Ice Cube
Encyclopedia
O'Shea Jackson better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor
. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A.
and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer, director, actor and producer in cinema. Additionally, he has served as one of the producers of the Showtime television series Barbershop and the TBS
series Are We There Yet?
, both of which are based upon films in which he portrayed the lead character.
, in the South Central area, the son of Doris Jackson (née Benjamin), a hospital clerk and custodian, and Hosea Jackson, who worked as a groundskeeper at UCLA
. According to a 2005 interview with Teenink, O'Shea's half-sister was murdered by her boyfriend in a murder-suicide
when he was 12 years old . His cousin is Teren Delvon Jones, also known as Del tha Funkee Homosapien
, who is a part of the rap group Hieroglyphics and who has also worked with Gorillaz
; and Kam
of rap group The Warzone
. At his early teens, Ice Cube developed an interest in hip hop music, and began writing raps in Taft High School
's keyboarding class. He attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology in the fall of 1987, and studied Architectural Drafting. With friend Sir Jinx
, Ice Cube formed the C.I.A.
, and they performed at parties hosted by Dr. Dre
. Young Cube was fourteen years old when he met Dre, nineteen. Dre soon entered the recording industry involved with the World Class Wreckin' Cru
recording records. Dre saw Cube's potential as a writer and had him helping Dre in writing Wreckin Cru's big L.A. hit track, "Cabbage Patch" as well as joining Cube on a side partnership the duo called Stereo Crew by which they produced a twelve-inch record, "She's a Skag" released on Epic Records
in 1986.
, under the alias CIA. After the collaboration, Ice Cube showed Eazy-E
the lyrics to "Boyz-n-the-Hood". Eazy-E, although initially rejecting the lyrics, eventually recorded the song for N.W.A. and the Posse
, the debut album for the group N.W.A that included him, Dre, and other rappers MC Ren
and DJ Yella
.
By this point Ice Cube was a full-time member of N.W.A along with Dr. Dre, and MC Ren
. Ice Cube wrote Dr. Dre and Eazy-E's rhymes for the group's landmark album, Straight Outta Compton
, released in 1988. However, as 1990 approached, Ice Cube found himself at odds with the group's manager, Jerry Heller
, after rejecting Heller's proposed contract terms.
Since Ice Cube wrote the lyrics to approximately half of both Straight Outta Compton, and Eazy-E's solo album, Eazy-Duz-It
, he was advised of the amounts he was truly owed by Heller, and took legal action soon after leaving the group and the label. In response, the remaining N.W.A members attacked him on the EP 100 Miles and Runnin'
and on their next and final album, Efil4zaggin
(Niggaz4life spelled backwards).
(Public Enemy's production team). AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted was released in May 1990 and was an instant hit, riding and contributing to the rising tide of rap's popularity in mainstream society. The album was charged with controversy, and he was accused of misogyny and racism. Subsequently, Ice Cube appointed the female rapper Yo-Yo
(who appeared on AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted) to the head of his own record label and helped produce her debut album, Make Way for the Motherlode. This was followed by a critically acclaimed role as 'Doughboy' in John Singleton's hood-based drama, Boyz n the Hood
. In the same year as AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, Ice Cube released the acclaimed EP
, Kill At Will
which sold well, becoming the first hip hop EP to go both Gold and Platinum.
His 1991 follow-up, Death Certificate
was regarded as more focused, yet even more controversial, and critics accused him again of being anti-white, misogynist, and antisemitic. The album is thematically divided into the 'Death Side' ("a vision of where we are today") and the 'Life Side' ("a vision of where we need to go"). It features "No Vaseline
", a scathing response to N.W.A's attacks and "Black Korea," a track regarded by some as prophetic of the 1992 Los Angeles riots
, but also interpreted as racist by many; it was still being cited years after its release. Ice Cube toured with Lollapalooza
in 1992, which widened his fan base.
Ice Cube released The Predator
in November 1992. Referring specifically to that year's Los Angeles riots, in the first single, "Wicked
", he rapped "April 29 was power to the people, and we might just see a sequel". The Predator debuted at number one on both the pop and R&B charts, the first album in history to do so. Singles from The Predator included "It Was a Good Day
" and the "Check Yo Self
" remix, and the songs had a two-part music video from Sabrina: The Animated Series
. The album remains his most successful release, with over three million copies sold in the US. However, after The Predator, Ice Cube's rap audience diminished. Lethal Injection which was released in the end of 1993 and represented Ice Cube's first attempt at imitating the G-Funk
sound of Dr. Dre's The Chronic
, was not well received by critics. He had more successful hits from Lethal Injection, including "Really Doe
", "Bop Gun (One Nation)
", "You Know How We Do It
" & "What Can I Do?". After 1994, he took a hiatus from music and concentrated on film work and developing the careers of other rap musicians, Mack 10
, Mr. Short Khop
, Kausion
, and Da Lench Mob
.
In 1994, Ice Cube had reunited with former N.W.A member Dr. Dre
, who was now part of Death Row Records
, in their duet "Natural Born Killaz". In 1998, he released his long-awaited solo album, War & Peace Volume 1
. The delayed Volume 2
, was released in 2000. The albums featured appearances from Westside Connection
as well as a reunion with fellow N.W.A members, Dr. Dre and MC Ren, though many fans maintained that the two albums were not on par with his past work, especially the second volume. In 2000, Ice Cube also joined Dr. Dre, Eminem
& Snoop Dogg
on the Up In Smoke Tour
.
In 2006, Ice Cube released his seventh solo album, Laugh Now, Cry Later
, on his Lench Mob Records
label, debuting at number four on the Billboard Charts
and selling 144,000 units in the first week. The album featured production from Lil Jon
and Scott Storch
, who produced the lead single "Why We Thugs
". He released his eighth studio album, Raw Footage
, on August 19, 2008, featuring the controversial single "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
".
On October 12, 2009 he released a non-album track called 'Raider Nation' in tribute to the Oakland Raiders' football team he supports.
On May 11, 2010, Ice Cube released a 30 for 30
documentary, "Straight Outta L.A.", for ESPN
on the relationship between the gangster rap scene in Los Angeles and the tenure of the Raiders
there. He has been voted as eighth of MTV's "greatest emcees of all time."
with Mack 10
and WC
, and together they released an album called Bow Down
. Most of the album was used to engage in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry
of the 90s. The album's eponymous single reached number 21 on the singles charts, and the album itself was certified Platinum
by the end of 1996. With Bow Down, Westside Connection brought their own agenda to the hip hop scene. Ice Cube, Mack 10 and WC had grown tired of being overlooked by most East Coast media outlets; the album was designed to instil a sense of pride in West Coast rap fans and to start a larger movement that some people who felt underappreciated might identify with. Songs like "Bow Down" and "Gangstas Make the World Go 'Round" make reference to this. Ice Cube would also eventually make amends with Eazy-E
shortly before the latter's death in 1995.
After a seven-year hiatus, Westside Connection returned with their second effort Terrorist Threats
in 2003. The album fared well critically, but its commercial reception was less than that of Bow Down. "Gangsta Nation" was the only single released from the album, which was produced by Fredwreck
and featured Nate Dogg
; it was a radio hit. After a rift between Ice Cube and Mack 10 about Ice Cube's commitments to film work rather than touring with the group, Westside Connection disbanded. WC, however, did release a new solo album on Lench Mob Records entitled Guilty by Affiliation
on August 14, 2007.
), Da Lench Mob
(Guerillas in tha Mist
, 1992) and Kam
(Neva Again, 1993), all of which enjoyed critical acclaim and some moderate commercial success. He handled most of the production on Guerillas in tha Mist.
In 1993, Lench Mob member, J-Dee, was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder, and Ice Cube did not produce their next album, Planet of tha Apes. Around this time in 1993, he also worked with Tupac Shakur
and Brendan Dedal on his album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
, appearing on the track "Last Wordz" with Ice-T
. He also did a song with Dr. Dre for the first time since he left N.W.A: "Natural Born Killaz
", for the Murder Was The Case
soundtrack, and also contributed to the Office Space
soundtrack. He also featured on Kool G Rap's song "Two To The Head" from the Kool G Rap & DJ Polo album "Live And Let Die". Ice Cube appeared on the song "Children of the Korn" by the band Korn
, as well as assisting in recording a Korn cover of Wicked, and lent his voice to British DJ Paul Oakenfold
's solo debut album, Bunkka
, on the track "Get Em Up". Ice Cube appeared in several songs in WC
Guilty by Affiliation
like "Keep it 100", "80's babies" and "Jack and the bean stalk". Ice Cube also appeared in D.A.Z.
in the song "Iz You Ready to die" and in DJ Quik
in the song "Boogie Till You Conk Out" in 2011.
on fictional radio station Radio Los Santos.
In late 2005, Ice Cube and R. J. Cutler teamed up to create the six-part documentary series titled Black. White.
, which was broadcast on cable network FX. In May 2006 Ice Cube complained that Oprah Winfrey
would not welcome him and other rappers on her show. Ice Cube's other movie projects include Teacher of the Year, released in 2007, and The Extractors, released in 2008.
He has signed on to star in and produce Welcome Back, Kotter
, a big-screen adaptation of the 1970s television series. Ice Cube will play the title character, originally portrayed by Gabe Kaplan
and his film company, Cube Vision Productions, has sealed a deal with Dimension Films
to bring the show to the big screen.
In a London interview he revealed he is in talks of a collaboration with Gorillaz
after speaking to frontman Damon Albarn
.
In October 2006 Xzibit
, Lil Jon
and WC from the Westside Connection honoured Ice Cube at VH1's Annual Hip Hop Honors, performing some classic Ice Cube tracks, and Ice Cube also performed "Why We Thugs" and "Go To Church" from his album Laugh Now, Cry Later, where the New York crowd were greeted with Cube's vintage Cali sound. After launching that comeback album, Ice Cube toured across the world to promote it. The tour is known as "Straight Outta Compton Tour", and accompanying him is his friend and fellow rapper WC from the Westside Connection. Some places he has recently performed include the Paradiso in Amsterdam
and various venues in England. After touring the U.S. and Europe, he performed all around Australia, from Sydney's Enmore Theatre
to The Forum Arena in Melbourne, before heading to Japan.
