Depending on when you were born, you might see as Ice Cube as one of two people. The first one, for our younger readers, is the lovable character from "Barber Shop," "Are We There Yet?" or "21 Jump Street." For our older audience, it's probably the angry gangster rapper who was a member of N.W.A. and released The Predator.
We're focusing on the latter Ice Cube today. As one of gangster rap's pioneers, Ice Cube pushed the limits of what hip hop could do in terms of content and message. Through his work with N.W.A., Cube and the gang brought rap a facelift, and the whole game got a whole lot realer.
With a number of classic tracks under his belt, there's no shortage of dope material from Ice Cube. Let's throw it back to the early cuts.
N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton
It would be tough to talk about Ice Cube's early rap career without mentioning this cut. Arguably one of his best-known verses is the first one of this classic...
"Straight outta Compton, crazy motherfucker named Ice Cube
From the gang called Niggas Wit Attitudes
When I'm called off, I got a sawed-off
Squeeze the trigger and bodies are hauled off
You too boy if you fuck with me
The police are gonna have to come and get me
Off yo ass, that's how I'm going out
For the punk motherfuckers that's showing out
Niggas start to mumble, they wanna rumble
Mix em and cook em in a pot like gumbo
Going off on a motherfucker like that
With a gat, that's pointed at
Yo ass--so give it up smooth
Ain't no telling when I'm down for a jack move
Here's a murder rap to keep you dancing
With a crime record like Charles Manson
AK-47 is the tool
Don't make me act the motherfucking fool
Me you can go toe to toe, no maybe
I'm knocking niggas out the box, daily
Yo weekly, monthly and yearly
Until them dumb motherfuckers see clearly
That I'm down with the capital C-P-T
Boy, you can't fuck with me
So when I'm in your neighborhood, you better duck
Cause Ice Cube is crazy as fuck
As I leave, believe I'm stomping
But when I come back boy, I'm coming straight outta Compton"
N.W.A. - Fuck tha Police
And if "Straight Outta Compton" isn't his most well-known verse, it might be the opener from "Fuck tha Police."
Ice Cube - Who's The Mack
With some help from a funky Marvin Gaye sample, Ice Cube released his debut solo single "Who's The Mack." The track has a musically vintage vibe, perfect for a Throwback Thursday jam.
Ice Cube - Steady Mobbin'
Another funky gangster cut from Ice Cube, this time off his sophomore album Death Certificate.
Ice Cube - True To The Game
"True To The Game" talks about being true to yourself and to the rap game. He calls out sell-out artists and MTV, specifically, for pimping out rap culture. Sound familiar, Kendrick Lamar fans?
"When you first start rhyming
It started off slow and then you start climbing
But it wasn't fast enough I guess
So you gave your other style a test
You was hardcore hip-hop
Now look at yourself, boy you done flip-flopped
Giving our music away to the mainstream
Don't you know they ain't down with the team
They just sent they boss over
Put a bug in your ear and now you crossed over
On MTV but they don't care
They'll have a new nigga next year"
Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day
This is one of that ultimate jams of all time. "It Was A Good Day" will have every hip hop fan feeling like he's on cloud 9 after a good day. Ice Cube laments on his perfect 24 hours on his huge single.
Ice Cube - Don't Trust 'Em
This one wasn't a single, and could be considered a little bit of a deeper cut in comparison to the rest of the classics on the list. It's an interesting track about not trusting women, because they might be scheming on you. The upbeat, funky beat makes it a super good dance track for all you summer DJs.
Ice Cube - Check Yo Self
This remix version of "Check Yo Self" is still the hot fire.
Ice Cube - Wicked
While "Check Yo Self" and "It Was A Good Day" were nice and accessible, "Wicked" is dark and eerie. The dancehall-inspired chorus, looped beat, and subject matter are all quite abrasive, but it somehow works.
Ice Cube featuring George Clinton - Bop Gun (One Nation)
Need some of that g-funk to spice up your day? Look no further.