’ showcasing his prowess as an MC. The crowd roared for an encore, and as Cube asked if they wanted one more, cheers and applause filled the arena. Signing off with ‘It Was a Good Day,’ Ice Cube left an indelible mark on Manchester, reminding everyone why he’s still one of the best in the game after 35 years. It was a truly special performance, and the memories created that night will undoubtedly linger for a long time.