Ice Cube collaborated with Tech N9ne
on the song "Blackboy" that appears on Tech N9ne's July 2008 album Killer
. The eighth Ice Cube studio LP, titled Raw Footage
, was released on August 19, 2008, and featured the singles Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
and Do Ya Thang
. Ice Cube appeared on a song by rapper The Game
titled "State of Emergency" off The Game's Album, L.A.X. In 2009, Ice Cube performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos
, and will return to perform at the 2011 festival.
Despite rumors of conflicts with other rappers in 2010, Ice Cube stated in an interview with DJ Whoo Kid
on Sirius Shade 45 that he has "no beef."
Ice Cube's ninth studio album I Am the West was released on September 28, 2010. Ice Cube has stated this album has a different direction than any one of his other albums. He received beats from West coast veteran producers such as DJ Quik
, Dr. Dre
, E-A-Ski
, and Sir Jinx
, not having worked on a solo album with the latter in nearly 20 years. The album was released independently under his label Lench Mob
. Ice Cube has stated that "being independent is beautiful because we can do things 'out the box' that record companies would usually frown at. Instead of working from a ready-made cookie-cutter marketing plan, we can tailor make a marketing plan specifically for me."
In November 2011 Ice Cube stated via Twitter that he was 7 songs into the current album he's recording. He also stated he "always got an album coming out" which suggests that he isn't thinking of rap retirement to focus on acting in the near future.
, in 1992 he starred alongside Ice-T, and Bill Paxton
in Walter Hill's action film, Trespass, and then in The Glass Shield
.
Ice Cube was offered a co-star role with Janet Jackson
in the 1993 romantic film Poetic Justice, but he refused the role, which was given to Tupac Shakur
instead.
John Singleton had encouraged Ice Cube to try his hand at screenwriting, telling him, "If you can write a record, you can write a movie." With this encouragement, Ice Cube wrote the screenplay for what became the 1995 comedy Friday
, in which he also starred, alongside then up-and-coming comedian Chris Tucker
. Friday earned $28 million worldwide on a $3.5 million budget, and spawned two sequels, Next Friday
and Friday After Next
. (On March 9, 2011 he announced that he was making the final sequel called Last Friday). That year, he also starred in his second collaboration with John Singleton, Higher Learning
, as world-weary university student "Fudge"; a role for which he earned award nominations.
In 1997 Ice Cube starred in the action thriller Dangerous Ground
as a South African exiled to America who returns 15 years later. He also had a supporting role in the film Anaconda
that same year. He wrote, executive produced, and made his directorial debut in The Players Club
in 1998, and in 1999 starred alongside George Clooney
and Mark Wahlberg
in the critically acclaimed Three Kings. In 2000, he wrote and appeared in the Friday sequel Next Friday
. In 2002, Ice Cube starred in the commercially successful movie Barbershop
, as well as All About the Benjamins
and the third film in the Friday trilogy, Friday after Next
(which he again wrote). In 2004, he appeared in Barbershop 2: Back in Business
, and Torque
; in 2005 he starred in the action movie XXX: State of the Union
, as well as the comedies Are We There Yet?
and Are We Done Yet?
, co-starring Nia Long
.
In early April 2007 Ice Cube was a guest on Angie Martinez' Hot97 radio show and stated that he was interested in bringing back Chris Tucker as Smokey in a possible Friday sequel, but that was only possible "if New Line cuts the cheque." In an interview with BlackFilm.com, Ice Cube stated that he would be interested in involving all major characters from the Friday franchise in a possible sequel, but added "I know I'm not going to get Chris [Tucker] back, but I'd love to get everybody else back."
In the Movies
is a compilation album of Ice Cube songs that have appeared in movie soundtracks, which was released on September 4, 2007.
Ice Cube and basketball star LeBron James
have paired up to pitch a one-hour special to ABC
based on James's life. Ice Cube's Are We There Yet television series premiered on TBS
on June 2, 2010. Based on the 2005 feature film of the same name
, the show revolves around a family adjusting to the matriarch's new husband (Terry Crews
) and trying to deal with normal family situations. On August 16, 2010, Are We There Yet? was renewed for 90 additional episodes. In an August 2010 interview with UrbLife.com, Ice Cube expressed excitement about the show being picked up for the run, which will pan out to around six seasons. He also credits Tyler Perry
for opening the door for him at TBS.
A father of five, Ice Cube was asked by Fresh Air
's Terry Gross
to provide some perspective on the relationship between his work and his family. When asked whether or not he allowed his children to listen to his music, he responded: "What's worked for me is instilling in my kids a level of self-respect," helping them to understand the content of not just music but the violence found on the evening news. When asked what he tells his children about profanity
, he recalled telling his kids that there are "appropriate times to use any kind of language.... Adults should never hear you use these words. If you want to use these words around your friends, that's really on you." Ice Cube is also the father of rappers OMG and Doughboy, who were featured on his album, I Am the West.
Jackson is also the cousin of rapper Del the Funky Homosapien who started his career writing for Jackson's Group Da Lench Mob
. With Cube's help Del released his debut album I Wish My Brother George Was Here
when he was only 18.
, Ice Cube stated that he is a Sunni Muslim
, having converted sometime in the 1990s. He described his Muslim faith as a simple, personal one that does not involve attending prayer services or following rituals. Although he has spoken favorably of the Nation of Islam
, he denied ever being in the organization.
Independent albums
Extended Plays
with N.W.A
with Westside Connection
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A.
C.I.A. (group)
C.I.A. was a hip hop group, which consisted of K-Dee, Sir Jinx and Ice Cube.The group began playing at parties organized by Dr. Dre, a member of a popular local hip-hop group called World Class Wreckin' Cru. C.I.A. was credited for backing vocals on the WCWC song "Cabbage Patch". Ice Cube and Dr....
and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer, director, actor and producer in cinema. Additionally, he has served as one of the producers of the Showtime television series Barbershop and the TBS
TBS (TV channel)
TBS , stylized in the logo as tbs, is an American cable television channel owned by Time Warner that shows a variety of programming, with a focus on comedy. TBS was originally known as WTCG, a UHF terrestrial television station that broadcast from Atlanta, Georgia, during the late 1970s...
series Are We There Yet?
Are We There Yet? (TV series)
Are We There Yet? is an American television sitcom, which premiered on TBS on June 2, 2010. Based on the 2005 feature film of the same name, it revolves around a family adjusting to the new addition of the matriarch's new husband and trying to deal with normal family situations...
, both of which are based upon films in which he portrayed the lead character.
Early life
Jackson was born on June 15, 1969 in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, in the South Central area, the son of Doris Jackson (née Benjamin), a hospital clerk and custodian, and Hosea Jackson, who worked as a groundskeeper at UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles
The University of California, Los Angeles is a public research university located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, USA. It was founded in 1919 as the "Southern Branch" of the University of California and is the second oldest of the ten campuses...
. According to a 2005 interview with Teenink, O'Shea's half-sister was murdered by her boyfriend in a murder-suicide
Murder-suicide
A murder–suicide is an act in which an individual kills one or more other persons before or at the same time as killing himself or herself. The combination of murder and suicide can take various forms, including:...
when he was 12 years old . His cousin is Teren Delvon Jones, also known as Del tha Funkee Homosapien
Del tha Funkee Homosapien
Teren Delvon Jones , better known as Del the Funky Homosapien or Del tha Funkee Homosapien, is an American MC.-Early life and beginnings: 1990-1997:...
, who is a part of the rap group Hieroglyphics and who has also worked with Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
; and Kam
Kam (rapper)
Kam is an American political emcee known primarily among hip hop fans and music critics during the 1990s. Born in Los Angeles, he is considered an esteemed West Coast underground rapper. He is known for his Nation of Islam-influenced lyrics and membership, and affiliation with his cousin, fellow...
of rap group The Warzone
The Warzone (group)
The Warzone is a West coast rap group consisting of Goldie Loc, MC Eiht, and Kam. The group was born when Snoop Dogg brought the three together, after being unable to find them deals as separate artists, and started production on their album...
. At his early teens, Ice Cube developed an interest in hip hop music, and began writing raps in Taft High School
Taft High School (Los Angeles)
William Howard Taft High School is a public school located on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles, California, USA, within the Los Angeles Unified School District.-History:Taft opened in 1960....
's keyboarding class. He attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology in the fall of 1987, and studied Architectural Drafting. With friend Sir Jinx
Sir Jinx
Sir Jinx, born Anthony Wheaton, is an American hip-hop record producer and rapper from South Central Los Angeles, California.-Beginnings:...
, Ice Cube formed the C.I.A.
C.I.A. (group)
C.I.A. was a hip hop group, which consisted of K-Dee, Sir Jinx and Ice Cube.The group began playing at parties organized by Dr. Dre, a member of a popular local hip-hop group called World Class Wreckin' Cru. C.I.A. was credited for backing vocals on the WCWC song "Cabbage Patch". Ice Cube and Dr....
, and they performed at parties hosted by Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
. Young Cube was fourteen years old when he met Dre, nineteen. Dre soon entered the recording industry involved with the World Class Wreckin' Cru
World Class Wreckin' Cru
The World Class Wreckin' Cru was an electro group, best known for its contributions to early rap and its association with future-N.W.A member, hip-hop mogul, and renowned producer Dr. Dre.-Early Career:...
recording records. Dre saw Cube's potential as a writer and had him helping Dre in writing Wreckin Cru's big L.A. hit track, "Cabbage Patch" as well as joining Cube on a side partnership the duo called Stereo Crew by which they produced a twelve-inch record, "She's a Skag" released on Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
in 1986.
N.W.A
In 1987, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre released the single My PosseMy Posse
-Personnel:...
