School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Ice Cube

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Ice Cube, who was born O'Shea Jackson on 15 June 1969 in Los Angeles, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor and film producer. He grew up in Westmont, in the south of the city. In his third year of high school he began writing raps, after a friend challenged him to in typing class. In 1986 he formed his first group, C.I.A., and in 1987 he founded the gangsta rap group N.W.A with Eazy-E and Dr. Dre. As the main rapper he wrote most of the lyrics of Straight Outta Compton from 1989, an album that shaped the early, violent and controversial identity of West Coast hip hop and distinguished it from that of the East Coast.

Music and breakthrough

At the end of 1989 he left N.W.A after a money dispute over the group's management by Eazy-E and Jerry Heller. As a solo artist he made political rap albums: AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted from 1990, Death Certificate from 1991 and The Predator from 1992, all three of which were critical and commercial successes. His singles It Was a Good Day and Check Yo Self reached the top forty of the American Hot 100.

Influence

From the early 1990s he also made films. His first role was in Boyz n the Hood in 1991. He co-wrote the comedy Friday from 1995 and in 1998 directed The Players Club. In 2016 he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of N.W.A.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to It Was a Good Day. Notice how calm and almost cheerful the beat sounds, and how over it Cube tells of an ordinary day in Los Angeles in his low, dry voice.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists