Ice Cube’s at Home, and the Fans Love It

“Who’s the mack?” Ice Cube asked in a song from his hit 1990 album “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.” If the rabid response of the capacity House of Blues crowd on Sunday was any indication, it was certainly Cube himself.

The South-Central Los Angeles native, one of the godfathers of gangsta rap as a founding member of N.W.A., did a veritable hit parade of old songs from his four solo releases and new singles with his Westside Connection clique, featuring Mack-10 and W.C. from the Madd Circle.

Call and response is a rap cliche, but when Cube asked for an assist on one of the many hit songs the fans knew verbatim, they shouted with an enthusiasm that strained their vocal cords.

Cube himself demonstrated that his career as an actor hasn’t softened his effectiveness as a live performer. Stalking the stage in his trademark black jeans and a baggy black shirt, the rapper opened his show with a relentless version of the song “Natural Born Killer”--looking every bit the part.

He also frowned his way through rousing renditions of such hits as N.W.A.’s “F--- Tha Police,” “Steady Mobbin’ ” and the recent “Hoo-Bangin’.” But Ice Cube never took himself so seriously that he concealed his joy at performing in front of a receptive home crowd.

Opening act Ras Kass’ brief set was warmly received. Even if the fans didn’t recognize songs such as “Drama” or the recent “Miami Life,” the rapper--a favorite “freestyler” on KKBT-FM’s mix shows--had enough brio and funky beats to earn their attention.