, under the alias CIA. After the collaboration, Ice Cube showed Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
the lyrics to "Boyz-n-the-Hood". Eazy-E, although initially rejecting the lyrics, eventually recorded the song for N.W.A. and the Posse
N.W.A. and the Posse
N.W.A. and the Posse was a 1987 Macola Records release that compiled various Dr. Dre-produced tracks and was marketed as an album by N.W.A. It includes previously released tracks by N.W.A, Eazy-E, the Fila Fresh Crew, and Rappinstine. The cover photo is the same as N.W.A's "Panic Zone" single and...
, the debut album for the group N.W.A that included him, Dre, and other rappers MC Ren
MC Ren
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
and DJ Yella
DJ Yella
DJ Yella is the stage name of Antoine Carraby , a DJ, drummer, music producer, film director and pornographer from Compton, California. He was a member of the World Class Wreckin' Cru along with Dr. Dre. He later became a founding member of the pioneering gangsta rap group N.W.A...
.
By this point Ice Cube was a full-time member of N.W.A along with Dr. Dre, and MC Ren
MC Ren
Lorenzo Jerald Patterson , better known by his stage name MC Ren, is a rapper who formed part of the group N.W.A. His moniker is derived from his first name .-Early life:...
. Ice Cube wrote Dr. Dre and Eazy-E's rhymes for the group's landmark album, Straight Outta Compton
Straight Outta Compton
The lyrics on the album were mainly written by Ice Cube and MC Ren. Critics of the album expressed their view that the record glamorized Black-on-Black crime, but the emcees stated that the group was simply showing the reality of living in the areas of Compton, California, and South Central Los...
, released in 1988. However, as 1990 approached, Ice Cube found himself at odds with the group's manager, Jerry Heller
Jerry Heller
Jerry Heller is best known for managing West Coast rap group N.W.A. and rapper Eazy-E. He is co-founder and CEO of Ruthless Records. Heller managed War, Average White Band, Marvin Gaye, Michel'le, A.L.T...
, after rejecting Heller's proposed contract terms.
Since Ice Cube wrote the lyrics to approximately half of both Straight Outta Compton, and Eazy-E's solo album, Eazy-Duz-It
Eazy-Duz-It
Eazy-Duz-It is the debut album of rapper Eazy-E, released on September 16, 1988, through both Ruthless and Priority Records. The production by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella was deemed dense and funky by critic Jason Birchmeier. The pieces were written primarily by MC Ren, Ice Cube, and The D.O.C.. The...
, he was advised of the amounts he was truly owed by Heller, and took legal action soon after leaving the group and the label. In response, the remaining N.W.A members attacked him on the EP 100 Miles and Runnin'
100 Miles and Runnin'
100 Miles and Runnin' is the title of an EP by hip hop group N.W.A, released in 1990 on Ruthless Records.Prior to recording the EP, all five of the group members had signed a long-term contract with the Ruthless Records label...
and on their next and final album, Efil4zaggin
Efil4zaggin
- Samples :Prelude* "Hyperbolicsyllabicsesquedalymistic" by Isaac HayesReal Niggaz Don't Die* "UFO" by ESG* "Different Strokes" by Syl Johnson* "Die Nigger!!!" by The Last Poets* "Rise Above" by Black Flag* "Long Red" by Mountain...
(Niggaz4life spelled backwards).
Solo career
In late 1989, Ice Cube recorded his debut solo album in Los Angeles with the Bomb SquadThe Bomb Squad
The Bomb Squad is an American hip hop production team, known for their work with the rap group Public Enemy. The Bomb Squad are noted for their dense, distinct, innovative production style, often utilizing dozens of samples on just one track...
(Public Enemy's production team). AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted was released in May 1990 and was an instant hit, riding and contributing to the rising tide of rap's popularity in mainstream society. The album was charged with controversy, and he was accused of misogyny and racism. Subsequently, Ice Cube appointed the female rapper Yo-Yo
Yo-Yo (rapper)
Yo-Yo is a Grammy-nominated American hardcore rapper and actress. Much of her music has advocated female empowerment, denouncing the frequent sexism found in hip-hop music. She is the protege of gangsta rapper Ice Cube...
(who appeared on AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted) to the head of his own record label and helped produce her debut album, Make Way for the Motherlode. This was followed by a critically acclaimed role as 'Doughboy' in John Singleton's hood-based drama, Boyz n the Hood
Boyz N the Hood
Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 American hood film written and directed by John Singleton. Starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Angela Bassett and Regina King, the film depicts life in poor South Central Los Angeles, California and was filmed and released...
. In the same year as AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, Ice Cube released the acclaimed EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Kill At Will
Kill at Will
-Partial list of samples:"Endangered Species "*"The Payback" by James Brown*"Funky Drummer" by James Brown*"Standin' on the Verge of Gettin' It On" by Funkadelic*"Bop Gun " by Parliament...
which sold well, becoming the first hip hop EP to go both Gold and Platinum.
His 1991 follow-up, Death Certificate
Death Certificate (album)
Death Certificate is the second studio album by American rapper Ice Cube, released October 29, 1991 on Priority Records. Highly anticipated with over one million advanced orders, the album was certified platinum in sales on December 20, 1991...
was regarded as more focused, yet even more controversial, and critics accused him again of being anti-white, misogynist, and antisemitic. The album is thematically divided into the 'Death Side' ("a vision of where we are today") and the 'Life Side' ("a vision of where we need to go"). It features "No Vaseline
No Vaseline
"No Vaseline" was a highly controversial song by Ice Cube from his second album, Death Certificate. The song was produced by Ice Cube and Sir Jinx...
", a scathing response to N.W.A's attacks and "Black Korea," a track regarded by some as prophetic of the 1992 Los Angeles riots
1992 Los Angeles riots
The 1992 Los Angeles Riots or South Central Riots, also known as the 1992 Los Angeles Civil Unrest were sparked on April 29, 1992, when a jury acquitted three white and one hispanic Los Angeles Police Department officers accused in the videotaped beating of black motorist Rodney King following a...
, but also interpreted as racist by many; it was still being cited years after its release. Ice Cube toured with Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
in 1992, which widened his fan base.
Ice Cube released The Predator
The Predator
The Predator is the third studio album by Ice Cube. Released within months of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, many songs comment on the racial tensions. The title is in part reference to the movie Predator 2, and the album itself includes samples from the film...
in November 1992. Referring specifically to that year's Los Angeles riots, in the first single, "Wicked
Wicked (song)
Wicked is the first single from rapper Ice Cube's third studio album The Predator. The song's music video was directed by Marcus Raboy and features the band Red Hot Chili Peppers.The song was covered by Korn for their 1996 album Life Is Peachy...
", he rapped "April 29 was power to the people, and we might just see a sequel". The Predator debuted at number one on both the pop and R&B charts, the first album in history to do so. Singles from The Predator included "It Was a Good Day
It Was a Good Day
"It Was a Good Day" is a 1993 hit single by American gangsta rapper Ice Cube from his third solo album, The Predator. It is the second single from the album and it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was also a hit in the UK Charts, peaking at number 27...
" and the "Check Yo Self
Check Yo Self
"Check Yo Self" is the second hit single from Ice Cube's third solo album The Predator. It was released in July 1993 and features New York rappers Das EFX. It topped both the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop and Rap charts while also reaching number 20 on the Hot 100 chart...
" remix, and the songs had a two-part music video from Sabrina: The Animated Series
Sabrina: The Animated Series
Sabrina: The Animated Series is an American animated television series based on the Archie Comics character Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. It was produced by DIC Entertainment, which was owned by Disney at the time...
. The album remains his most successful release, with over three million copies sold in the US. However, after The Predator, Ice Cube's rap audience diminished. Lethal Injection which was released in the end of 1993 and represented Ice Cube's first attempt at imitating the G-Funk
G-funk
G-funk, or Gangsta-funk, is a sub-genre of hip hop music that emerged from Westcoast gangsta rap in the early 1990s. G-funk incorporates multi-layered and melodic synthesizers, slow hypnotic grooves, a deep bass, background female vocals, the extensive sampling of P-funk tunes, and a high-pitched...
sound of Dr. Dre's The Chronic
The Chronic
The Chronic is the solo debut album of American hip hop artist Dr. Dre, released December 15, 1992, on his own record label Death Row Records, and distributed by Priority Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in June 1992 at Death Row Studios in Los Angeles and at Bernie Grundman...
, was not well received by critics. He had more successful hits from Lethal Injection, including "Really Doe
Really Doe (song)
Really Doe is the first single from rapper Ice Cube's fourth studio album, Lethal Injection. "My Skin Is My Sin" a song which also appeared on the album is the b-side for this song. Really Doe samples "You Gotta Believe It" by The Pointer Sisters and "Lick the Balls" by Slick Rick. This song is...
", "Bop Gun (One Nation)
Bop Gun (One Nation)
"Bop Gun " is the fourth single from Ice Cube's fifth 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....
", "You Know How We Do It
You Know How We Do It
"You Know How We Do It" is the second single from Ice Cube's fourth studio album Lethal Injection. It was released as a 12" single on February 2,1994. A G-funk hit which has the same kind of mood and feeling from The Predator...
" & "What Can I Do?". After 1994, he took a hiatus from music and concentrated on film work and developing the careers of other rap musicians, Mack 10
Mack 10
Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC...
, Mr. Short Khop
Mr. Short Khop
Mr. Short Khop, or simply Short Khop is an American rapper. He encountered Ice Cube in front of a 7 Eleven convenience store in South Central, California. Ice Cube eventually struck a deal with the newcomer, and soon Short Khop made guest appearances in Ice Cube's 1998 War & Peace - Volume 1 ...
, Kausion
Kausion
Kausion was an American rap group composed of Cel, Gonzoe, and Kaydo that was signed to Ice Cube's Lench Mob Records in 1995. They released their debut album, South Central Los Skanless, on October 10, 1995. The album peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 23 on...
, and Da Lench Mob
Da Lench Mob
Da Lench Mob was a West Coast hip hop group associated with Ice Cube. The group consisted of rappers J-Dee, Shorty, T-Bone and Maulkie.-History:The group made its debut on Ice Cube's first solo album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted...
