Released July 12, 1994 Recorded 1993 Label Priority53816 | Length 3:42 (5:18 video) | |
Genre West Coast hip hop, G-Funk | ||
"Bop Gun (One Nation)" is the third single from Ice Cube's fourth album, Lethal Injection. It samples the Funkadelic song "One Nation Under a Groove". It reached number 6 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and number 23 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.
The term "Bop Gun" was invented and popularized by Parliament and George Clinton in the 1977 song "Bop Gun (Endangered Species)". It is "shot" at the funkless people and fills their heart with funk and enlightenment from false ideology. (George Clinton's Funkcyclopedia)
The video for the single portrays a crazy houseparty at George Clinton's, was directed by Cameron Casey and also features Bootsy Collins and WC. In the ending the music stops with a fadeout and we can finally catch George Clinton holding the Bop Gun.
The song was included on Ice Cube's Greatest Hits album and on the 1996 George Clinton remix album Greatest Funkin' Hits. "Bop Gun (One Nation)" was mixed at Aire LA Studios in Glendale, CA by Raymundo Silva.
The song features lyrics from Tom Tom Club's hit "Genius of Love."
The version of "Bop Gun (One Nation)" featured on "Lethal Injection" is about 11 minutes, while the radio edit clocks in at under 4 minutes.