Ice Cube

O'Shea Jackson Sr., known professionally as Ice Cube, was born in Los Angeles, California, on June 15, 1969. He developed an interest in hip-hop in his early teens and began writing raps. In 1986, he formed his first rap group, C.I.A. His stage name, Ice Cube, originated from his older brother, who threatened to put him in a freezer until he became an ice cube.

Music Career

N.W.A

In 1987, alongside Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, Ice Cube became a founding member of the influential gangsta rap group N.W.A. (Niggaz Wit Attitudes). He was the lead rapper and principal songwriter for their landmark album, "Straight Outta Compton," released in 1988. The album's controversial and politically charged lyrics, particularly in songs like "F*** tha Police," brought the group widespread attention and criticism. Ice Cube left N.W.A. in 1989 due to financial disputes.

Solo Career and Collaborations

Ice Cube launched a successful solo career in 1990 with the release of his debut album, "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted," which was produced by Public Enemy's production team, The Bomb Squad. This album was followed by other critically and commercially successful releases, including "Death Certificate" (1991) and "The Predator" (1992). "The Predator" became the first album to debut at No. 1 on both the R&B/hip-hop and pop charts. Throughout his career, he has released several other albums, such as "Lethal Injection" (1993), "War & Peace Vol. 1 & 2" (1998, 2000), and "I Am the West" (2010). He has also collaborated with artists outside of hip-hop, including David Bowie and Trent Reznor.

Acting and Film Production

Ice Cube began his acting career with a acclaimed role as Doughboy in John Singleton's 1991 film "Boyz n the Hood". He has since appeared in nearly 40 films. His filmography includes starring roles in the "Friday" franchise, which he also co-wrote, the "Barbershop" series, and the "Ride Along" and "21 Jump Street" comedy duologies. In 1998, he made his directorial debut with "The Players Club". Through his production company, Cube Vision, founded with Matt Alvarez, he has produced numerous films, including "Are We There Yet?" (2005) and the N.W.A. biopic "Straight Outta Compton" (2015), in which his son, O'Shea Jackson Jr., portrayed him.

Business Ventures

Beyond music and film, Ice Cube has engaged in several business ventures. He founded the record label Lench Mob Records in 1990. In 2017, he co-founded the 3-on-3 basketball league, Big3, with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league features former NBA players and has been certified as a Black-owned and operated business. He also has a clothing line called Solo by Ice Cube and a brand of brandy named "Fifth Generation."