.
In 1994, Ice Cube had reunited with former N.W.A member Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, who was now part of Death Row Records
Death Row Records
Death Row Records is a record label founded in 1991 by Marion "Suge" Knight Jr., Andre Young , Tracy Lynn Curry and Michael Harris . It is known to have been home to many popular West Coast hip hop artists such as Dr...
, in their duet "Natural Born Killaz". In 1998, he released his long-awaited solo album, War & Peace Volume 1
War & Peace - Volume 1 (The War Disc)
War & Peace Vol. 1 is the fifth studio album by American rapper Ice Cube, released November 17, 1998 on Priority Records. It is the first part from the 2 album project War & Peace, the subsequent volume, War & Peace Vol. 2 was released in 2000. The album features production by Bud'da, E-A-Ski,...
. The delayed Volume 2
War & Peace - Volume 2 (The Peace Disc)
War & Peace Vol. 2 is the sixth studio album by American rapper Ice Cube, released March 21, 2000 on Priority Records. It is the second part from the two album project War & Peace, the previous volume, War & Peace Vol. 1 was released in 1998. War & Peace Vol...
, was released in 2000. The albums featured appearances from Westside Connection
Westside Connection
Westside Connection was an American gangsta rap group consisting of Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10. The group's debut album, Bow Down, reached the number 2 position on the Billboard 200 in 1996, going platinum that year.-Biography:...
as well as a reunion with fellow N.W.A members, Dr. Dre and MC Ren, though many fans maintained that the two albums were not on par with his past work, especially the second volume. In 2000, Ice Cube also joined Dr. Dre, Eminem
Eminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
& Snoop Dogg
Snoop Dogg
Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
on the Up In Smoke Tour
Up in Smoke Tour
The Up in Smoke Tour was a West Coast hip hop tour in 2000 featuring artists Ice Cube, Eminem, Proof, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Kurupt, D12, MC Ren, Westside Connection, Mel-Man, Tha Eastsidaz, Doggy's Angels, Devin The Dude, Warren G, TQ, Truth Hurts and Xzibit.- Background :The tour was...
.
In 2006, Ice Cube released his seventh solo album, Laugh Now, Cry Later
Laugh Now, Cry Later
Laugh Now, Cry Later is the seventh studio album by rapper Ice Cube, released on June 6, 2006. It is Ice Cube's first album to be released on his independently owned record label Lench Mob Records and his first studio album in six years. After spending the previous six years mainly doing movie...
, on his Lench Mob Records
Lench Mob Records
Lench Mob Records is an independently owned record label owned by Los Angeles rapper and actor Ice Cube. It was once home to many of Cube's former allies such as DJ Pooh, and Lench Mob's own Chilly Chill, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Kam, female rapper Yo Yo and the group Da Lench Mob...
label, debuting at number four on the Billboard Charts
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
and selling 144,000 units in the first week. The album featured production from Lil Jon
Lil Jon
Jonathan Mortimer Smith , better known by his stage name Lil Jon, is an American rapper, music producer, entrepreneur, and occasional disc jockey who was a member of the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Lil Jon formed the group in 1997, and the group released several albums between then and 2004...
and Scott Storch
Scott Storch
Scott Storch is an American record producer. He produces a variety of music, particularly hip hop, reggaeton, and R&B. His label, Storch Music Company responsible for signing Brooke Hogan and Nox...
, who produced the lead single "Why We Thugs
Why We Thugs
"Why We Thugs" is the first official single on Ice Cube's seventh album Laugh Now, Cry Later. It was released in 2006 and the music video has a cameo appearance by comedian Mike Epps. The song makes references to George W...
". He released his eighth studio album, Raw Footage
Raw Footage
Raw Footage is the eighth studio album by rapper Ice Cube, released on August 19, 2008. The first single, "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It", was released with a music video appearing on his MySpace page on January 3, 2008. The second single is "Do Ya Thang" was released with a music video on his website...
, on August 19, 2008, featuring the controversial single "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
"Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It" is the first single from Ice Cube's studio album, Raw Footage. It was released with a music video on his MySpace page on January 3, 2008. The song contains a "chopped and screwed" line from Cube's previous single, Child Support. Several members of Westside Connection...
".
On October 12, 2009 he released a non-album track called 'Raider Nation' in tribute to the Oakland Raiders' football team he supports.
On May 11, 2010, Ice Cube released a 30 for 30
30 for 30
30 for 30 is the umbrella title for a series of documentaries airing on ESPN and its sister networks. The series, which premiered in October 2009 and concluded in December 2010, chronicles 30 stories from the "ESPN era," each of which detail the issues, trends, people, teams, or events that...
documentary, "Straight Outta L.A.", for ESPN
ESPN
Entertainment and Sports Programming Network, commonly known as ESPN, is an American global cable television network focusing on sports-related programming including live and pre-taped event telecasts, sports talk shows, and other original programming....
on the relationship between the gangster rap scene in Los Angeles and the tenure of the Raiders
Oakland Raiders
The Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
there. He has been voted as eighth of MTV's "greatest emcees of all time."
Westside Connection
In 1996, Ice Cube formed Westside ConnectionWestside Connection
Westside Connection was an American gangsta rap group consisting of Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10. The group's debut album, Bow Down, reached the number 2 position on the Billboard 200 in 1996, going platinum that year.-Biography:...
with Mack 10
Mack 10
Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC...
and WC
WC (rapper)
William L. Calhoun Jr. , better known by his stage name WC , is an American rapper. He was born in Texas, but moved to South Central Los Angeles at an early age. He originally was a rapper in the group Low Profile, and later formed his group WC and the Maad Circle, which also included fellow rapper...
, and together they released an album called Bow Down
Bow Down
Bow Down is the debut album by American gangsta rap group Westside Connection, released on October 22, 1996 through Ice Cube's Lench Mob/Priority Records. It featured production from Bud'da, QDIII and Ice Cube among other producers....
. Most of the album was used to engage in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry
East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry
The East Coast–West Coast Hip Hop Rivalry was a feud in the 1990s between artists and fans of the Eastcoast and Westcoast hip-hop scenes. Seeming focal points of the feud were East Coast-based rapper The Notorious B.I.G...
of the 90s. The album's eponymous single reached number 21 on the singles charts, and the album itself was certified Platinum
RIAA certification
In the United States, the Recording Industry Association of America awards certification based on the number of albums and singles sold through retail and other ancillary markets. Other countries have similar awards...
by the end of 1996. With Bow Down, Westside Connection brought their own agenda to the hip hop scene. Ice Cube, Mack 10 and WC had grown tired of being overlooked by most East Coast media outlets; the album was designed to instil a sense of pride in West Coast rap fans and to start a larger movement that some people who felt underappreciated might identify with. Songs like "Bow Down" and "Gangstas Make the World Go 'Round" make reference to this. Ice Cube would also eventually make amends with Eazy-E
Eazy-E
Eric Lynn Wright , better known by his stage name Eazy-E, was an American rapper who performed solo and in the hip hop group N.W.A. Wright was born to Richard and Kathie Wright in Compton, California...
shortly before the latter's death in 1995.
After a seven-year hiatus, Westside Connection returned with their second effort Terrorist Threats
Terrorist Threats
Terrorist Threats is the second and final album by West Coast rap group Westside Connection, released in 2003 through member Mack 10's label Hoo-Bangin' Records. The album became popular with its single "Gangsta Nation" and was certified Gold....
in 2003. The album fared well critically, but its commercial reception was less than that of Bow Down. "Gangsta Nation" was the only single released from the album, which was produced by Fredwreck
Fredwreck
Farid Karam Nassar, better known as Fredwreck is a record producer from Los Angeles, California. He got his big break when he became a producer for Dr. Dre's newly founded Aftermath Records label, and went on to work with Snoop Dogg's record label Dogghouse Records and became a known producer on...
and featured Nate Dogg
Nate Dogg
Nathaniel Dwayne Hale , better known by his stage name Nate Dogg, was an American musician. He is noted for his membership of rap trio 213 and his solo career in which he collaborated with Dr. Dre, Warren G, Tupac and Snoop Dogg on many hit releases. Nate Dogg released three solo albums, G-Funk...
; it was a radio hit. After a rift between Ice Cube and Mack 10 about Ice Cube's commitments to film work rather than touring with the group, Westside Connection disbanded. WC, however, did release a new solo album on Lench Mob Records entitled Guilty by Affiliation
Guilty by Affiliation
Guilty by Affiliation is the third studio album by American rapper WC. It was released on August 14, 2007 by Ice Cube's independent label, Lench Mob Records. Ice Cube, The Game, Snoop Dogg and Butch Cassidy make guest appearances.- Track listing :...
on August 14, 2007.
Collaborations
In 1992 Ice Cube assisted on debut albums from Del the Funkee Homosapien (I Wish My Brother George Was HereI Wish My Brother George Was Here
I Wish My Brother George Was Here is the debut album released by Del tha Funkee Homosapien. The title of the album is a reference to George Clinton, whose music was an influence on Del, as well as to the late pianist Liberace who would on occasion openly pine for his brother George to appear on...
), Da Lench Mob
Da Lench Mob
Da Lench Mob was a West Coast hip hop group associated with Ice Cube. The group consisted of rappers J-Dee, Shorty, T-Bone and Maulkie.-History:The group made its debut on Ice Cube's first solo album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted...
(Guerillas in tha Mist
Guerillas in tha Mist
Guerillas in tha Mist is the debut album by Da Lench Mob, who originally appeared on Ice Cube's debut solo album, Amerikkka's Most Wanted. The titular "Guerillas in tha Mist" was a hit at the release of the album, which also appears in the video game Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, on the fictional...
, 1992) and Kam
Kam (rapper)
Kam is an American political emcee known primarily among hip hop fans and music critics during the 1990s. Born in Los Angeles, he is considered an esteemed West Coast underground rapper. He is known for his Nation of Islam-influenced lyrics and membership, and affiliation with his cousin, fellow...
