Ice Cube (b. 1969)

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Biography

O'Shea Jackson, known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and film producer. His efforts on N.W.A's 1989 album Straight Outta Compton contributed to gangsta rap's popularity, and his political rap solo albums AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990), Death Certificate (1991), and The Predator (1992) were all critically and commercially successful. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of N.W.A in 2016.

In Their Own Words (1)

Damn G, the spot's getting hot/So how the fuck am I supposed to make a knot?/Police looking at niggas through a microscope/In L.A. everybody and they momma sell dope/They trying to stop it/So what the fuck can I do to make a profit?/Catch a flight to St. Louis/That's cool, cause nobody knew us.

Preezy Brown, "18 Socio-Political Lyrics From Ice Cube’s’Death Certificate’ That Still Resonate In 2016", Vibe.com, Prometheus Global Media, LLC., 1 Nov 2016. , 2016

Timeline

The story of Ice Cube, told in moments.

1969 Birth

Born O'Shea Jackson in South Central Los Angeles. His father was a UCLA groundskeeper, his mother a hospital clerk. He wrote his first rap in typing class at William Howard Taft High School.

Writing your first rap in typing class. Did the teacher know? A UCLA groundskeeper's son from South Central. Did anyone expect this?

1988 Event

Straight Outta Compton drops. N.W.A's debut album sells over three million copies with almost zero radio play. The FBI sends a warning letter to their label about "Fuck tha Police." Cube wrote most of the lyrics.

The FBI sending a warning letter about your lyrics. Were you proud? Most of the lyrics on Straight Outta Compton. Did NWA get enough credit?

1990 Event

Leaves N.W.A. over royalty disputes. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, his solo debut, produced by Public Enemy's Bomb Squad, goes platinum. He's 21 and already defining West Coast hip-hop on his own terms.

Leaving over royalty disputes. Was that principled or painful? Going platinum at twenty-one on your own. Did that prove the point?

1995 Event

Stars in Friday, which he also wrote. The stoner comedy cost $3.5 million and makes $28 million. It becomes a cult classic. He produces two sequels.

Writing and starring in Friday for $3.5 million. Was comedy a risk? A cult classic. Were you aiming for art or just laughs?

2017 Event

Launches the BIG3, a 3-on-3 basketball league featuring retired NBA players. Former stars like Allen Iverson, Rashard Lewis, and Kenyon Martin sign up. The league gets a TV deal with Fox Sports.

A 3-on-3 basketball league with retired NBA players. Where did that come from? Allen Iverson signing up. Did that validate the concept?