Ice Cube 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, "Fuck Tha Police",
"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 Tha Funkee Homosapien, K-Dee, and Mack 10
, and produced, written, toured, and recorded with Public Enemy,
The Red Hot Chili Peppers, George Clinton, The D.O.C., Michel'e,
Big Daddy Kane, W.C. & 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 Lenchmob ("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 "Boys In Tha Hood" (1990)
led to more roles in such films as "Trespass" (1994), "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 The Artist Formerly Known As
Prince and Color Me Badd, as well as co-writing his screenwriting debut, "Friday" (1995).
Fast Fact:
Married to Kim Jackson, son O'Shea Jackson Jr.
Rapper/actor, and ex-N.W.A. member.
Education: Phoenix Institute of Technology.
Began Cubevison production Company.
Cousin of rapper Del Tha Funkee Homosapien.
Actor, film history:
Torque (2003) .... Trey
Friday After Next (2002) .... Craig Jones
Barbershop (2002) .... Calvin
All About the Benjamins (2002) .... Bucum
Red Desert Nights: Making 'Ghosts of Mars' (2001) (V) .... Himself
Up In Smoke Tour, The (2001) (V) .... Himself
Ghosts of Mars (2001) .... James 'Desolation' Williams
2000 MTV Movie Awards (2000) (TV) .... Presenter
Next Friday (2000) .... Craig Jones
Thicker Than Water (1999) .... Slink
Three Kings (1999) .... Staff Sergeant Chief Elgin
Family Values Fall Tour '98 (1998) (V) .... Himself
Straight from the Streets (1998) (V) .... Himself
I Got the Hook Up (1998) .... Gun Runner
Players Club, The (1998) .... Reggie
Anaconda (1997) .... Danny Rich
Dangerous Ground (1997) .... Vusi Madlazi
Rap: Looking for the Perfect Beat (1995) (TV) .... Himself
Friday (1995) .... Craig Jones
Higher Learning (1995) .... Fudge
Glass Shield, The (1994) .... Teddy Woods
CB4 (1993) .... Himself
Trespass (1992) .... Savon
Boyz N the Hood (1991) .... Doughboy