(Neva Again, 1993), all of which enjoyed critical acclaim and some moderate commercial success. He handled most of the production on Guerillas in tha Mist.
In 1993, Lench Mob member, J-Dee, was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder, and Ice Cube did not produce their next album, Planet of tha Apes. Around this time in 1993, he also worked with Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
and Brendan Dedal on his album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
2Pac's "Keep Ya Head Up " [previously-unreleased] from The Outlawz' 2Pac: Evolution 12-CD box set :goo.gl/5K81bEven more unreleased mp3s from the 2Pac: Evolution 12-CD box set:goo.gl/T5dw4...
, appearing on the track "Last Wordz" with Ice-T
ICE-T
* Ice-T, an American rapper and actor* ICE T , a tilting model of the German InterCityExpress series of high-speed trains...
. He also did a song with Dr. Dre for the first time since he left N.W.A: "Natural Born Killaz
Natural Born Killaz
"Natural Born Killaz" is a single from the reunited duo of Dr. Dre and Ice Cube originally intended for the scrapped album 'Heltah Skeltah'. It is the first time the two had been on a single together since their rap group N.W.A had split up. The single was released in 1994 in the US and 1995 in the...
", for the Murder Was The Case
Murder Was the Case
Murder Was the Case is a 1994 short film and soundtrack album starring Snoop Doggy Dogg. The 18 minute film was directed by Dr. Dre and Fab Five Freddy and chronicles the fictional death of Snoop Dogg and his resurrection after making a deal with the Devil...
soundtrack, and also contributed to the Office Space
Office Space
Office Space is a 1999 American comedy film satirizing work life in a typical 1990s software company. Written and directed by Mike Judge, it focuses on a handful of individuals fed up with their jobs portrayed by Ron Livingston, Jennifer Aniston, Gary Cole, David Herman, Ajay Naidu, and Diedrich...
soundtrack. He also featured on Kool G Rap's song "Two To The Head" from the Kool G Rap & DJ Polo album "Live And Let Die". Ice Cube appeared on the song "Children of the Korn" by the band Korn
Korn
Korn is an American nu metal band from Bakersfield, California, formed in 1993. The current band line up includes four members: Jonathan Davis, James "Munky" Shaffer, Reginald "Fieldy" Arvizu, and Ray Luzier. The band was formed as an expansion of L.A.P.D.The band released their first demo album,...
, as well as assisting in recording a Korn cover of Wicked, and lent his voice to British DJ Paul Oakenfold
Paul Oakenfold
Paul Mark Oakenfold is a British record producer and a trance DJ.-Early Career: 1979–84:Paul Oakenfold's career was set to be a chef, after having hopes of becoming part of a band. He describes his early life as a "bedroom deejay" in a podcasted interview with Vancouver's 24 Hours, stating he grew...
's solo debut album, Bunkka
Bunkka
Bunkka is the title of an album by electronica artist and DJ Paul Oakenfold. It was released in 2002 under the Maverick label.It is also Oakenfold's best selling album to date, with sales exceeding 1,000,000 copies worldwide.- Track listing :...
, on the track "Get Em Up". Ice Cube appeared in several songs in WC
WC
-Computing:* wc , a Unix utility used for counting words and lines in a file* Wing Commander , a video game media franchise* Write-combining, a computing performance method of combining multiple memory writes before sending them-Industry:...
Guilty by Affiliation
Guilty by Affiliation
Guilty by Affiliation is the third studio album by American rapper WC. It was released on August 14, 2007 by Ice Cube's independent label, Lench Mob Records. Ice Cube, The Game, Snoop Dogg and Butch Cassidy make guest appearances.- Track listing :...
like "Keep it 100", "80's babies" and "Jack and the bean stalk". Ice Cube also appeared in D.A.Z.
D.A.Z.
D.A.Z. is the thirteenth studio album by rapper Daz Dillinger. It was released on April 19, 2011 through Gangsta Advisory Recordingz Inc.-Track listing:...
in the song "Iz You Ready to die" and in DJ Quik
DJ Quik
David Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
in the song "Boogie Till You Conk Out" in 2011.
2004–2010
In 2004, his hit singles "Check Yo Self", "It Was a Good Day" and affiliated song "Guerrillas in tha Mist" with Da Lench Mob appeared on popular video game Grand Theft Auto: San AndreasGrand Theft Auto: San Andreas
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is a 2004 open world action video game developed by British games developer Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games. It is the third 3D game in the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise, the fifth original console release and eighth game overall...
on fictional radio station Radio Los Santos.
In late 2005, Ice Cube and R. J. Cutler teamed up to create the six-part documentary series titled Black. White.
Black. White.
Black. White. was a reality television show on FX. It premiered on Wednesday March 8, 2006 at 10 p.m. Eastern. The series followed two families of three, one white, and the other black. Through studio quality make-up, the two families—the Wurgels and the Sparks—traded races and...
, which was broadcast on cable network FX. In May 2006 Ice Cube complained that Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey
Oprah Winfrey is an American media proprietor, talk show host, actress, producer and philanthropist. Winfrey is best known for her self-titled, multi-award-winning talk show, which has become the highest-rated program of its kind in history and was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2011...
would not welcome him and other rappers on her show. Ice Cube's other movie projects include Teacher of the Year, released in 2007, and The Extractors, released in 2008.
He has signed on to star in and produce Welcome Back, Kotter
Welcome Back, Kotter
Welcome Back, Kotter was an American television sitcom starring Gabe Kaplan and featuring a young John Travolta.It originally aired on the ABC network from September 9, 1975 to June 8, 1979.-Premise:...
, a big-screen adaptation of the 1970s television series. Ice Cube will play the title character, originally portrayed by Gabe Kaplan
Gabe Kaplan
Gabriel W. "Gabe" Kaplan is an American comedian, actor, poker commentator, and professional poker player.He was born in Brooklyn, New York...
and his film company, Cube Vision Productions, has sealed a deal with Dimension Films
Dimension Films
Dimension Films is a motion picture unit currently a part of The Weinstein Company. It was formerly used as Bob Weinstein's label within Miramax Films, to produce and release genre films...
to bring the show to the big screen.
In a London interview he revealed he is in talks of a collaboration with Gorillaz
Gorillaz
Gorillaz is an English musical project created in 1998 by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett. This project consists of Gorillaz music itself and an extensive fictional universe depicting a "virtual band" of cartoon characters...
after speaking to frontman Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn
Damon Albarn is an English singer-songwriter and record producer who has been involved in many high profile projects, coming to prominence as the frontman and primary songwriter of Britpop band Blur...
.
In October 2006 Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
, Lil Jon
Lil Jon
Jonathan Mortimer Smith , better known by his stage name Lil Jon, is an American rapper, music producer, entrepreneur, and occasional disc jockey who was a member of the group Lil Jon & The East Side Boyz. Lil Jon formed the group in 1997, and the group released several albums between then and 2004...
and WC from the Westside Connection honoured Ice Cube at VH1's Annual Hip Hop Honors, performing some classic Ice Cube tracks, and Ice Cube also performed "Why We Thugs" and "Go To Church" from his album Laugh Now, Cry Later, where the New York crowd were greeted with Cube's vintage Cali sound. After launching that comeback album, Ice Cube toured across the world to promote it. The tour is known as "Straight Outta Compton Tour", and accompanying him is his friend and fellow rapper WC from the Westside Connection. Some places he has recently performed include the Paradiso in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
and various venues in England. After touring the U.S. and Europe, he performed all around Australia, from Sydney's Enmore Theatre
Enmore Theatre
The Enmore Theatre is a theatre and entertainment venue in Sydney. It is located on Enmore Road in the suburb of Enmore, south-west of the adjoining suburb, Newtown. It is a medium-sized venue...
to The Forum Arena in Melbourne, before heading to Japan.
Ice Cube collaborated with Tech N9ne
Tech N9ne
Aaron Dontez Yates , better known by his stage name Tech N9ne , is an American rapper from Kansas City, Missouri. In 1999, Yates and Travis O'Guin founded the record label Strange Music. Throughout his career, Yates has sold over one million albums and has had his music featured in film,...
on the song "Blackboy" that appears on Tech N9ne's July 2008 album Killer
Killer (Tech N9ne album)
Killer is the eighth studio album by rapper Tech N9ne. Killers album cover pays homage to Michael Jackson’s iconic "Thriller" album cover. With Killer, Tech N9ne has SoundScanned his 1 millionth album independently....
. The eighth Ice Cube studio LP, titled Raw Footage
Raw Footage
Raw Footage is the eighth studio album by rapper Ice Cube, released on August 19, 2008. The first single, "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It", was released with a music video appearing on his MySpace page on January 3, 2008. The second single is "Do Ya Thang" was released with a music video on his website...
, was released on August 19, 2008, and featured the singles Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
"Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It" is the first single from Ice Cube's studio album, Raw Footage. It was released with a music video on his MySpace page on January 3, 2008. The song contains a "chopped and screwed" line from Cube's previous single, Child Support. Several members of Westside Connection...
and Do Ya Thang
Do Ya Thang
"Do Ya Thang" is the second single from Ice Cube's eighth solo studio album, Raw Footage released August 19th. It was released with a music video on his website on July 1, 2008.-Charts:...
. Ice Cube appeared on a song by rapper The Game
The Game (rapper)
Jayceon Terrell Taylor , better known by his stage name Game, formerly The Game, is an American rapper and actor. As a member of G-Unit, he rose to fame in 2005 with the success of his debut album, The Documentary, which earned him two Grammy Award nominations...
titled "State of Emergency" off The Game's Album, L.A.X. In 2009, Ice Cube performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos
Gathering of the Juggalos
The Gathering of the Juggalos is an annual festival put on by Psychopathic Records, featuring performances by the entire label as well as numerous well-known musical groups and underground artists. It was founded by Robert Bruce, Insane Clown Posse , and their label in 2000...
, and will return to perform at the 2011 festival.
Despite rumors of conflicts with other rappers in 2010, Ice Cube stated in an interview with DJ Whoo Kid
DJ Whoo Kid
DJ Whoo Kid is a hip hop DJ and of Haitian descent raised in Queens Village, New York but with strong roots to Cap-Haïtien, Haiti. He is currently signed to G-Unit Records and its subsidiary label, Shady Ville Entertainment...
on Sirius Shade 45 that he has "no beef."
Ice Cube's ninth studio album I Am the West was released on September 28, 2010. Ice Cube has stated this album has a different direction than any one of his other albums. He received beats from West coast veteran producers such as DJ Quik
DJ Quik
David Martin Blake , better known by his stage name DJ Quik, is an MC and record producer. According to Quik himself, his stage name reflects his ability to produce records in short time....
, Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre
Andre Romelle Young , primarily known by his stage name Dr. Dre, is an American record producer, rapper, record executive, entrepreneur, and occasional actor. He is the founder and current CEO of Aftermath Entertainment and a former co-owner and artist of Death Row Records...
, E-A-Ski
E-A-Ski
Shon Adams, better known by his stage name E-A-Ski, is an American rapper and producer from Oakland, California. In the early 1990s he was signed to Master P's No Limit Records, when it was based in Richmond, California. He served as both a rapper and producer for the label, producing on Master...
, and Sir Jinx
Sir Jinx
Sir Jinx, born Anthony Wheaton, is an American hip-hop record producer and rapper from South Central Los Angeles, California.-Beginnings:...
, not having worked on a solo album with the latter in nearly 20 years. The album was released independently under his label Lench Mob
Lench Mob Records
Lench Mob Records is an independently owned record label owned by Los Angeles rapper and actor Ice Cube. It was once home to many of Cube's former allies such as DJ Pooh, and Lench Mob's own Chilly Chill, Del tha Funkee Homosapien, Kam, female rapper Yo Yo and the group Da Lench Mob...
. Ice Cube has stated that "being independent is beautiful because we can do things 'out the box' that record companies would usually frown at. Instead of working from a ready-made cookie-cutter marketing plan, we can tailor make a marketing plan specifically for me."
In November 2011 Ice Cube stated via Twitter that he was 7 songs into the current album he's recording. He also stated he "always got an album coming out" which suggests that he isn't thinking of rap retirement to focus on acting in the near future.
Film and television career
Following his role as 'Doughboy' in Boyz N The HoodBoyz N the Hood
Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 American hood film written and directed by John Singleton. Starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Angela Bassett and Regina King, the film depicts life in poor South Central Los Angeles, California and was filmed and released...
, in 1992 he starred alongside Ice-T, and Bill Paxton
Bill Paxton
William "Bill" Paxton is an American actor and film director. He gained popularity after starring roles in the films Apollo 13, Twister, Aliens, True Lies, and Titanic...
in Walter Hill's action film, Trespass, and then in The Glass Shield
The Glass Shield
The Glass Shield is a 1995 crime drama film starring Ice Cube, Michael Boatman and Lori Petty, directed by Charles Burnett.-Plot:Deputy John Johnson is a rookie in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and the first black deputy at the station to which he is assigned...
.
Ice Cube was offered a co-star role with Janet Jackson
Janet Jackson
Janet Damita Jo Jackson is an American recording artist and actress. Known for a series of sonically innovative, socially conscious and sexually provocative records, as well as elaborate stage shows, television and film roles, she has been a prominent figure in popular culture for over 25 years...
in the 1993 romantic film Poetic Justice, but he refused the role, which was given to Tupac Shakur
Tupac Shakur
Tupac Amaru Shakur , known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Shakur has sold over 75 million albums worldwide as of 2007, making him one of the best-selling music artists in the world...
instead.
John Singleton had encouraged Ice Cube to try his hand at screenwriting, telling him, "If you can write a record, you can write a movie." With this encouragement, Ice Cube wrote the screenplay for what became the 1995 comedy Friday
Friday (film)
Friday is a 1995 stoner comedy-drama-buddy film directed by F. Gary Gray. Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Tommy Lister, Jr...
, in which he also starred, alongside then up-and-coming comedian Chris Tucker
Chris Tucker
Christopher "Chris" Tucker is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing the role of Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour film series.-Early life:...
. Friday earned $28 million worldwide on a $3.5 million budget, and spawned two sequels, Next Friday
Next Friday
Next Friday is a 2000 comedy film, and the sequel to the 1995 film Friday. This is the first film to be produced by producer Ice Cube's film production company Cubevision...
and Friday After Next
Friday After Next
Friday After Next is a 2002 comedy film directed by Marcus Raboy, starring Ice Cube and Mike Epps. It is the third installment in the Friday series, and the sequel to the 2000 film Next Friday.-Plot:...
. (On March 9, 2011 he announced that he was making the final sequel called Last Friday). That year, he also starred in his second collaboration with John Singleton, Higher Learning
Higher Learning
Higher Learning is a 1995 American drama film, starring an ensemble cast. It also featured Tyra Banks' first performance in a theatrical film...
, as world-weary university student "Fudge"; a role for which he earned award nominations.
In 1997 Ice Cube starred in the action thriller Dangerous Ground
Dangerous Ground
Dangerous Ground is a 1997 thriller starring Ice Cube and Elizabeth Hurley. It was directed by Darrell Roodt and written by Greg Latter and Darrell Roodt.-Plot:...
as a South African exiled to America who returns 15 years later. He also had a supporting role in the film Anaconda
Anaconda (film)
Anaconda is a 1997, adventure-horror film, directed by Luis Llosa, starring Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Owen Wilson, and Eric Stoltz. It centers around a film crew for National Geographic who are kidnapped by a hunter who is going after the world's largest giant anaconda, which is...
that same year. He wrote, executive produced, and made his directorial debut in The Players Club
The Players Club
The Players Club is a 1998 comedy/drama thriller film from New Line Cinema starring Bernie Mac, LisaRaye, and Jamie Foxx. Ice Cube, who has a small role in the film, wrote and made his directorial debut. The movie made $5,894,607 in its opening week...
in 1998, and in 1999 starred alongside George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
and Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Robert Michael Wahlberg is an American actor, film and television producer, and former rapper. He was known as Marky Mark in his earlier years, and became famous for his 1991 debut as a musician with the band Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch. He was named No. 1 on VH1's 40 Hottest Hotties of...
in the critically acclaimed Three Kings. In 2000, he wrote and appeared in the Friday sequel Next Friday
Next Friday
Next Friday is a 2000 comedy film, and the sequel to the 1995 film Friday. This is the first film to be produced by producer Ice Cube's film production company Cubevision...
. In 2002, Ice Cube starred in the commercially successful movie Barbershop
Barbershop (film)
Barbershop is a 2002 American comedy film directed by Tim Story, produced by State Street Pictures and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on September 13, 2002. Starring Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, and Anthony Anderson, the movie revolves around social life in a barbershop on the South Side of...
, as well as All About the Benjamins
All about the Benjamins
All About the Benjamins is a 2002 action movie/comedy movie directed by Kevin Bray, and starring Ice Cube and Mike Epps as a bounty hunter and repeat offender who join forces to find a group of diamond thieves, the former for glory, and the latter to retrieve a winning lottery ticket.-Cast:*Ice...
and the third film in the Friday trilogy, Friday after Next
Friday After Next
Friday After Next is a 2002 comedy film directed by Marcus Raboy, starring Ice Cube and Mike Epps. It is the third installment in the Friday series, and the sequel to the 2000 film Next Friday.-Plot:...
(which he again wrote). In 2004, he appeared in Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Barbershop 2: Back in Business
Barbershop 2: Black in Business is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, produced by State Street Pictures and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on February 6, 2004...
, and Torque
Torque (film)
-Similarities to The Fast and the Furious:The film has often been called "The Fast and the Furious on Motorcycles", referring to the use of many of the same thematic elements between the two films...
; in 2005 he starred in the action movie XXX: State of the Union
XXX: State of the Union
xXx: State of the Union, mainly released as xXx²: The Next Level outside the United States and Canada, is a 2005 action-adventure film directed by Lee Tamahori. It is a sequel to the 2002 film xXx...
, as well as the comedies Are We There Yet?
Are We There Yet?
Are We There Yet? is a 2005 American family comedy film which was produced by Revolution Studios and was distributed by Columbia Pictures, directed by Brian Levant...
and Are We Done Yet?
Are We Done Yet?
Are We Done Yet? is a 2007 family comedy film starring Ice Cube. The film is both a remake of the classic Cary Grant comedy Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and a sequel to 2005's comedy Are We There Yet? The film was directed by Steve Carr from a screenplay by Hank Nelken...
, co-starring Nia Long
Nia Long
Nia Talita Long is an American actress and occasional music video director. She is best known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch, and the films Boiler Room, Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, Big Momma's House 2, Are We There...
.
In early April 2007 Ice Cube was a guest on Angie Martinez' Hot97 radio show and stated that he was interested in bringing back Chris Tucker as Smokey in a possible Friday sequel, but that was only possible "if New Line cuts the cheque." In an interview with BlackFilm.com, Ice Cube stated that he would be interested in involving all major characters from the Friday franchise in a possible sequel, but added "I know I'm not going to get Chris [Tucker] back, but I'd love to get everybody else back."
In the Movies
In the Movies
In the Movies is a 2007 album by Ice Cube. It is a compilation of tracks that have appeared in movies from 1991 with Boyz n the Hood to 2005 with xXx: State of the Union. It was released on September 4, 2007 and in Australia on September 24, 2007. The album was confused for a studio album prior to...
is a compilation album of Ice Cube songs that have appeared in movie soundtracks, which was released on September 4, 2007.
Ice Cube and basketball star LeBron James
LeBron James
LeBron Raymone James is an American professional basketball player for the Miami Heat of the National Basketball Association . Nicknamed "King James", he was a three-time "Mr. Basketball" of Ohio in high school, and was highly promoted in the national media as a future NBA superstar while a...
have paired up to pitch a one-hour special to ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
based on James's life. Ice Cube's Are We There Yet television series premiered on TBS
TBS (TV channel)
TBS , stylized in the logo as tbs, is an American cable television channel owned by Time Warner that shows a variety of programming, with a focus on comedy. TBS was originally known as WTCG, a UHF terrestrial television station that broadcast from Atlanta, Georgia, during the late 1970s...
on June 2, 2010. Based on the 2005 feature film of the same name
Are We There Yet?
