Born O'Shea Jackson in 1969, Ice Cube grew up in a middle-class home in South-Central Los Angeles, where he first began rapping in high school. After studying architecture in Phoenix, Ariz., Ice Cube returned to Los Angeles in 1987 and released a few 12-inches (including "My Posse") with his crew the CIA. He also worked with the World Class Wrecking Crew before joining the controversial rap group N.W.A. (Niggaz With Attitudes), which also included Eazy-E, Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, MC Ren, and the Arabian Prince.
Though N.W.A. was quite successful, selling millions of albums thanks to the media controversy generated by their trademark violent, sexist, homophobic lyrics, Ice Cube felt he was not being treated fairly by the group's management (Eazy and Jerry Heller). As a result, Cube quit N.W.A. in 1989 and moved to New York, where he formed a backing group called Da Lench Mob and recorded a solo album, 1990's AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted. Though his album was as vulgar as those by N.W.A., it earned critical praise for its style and production (done by Public Enemy's Bomb Squad), and went gold within a week of its release. Riding on his crest of fame, Cube produced an album for female rapper Yo-Yo, Bonnie to his Clyde, and appeared in the hit movie Boyz N the Hood.
Ice Cube returned in 1991 with Kill At Will, with the classics "Jackin' For Beats" and "Dead Homies," and Death Certificate. Death Certificate reached No. 2 and went platinum despite the fact that it contained an anti-Semitic rant ("No Vaseline") and called for Blacks to attack Korean-Americans ("Black Korea"). The following year Cube appeared on the Lollapalooza tour, expanding his following among suburban youth. Not surprisingly, 1992's The Predator was an even bigger hit, debuting at No. 1 on the pop and R&B charts and spawning the smash single "It Was a Good Day." After the release of 1993's Lethal Injection Ice formed the group Westside Connection with WC and Mack 10, stirring up more friction within the cauldron of East-West Coast relations.
He's produced and remixed albums for other artists including K-Dee and Anotha Level, and appeared in movies like the hardly-seen The Glass Shield, the contrived Tresspass with Ice-T, the overrated Higher Learning, and the damn-near unwatchable Anaconda. On the other hand Cube co-wrote the hilarious Friday and wrote and directed The Players Club marking himself as a credible multi-media rap icon.
Cube is back in the 9-8 with his double CD War and Peace.
Kottonmouth Kings Announce Summer Tour With Swollen Members and Big BIcon Vs. Icon - All Things Pop Culture, MD have announced a summer headlining tour with Swollen Members and Big B. The trek will kick off July 29th in San Francisco and run through August, including a stop at this year's annual Gathering of Juggalos alongside Ice Cube, Tech N9ne and GWAR.
James Taylor, Ice Cube, Modest Mouse and more: Daily tour recapTicket News, CTIce Cube's performing calendar currently has nearly 10 North American concerts penciled in for this summer. The veteran rapper takes the stage next for a June 26 show at Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, CA, followed by a June 27 set at the
Alejandro VS. King Magazines: 8 Unpopular Rap Facts…Delusions and EMQ - Black College Lifestyle Network, VAIce Cube Had The Greatest Five-Year Run In Hip-Hop. King: “From 1988 to 1992, he made NWA the world's most dangerous group with “F*ck The Police,” and then slaughtered them on “No Vaseline.” He recorded “Jackin' For Beats,” a template for the upcoming
Ice & Randy's Sons: 'Fro WarsTMZ.com, CAIce Cube and Randy Jackson's sons want to be just like their dads the way they were in the '70s, that is. While Ice and Randy style their fades short and tapered, their adorable kids like to keep it old school Foxy Brown.
Getting married? Better fill up the ice cube trayMLive.com, MIGuest blogger Mark Raymond of Swartz Creek chimes in several times a week. Here's his latest: Welcome to June, named after the mythological Roman goddess, Juno. Our classical ancestors saw her as overseeing many aspects of a woman's life - including
Summer Guide 2009Colorado Springs Independent, COBut we can make it up to you: We've burnt more synapses in the last few weeks than you will skin cells all summer, just to bring you this guide to the season's best and brightest events and activities. So take our friend Ice Cube's advice and get your
GM Nears Crucial Deal With UAWWall Street JournalThis is known as a "melting ice cube" argument, and is often used to justify what is called a "363 sale" in bankruptcy parlance, or the immediate sale of assets whose value would likely be destroyed by a stay in bankruptcy court.
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