Ice Cube
- Music Artist
- Actor
- Producer
Ice Cube was born in South Central Los Angeles, to Doris (Benjamin), a
custodian and hospital clerk, and Hosea Jackson, a UCLA groundskeeper.
He first came to public notice as a singer and songwriter with the
controversial and influential band N.W.A. His compositions with that
group included many of the classic cuts from their debut LP "Straight
Outta Compton" (Ruthless/Priority, 1989), including the title track,
"Gangsta Gangsta" and "Express Yourself". He quit the band over
business differences in 1990 and began a still-growing series of
commercially and critically acclaimed solo albums, starting with
"AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" (Priority, 1990). His second solo album,
"Death Certificate" (Priority, 1991), a concept album about the fall
and rise of the Black man, sold two million copies, and his subsequent
solo output (six albums to date total) has sold over ten million
copies. He has also discovered Yoyo,
Del the Funky Homosapien, K-Dee and
Mack 10. He has also produced, written, toured
and recorded with Public Enemy, The
Red Hot Chili Peppers,
George Clinton,
The D.O.C., Michel'e,
Big Daddy Kane, WC &
The Madd Circle (which spawned the solo career of
Coolio), former N.W.A. bandmate
Dr. Dre and
Cypress Hill. He has also recorded with two
post-N.W.A. side-project bands,
Da Lench Mob ("Guerillas In Tha Mist",
Street Knowledge/East-West, 1991) and Westside Connection ("Bow Down",
Priority, 1996). His movie career has been no less stellar. Ice Cube's
debut in Boyz n the Hood (1991)
led to more roles in such films as
Trespass (1992),
Dangerous Ground (1997) and
Anaconda (1997). He also appeared as
himself in the comedy CB4 (1993). He is also
no stranger to the other side of the camera, directing videos for
himself as well as Prince and
Color Me Badd, as well as co-writing his
screenwriting debut, Friday (1995).