Are We There Yet? is a 2005 American family comedy film which was produced by Revolution Studios and was distributed by Columbia Pictures, directed by Brian Levant...
, the show revolves around a family adjusting to the matriarch's new husband (Terry Crews
Terry Crews
Terrence Alan "Terry" Crews is an American actor, comedian, voice artist and a former player in the National Football League....
) and trying to deal with normal family situations. On August 16, 2010, Are We There Yet? was renewed for 90 additional episodes. In an August 2010 interview with UrbLife.com, Ice Cube expressed excitement about the show being picked up for the run, which will pan out to around six seasons. He also credits Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry is an American actor, director, playwright, entrepreneur, screenwriter, producer, author, and songwriter. Perry wrote and produced many stage plays during the 1990s and early 2000s. In 2005, he released his first film, Diary of a Mad Black Woman...
for opening the door for him at TBS.
Clothing line
Ice Cube has licenced a clothing line, SOLO by Cube, which features hooded sweatshirts with built-in headphones in the hood strings.Family
He married Kimberly Woodruff in 1992, with whom he has five children (three boys, two girls) - O'Shea Jr., Darrel, Shareef and Karima, Deja.A father of five, Ice Cube was asked by Fresh Air
Fresh Air
Fresh Air is an American radio talk show broadcast on National Public Radio stations across the United States. The show is produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Its longtime host is Terry Gross. , the show was syndicated to 450 stations and claimed 4.5 million listeners. The show...
's Terry Gross
Terry Gross
Terry Gross is the host and co-executive producer of Fresh Air, an interview format radio show produced by WHYY-FM in Philadelphia and distributed throughout the United States by National Public Radio....
to provide some perspective on the relationship between his work and his family. When asked whether or not he allowed his children to listen to his music, he responded: "What's worked for me is instilling in my kids a level of self-respect," helping them to understand the content of not just music but the violence found on the evening news. When asked what he tells his children about profanity
Profanity
Profanity is a show of disrespect, or a desecration or debasement of someone or something. Profanity can take the form of words, expressions, gestures, or other social behaviors that are socially constructed or interpreted as insulting, rude, vulgar, obscene, desecrating, or other forms.The...
, he recalled telling his kids that there are "appropriate times to use any kind of language.... Adults should never hear you use these words. If you want to use these words around your friends, that's really on you." Ice Cube is also the father of rappers OMG and Doughboy, who were featured on his album, I Am the West.
Jackson is also the cousin of rapper Del the Funky Homosapien who started his career writing for Jackson's Group Da Lench Mob
Da Lench Mob
Da Lench Mob was a West Coast hip hop group associated with Ice Cube. The group consisted of rappers J-Dee, Shorty, T-Bone and Maulkie.-History:The group made its debut on Ice Cube's first solo album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted...
. With Cube's help Del released his debut album I Wish My Brother George Was Here
I Wish My Brother George Was Here
I Wish My Brother George Was Here is the debut album released by Del tha Funkee Homosapien. The title of the album is a reference to George Clinton, whose music was an influence on Del, as well as to the late pianist Liberace who would on occasion openly pine for his brother George to appear on...
when he was only 18.
Religion
In an interview with British newspaper The GuardianThe Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, Ice Cube stated that he is a Sunni Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, having converted sometime in the 1990s. He described his Muslim faith as a simple, personal one that does not involve attending prayer services or following rituals. Although he has spoken favorably of the Nation of Islam
Nation of Islam
The Nation of Islam is a mainly African-American new religious movement founded in Detroit, Michigan by Wallace D. Fard Muhammad in July 1930 to improve the spiritual, mental, social, and economic condition of African-Americans in the United States of America. The movement teaches black pride and...
, he denied ever being in the organization.
Discography
Studio albums- 1990: AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
- 1991: Death CertificateDeath Certificate (album)Death Certificate is the second studio album by American rapper Ice Cube, released October 29, 1991 on Priority Records. Highly anticipated with over one million advanced orders, the album was certified platinum in sales on December 20, 1991...
- 1992: The PredatorThe PredatorThe Predator is the third studio album by Ice Cube. Released within months of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, many songs comment on the racial tensions. The title is in part reference to the movie Predator 2, and the album itself includes samples from the film...
- 1993: Lethal Injection
- 1998: War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc)
- 2000: War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)
Independent albums
- 2006: Laugh Now, Cry LaterLaugh Now, Cry LaterLaugh Now, Cry Later is the seventh studio album by rapper Ice Cube, released on June 6, 2006. It is Ice Cube's first album to be released on his independently owned record label Lench Mob Records and his first studio album in six years. After spending the previous six years mainly doing movie...
- 2008: Raw FootageRaw FootageRaw Footage is the eighth studio album by rapper Ice Cube, released on August 19, 2008. The first single, "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It", was released with a music video appearing on his MySpace page on January 3, 2008. The second single is "Do Ya Thang" was released with a music video on his website...
- 2010: I Am the West
Extended Plays
- 1990: Kill at WillKill at Will-Partial list of samples:"Endangered Species "*"The Payback" by James Brown*"Funky Drummer" by James Brown*"Standin' on the Verge of Gettin' It On" by Funkadelic*"Bop Gun " by Parliament...
with N.W.A
- 1988 "Straight Outta ComptonStraight Outta ComptonThe lyrics on the album were mainly written by Ice Cube and MC Ren. Critics of the album expressed their view that the record glamorized Black-on-Black crime, but the emcees stated that the group was simply showing the reality of living in the areas of Compton, California, and South Central Los...
"
with Westside Connection
Westside Connection
Westside Connection was an American gangsta rap group consisting of Ice Cube, WC and Mack 10. The group's debut album, Bow Down, reached the number 2 position on the Billboard 200 in 1996, going platinum that year.-Biography:...
- 1996 "Bow DownBow DownBow Down is the debut album by American gangsta rap group Westside Connection, released on October 22, 1996 through Ice Cube's Lench Mob/Priority Records. It featured production from Bud'da, QDIII and Ice Cube among other producers....
" - 2003 "Terrorist ThreatsTerrorist ThreatsTerrorist Threats is the second and final album by West Coast rap group Westside Connection, released in 2003 through member Mack 10's label Hoo-Bangin' Records. The album became popular with its single "Gangsta Nation" and was certified Gold....
"
Films
| Title | Year | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boyz n the Hood Boyz N the Hood Boyz n the Hood is a 1991 American hood film written and directed by John Singleton. Starring Cuba Gooding, Jr., Ice Cube, Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Angela Bassett and Regina King, the film depicts life in poor South Central Los Angeles, California and was filmed and released... |
1991 | Darin "Doughboy" Baker | Main Role |
| Trespass | 1992 | Savon | Main Role |
| CB4 CB4 CB4 is a 1993 comedy film directed by Tamra Davis, and starring Chris Rock. The film follows a fictional rap group named 'CB4', named after the prison block in which the group was allegedly formed... |
1993 | himself | Cameo |
| The Glass Shield The Glass Shield The Glass Shield is a 1995 crime drama film starring Ice Cube, Michael Boatman and Lori Petty, directed by Charles Burnett.-Plot:Deputy John Johnson is a rookie in the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department and the first black deputy at the station to which he is assigned... |
1995 | Teddy Woods | Main Role |
| Higher Learning Higher Learning Higher Learning is a 1995 American drama film, starring an ensemble cast. It also featured Tyra Banks' first performance in a theatrical film... |
1995 | Fudge | Main Role |
| Friday Friday (film) Friday is a 1995 stoner comedy-drama-buddy film directed by F. Gary Gray. Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Tommy Lister, Jr... |
1995 | Craig Jones | Main Role |
| Dangerous Ground Dangerous Ground Dangerous Ground is a 1997 thriller starring Ice Cube and Elizabeth Hurley. It was directed by Darrell Roodt and written by Greg Latter and Darrell Roodt.-Plot:... |
1997 | Vusi Madlazi | Main Role |
| Anaconda Anaconda (film) Anaconda is a 1997, adventure-horror film, directed by Luis Llosa, starring Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voight, Owen Wilson, and Eric Stoltz. It centers around a film crew for National Geographic who are kidnapped by a hunter who is going after the world's largest giant anaconda, which is... |
1997 | Danny Rich | Main Role |
| The Players Club The Players Club The Players Club is a 1998 comedy/drama thriller film from New Line Cinema starring Bernie Mac, LisaRaye, and Jamie Foxx. Ice Cube, who has a small role in the film, wrote and made his directorial debut. The movie made $5,894,607 in its opening week... |
1998 | Reggie | Minor Role |
| I Got The Hook Up I Got the Hook Up I Got the Hook-Up is a 1998 crime comedy film, starring A.J. Johnson and Master P, and directed by Michael Martin. This was No Limit Records first theatrical release.-Plot:... |
1998 | Gun Runner | Minor Role |
| Three Kings | 1999 | SSgt. Chief Elgin | Main Role |
| Thicker Than Water Thicker Than Water (1999 film) Thicker Than Water is a 1999 film starring a host of rappers and urban entertainers such as Fat Joe, Mack 10, Ice Cube, MC Eiht, and others. The film contains rappers from both the East and the West Coast, as it was made after the end of the East Coast-West Coast feud.-Cast:*Mack 10 as DJ*Fat Joe... |
1999 | Slink | Supporting Role |
| Next Friday Next Friday Next Friday is a 2000 comedy film, and the sequel to the 1995 film Friday. This is the first film to be produced by producer Ice Cube's film production company Cubevision... |
1999 | Craig Jones | Main Role |
| Ghosts of Mars Ghosts of Mars John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars is a 2001 American science fiction action horror film composed, written, and directed by John Carpenter. The film stars Ice Cube, Natasha Henstridge, Jason Statham, Pam Grier, Clea DuVall, and Joanna Cassidy... |
