Ice Cube Says Developing Big3 League Was Harder Than Rap & Acting Careers

BY Erika Marie 2.9K Views
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Ice Cube
He mentioned living down the street from Dr. Dre and being discovered by John Singleton.

He has had his hand in all facets of the entertainment industry, but Ice Cube's basketball league Big3 has given him the most difficulty. The Rap mogul has dabbled in just a bit of everything from producing to directing to starring in blockbuster films to nabbing the No. 1 spot on the charts to touring the world. Yet, when Cube and Jeff Kwatinetz announced in 2017 that they were launching a 3-on-3 league featuring former NBA and international basketball players, some people gave them a side-eye.

The Big3 league has been gaining traction in its first few years, and Bossip recently caught up with Cube and asked him where the league ranked in the list of his career accomplishments. "This the biggest thing ever...and the hardest," he said.

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"Doing music, I grew up with Dr. Dre living down the street from me, so, you know. Not saying that was easy but I was in a position to really be right there," he continued. Then, he mentioned why acting wasn't as tough, either.

"In movies, John Singleton saw me one day and said, 'Hey, I wanna put you in a movie.' So, that career took off, you know, with being discovered like that. This is something we had to conceive from scratch with all kind of people telling us that we was crazy, what are y'all doing, you rap what are you doin' in sports, you do movies and now you doin' basketball."

"So, we had to push this rock uphill. This has been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life." He added that the challenge is what makes it all worthwhile and "fun," and said it will feel "satisfying" once he "gets this league where it's supposed to be." Check out the clip below.

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About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.