2001 | James 'Desolation' Williams | Main Role |
| All About The Benjamins All about the Benjamins All About the Benjamins is a 2002 action movie/comedy movie directed by Kevin Bray, and starring Ice Cube and Mike Epps as a bounty hunter and repeat offender who join forces to find a group of diamond thieves, the former for glory, and the latter to retrieve a winning lottery ticket.-Cast:*Ice... |
2002 | Detective Bucum | Main Role |
| BarberShop Barbershop (film) Barbershop is a 2002 American comedy film directed by Tim Story, produced by State Street Pictures and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on September 13, 2002. Starring Ice Cube, Cedric the Entertainer, and Anthony Anderson, the movie revolves around social life in a barbershop on the South Side of... |
2002 | Calvin Palmer | Main Role |
| Friday After Next Friday After Next Friday After Next is a 2002 comedy film directed by Marcus Raboy, starring Ice Cube and Mike Epps. It is the third installment in the Friday series, and the sequel to the 2000 film Next Friday.-Plot:... |
2002 | Craig Jones | Main Role |
| Torque Torque (film) -Similarities to The Fast and the Furious:The film has often been called "The Fast and the Furious on Motorcycles", referring to the use of many of the same thematic elements between the two films... |
2004 | Trey | Main Role |
| BarberShop 2: Back in Business Barbershop 2: Back in Business Barbershop 2: Black in Business is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, produced by State Street Pictures and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on February 6, 2004... |
2004 | Calvin Palmer | Main Role |
| Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet? is a 2005 American family comedy film which was produced by Revolution Studios and was distributed by Columbia Pictures, directed by Brian Levant... |
2005 | Nick Persons | Main Role |
| XXX: State of the Union XXX: State of the Union xXx: State of the Union, mainly released as xXx²: The Next Level outside the United States and Canada, is a 2005 action-adventure film directed by Lee Tamahori. It is a sequel to the 2002 film xXx... |
2005 | Darius Stone | Main Role |
| Are We Done Yet? Are We Done Yet? Are We Done Yet? is a 2007 family comedy film starring Ice Cube. The film is both a remake of the classic Cary Grant comedy Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and a sequel to 2005's comedy Are We There Yet? The film was directed by Steve Carr from a screenplay by Hank Nelken... |
2007 | Nick Persons | Main Role |
| First Sunday First Sunday First Sunday is a 2008 American comedy film from Screen Gems, written, produced and directed by David E. Talbert, and is his first feature film.-Synopsis:... |
2008 | Durell | Main Role |
| The Longshots The Longshots The Longshots is a 2008 biopic family comedy-drama film sports movie based on the real life events of Jasmine Plummer, the first female to participate in the Pop Warner football tournament.... |
2008 | Curtis Plummer | Main Role |
| Janky Promoters Janky Promoters Janky Promoters is a comedy, re-teaming Ice Cube and Mike Epps who play as "janky" promoters who book rapper Young Jeezy to play at their concert, only to fail at doing it the right way and thus getting into more trouble than they bargained for.-Plot:... |
2009 | Russell Redds | Main Role |
| Lottery Ticket Lottery Ticket (film) For the common Lottery, see Lottery. For other uses, see Lottery .Lottery Ticket is a comedy film starring Bow Wow, Brandon T... |
2010 | Jerome "Thump" Washington | Supporting Role |
| Rampart Rampart (film) Rampart is a drama film released in 2011. Directed by Oren Moverman and co-written by Moverman and James Ellroy, the film stars Woody Harrelson and Ice Cube. In the midst of the fallout from the Rampart scandal of the 1990s, dirty LAPD veteran Dave Brown is forced to face up to the consequences of... |
2011 | TBA | TBA |
| friday 4 | 2012 | TBA | TBA |
| 21 Jump Street 21 Jump Street 21 Jump Street is an American police procedural crime drama television series that aired on the Fox Network from April 12, 1987, to April 27, 1991, with a total of 103 episodes. The series focused on a squad of youthful-looking undercover police officers investigating crimes in high schools,... |
2012 | Capt. Dickson | Main Role |
Television
| Title | Year | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Are We There Yet? Are We There Yet? (TV series) Are We There Yet? is an American television sitcom, which premiered on TBS on June 2, 2010. Based on the 2005 feature film of the same name, it revolves around a family adjusting to the new addition of the matriarch's new husband and trying to deal with normal family situations... TV series |
2010–present | Terrence Kingston | Recurring Role |
Video games
| Title | Year | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Call of Duty: Black Ops Call of Duty: Black Ops Call of Duty: Black Ops is a first-person shooter video game developed by Treyarch, published by Activision and released worldwide on November 9, for Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii consoles, with a separate version for Nintendo DS developed by n-Space. Announced on April 30, 2010,... |
2010 | Chief Petty Officer Bowman/SOG multiplayer announcer | Voice actor |
As director/writer/producer
- FridayFriday (film)Friday is a 1995 stoner comedy-drama-buddy film directed by F. Gary Gray. Starring Ice Cube, Chris Tucker, Nia Long, Bernie Mac, Tommy Lister, Jr...
(1995) writer, executive producer - Dangerous GroundDangerous GroundDangerous Ground is a 1997 thriller starring Ice Cube and Elizabeth Hurley. It was directed by Darrell Roodt and written by Greg Latter and Darrell Roodt.-Plot:...
(1997) executive producer - The Players ClubThe Players ClubThe Players Club is a 1998 comedy/drama thriller film from New Line Cinema starring Bernie Mac, LisaRaye, and Jamie Foxx. Ice Cube, who has a small role in the film, wrote and made his directorial debut. The movie made $5,894,607 in its opening week...
(1998) writer, director, executive producer - Next FridayNext FridayNext Friday is a 2000 comedy film, and the sequel to the 1995 film Friday. This is the first film to be produced by producer Ice Cube's film production company Cubevision...
(2000) writer, producer - All About The BenjaminsAll about the BenjaminsAll About the Benjamins is a 2002 action movie/comedy movie directed by Kevin Bray, and starring Ice Cube and Mike Epps as a bounty hunter and repeat offender who join forces to find a group of diamond thieves, the former for glory, and the latter to retrieve a winning lottery ticket.-Cast:*Ice...
(2002) writer, producer - Friday After NextFriday After NextFriday After Next is a 2002 comedy film directed by Marcus Raboy, starring Ice Cube and Mike Epps. It is the third installment in the Friday series, and the sequel to the 2000 film Next Friday.-Plot:...
(2002) writer, producer - BarberShop 2: Back in BusinessBarbershop 2: Back in BusinessBarbershop 2: Black in Business is a 2004 American comedy film directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan, produced by State Street Pictures and released by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer on February 6, 2004...
(2004) executive producer - BarberShop: The SeriesBarbershop: The SeriesBarbershop: The Series is an American sitcom which made its debut on the Showtime cable network in August 2005. It is based upon the Mark Brown-created characters from the popular films Barbershop and Barbershop 2: Back in Business , and was developed for television by screenwriter John Ridley...
(2005) executive producer - Are We There Yet?Are We There Yet?Are We There Yet? is a 2005 American family comedy film which was produced by Revolution Studios and was distributed by Columbia Pictures, directed by Brian Levant...
(2005) producer - Beauty ShopBeauty ShopBeauty Shop is a 2005 American comedy film, directed by Bille Woodruff. The film is a spin-off of the Barbershop film franchise, and stars Queen Latifah as Gina, a character which was first introduced in the 2004 film Barbershop 2: Back in Business...
(2005) executive producer - Black. White.Black. White.Black. White. was a reality television show on FX. It premiered on Wednesday March 8, 2006 at 10 p.m. Eastern. The series followed two families of three, one white, and the other black. Through studio quality make-up, the two families—the Wurgels and the Sparks—traded races and...
(2006) executive producer - Are We Done Yet?Are We Done Yet?Are We Done Yet? is a 2007 family comedy film starring Ice Cube. The film is both a remake of the classic Cary Grant comedy Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House and a sequel to 2005's comedy Are We There Yet? The film was directed by Steve Carr from a screenplay by Hank Nelken...
(2007) producer - Friday: The Animated SeriesFriday: The Animated SeriesFriday: The Animated Series was an animated television series based on the Friday film series. The show is directed by Kevin Lofton and is co-produced and co-distributed by New Line Television, a subsidiary of New Line Cinema , MTV2, and Ice Cube's Cubevision...
(2007) executive producer - Pirate Island (2008) producer
- The LongshotsThe LongshotsThe Longshots is a 2008 biopic family comedy-drama film sports movie based on the real life events of Jasmine Plummer, the first female to participate in the Pop Warner football tournament....
(2008) producer - First SundayFirst SundayFirst Sunday is a 2008 American comedy film from Screen Gems, written, produced and directed by David E. Talbert, and is his first feature film.-Synopsis:...
(2008) producer - Straight Outta L.A.30 for 3030 for 30 is the umbrella title for a series of documentaries airing on ESPN and its sister networks. The series, which premiered in October 2009 and concluded in December 2010, chronicles 30 stories from the "ESPN era," each of which detail the issues, trends, people, teams, or events that...
(2010) director - Are We There Yet?Are We There Yet? (TV series)Are We There Yet? is an American television sitcom, which premiered on TBS on June 2, 2010. Based on the 2005 feature film of the same name, it revolves around a family adjusting to the new addition of the matriarch's new husband and trying to deal with normal family situations...
(TV series) (2010) executive producer - Last Friday (2012) writer, executive producer
Film award history
Ice Cube has received nominations for several films in the past. To date, he has won two awards:- 2000: Blockbuster Entertainment Award: Favorite Action Team (for Three Kings)
- 2002: MECCA Movie Award: Acting Award
Music awards
- VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2006
- 2006 Honoree Snoop DoggSnoop DoggCalvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. , better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, and actor. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school...
- 2006 Honoree Snoop Dogg
- BET Hip-Hop Awards 2009
- I Am Hip-Hop Award