The life of the future rapper Ice Cube began normally - he was born in a poor area of Los Angeles on June 15, 1969. Mother worked in a hospital, and father guarded at the university.
The real name of the rapper is O'Shea Jackson. The boy received this name in honor of the infamous football star O. Jay Simpson.
O'Shea Jackson's desire to escape poverty
At school, Ice Cube studied well and was fond of football. Although the street had a negative impact on the teenager. The atmosphere of this part of Los Angeles was the best way to promote hooliganism, drug addiction, and fights. But Cube was not involved in serious crimes.
As a teenager, Cube changed schools - his parents moved him to San Fernando. This place was very different from what the guy was used to since childhood. Compared to the high standard of living in San Fernando, the poverty of the black neighborhoods of Los Angeles was simply shocking.
Cube understood where the origins of drug addiction, violence and immoral behavior come from. Wanting to achieve a better future, Jay entered the Institute of Technology. There he studied for two years until 1988, and then quit, taking up creativity.
The beginning of Ice Cube's musical career
Cube devoted all the time to musical studies, first of all, to his favorite rap. Teaming up with two other guys, he created a group. After some time, the talented rapper Andre Romell Young (Dr. Dre) became interested in the musicians.
After joining the team of DJ Yella, Eazy-E, MC Ren, the group NWA (Niggaz With Attitude) was created. Working in the gangsta style, they became one of the founders of this trend. The harshness of the sound, combined with the lyrics, shocked the audience and attracted thousands of "fans".
Glory hit the NWA group after the release of their debut album Straight Outta Compton. The scandalous track Fuck the Police caused an incredible hype in the media and increased popularity.
However, Eazy-E's ingenious contract made profit for the producer, but not for the performers, who got "pennies". Cube was the author of most of the songs not only for NWA, but also for those that Eazy-E performed at solo concerts. Therefore, four years later, Cube left the group.
Ice Cube solo activity
Having decided to start independent performances, Ice Cube was not mistaken. In the minds of thousands of listeners, he became the personification of a fighter for the rights of blacks in America.
The first solo album AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990) created the effect of a "bombshell". The success was just incredible. The album was almost all hits.
There were 16 songs on the disc. Among the compositions were: The Nigga Ya Love to Hate, AmeriKKKa's Nost Wanted, Who's the Mask?. Furious calls against the oppression of the dark race still remained the main motive for the singer's work.
Yes, and the appearance, sexual promiscuity of the rapper did not give rest to the champions of morality. Therefore, almost every performance or new album was accompanied by an indispensable "defeat" in the press. But that didn't stop him from being popular.
Ice Cube at the top
Following the disc, the super-successful track Kill Ft Will was recorded. In 1991, a new masterpiece album, Death Certificate, was released. Its cover was “decorated” by a dead body lying on a medical transport.
A month later, Los Angeles was rocked by the famous Negro riot. Ice Cube was considered almost a prophet and was credited with the status of the leader of the black population.
In 1992, the no less successful disc Thepredetor was released with the masterpiece singles Check Yo Self, Wicked and It Was a Good Day. He was the last in which the rapper's invocative voice sounded at full power.
The onset of a new era in the work of Ice Cube
The era of resistance and criticism of the social order was ending, becoming unfashionable. Successful lucky guys who managed to "take everything from life" became the heroes of the day. Rebelliousness faded into the background, and even into the third.
Ice Cube did not leave creativity, having recorded the album Warand Peace and collections of his most famous songs. The rapper was engaged in producing, participating in various festivals. Bow Down was released in 1996 and Terrorist Threats in 2003.
Film career Ice Cube
Not to mention the filming of Ice Cube in the movie, thanks to which he was popular. His first film was the iconic Boyz N The Hood about life in the ghetto.
Other films followed. The main film of his life was the comedy "Friday". In it, the artist acted not only as an actor, but also as a director, co-writer and producer.
For fans of hip-hop, the film has become a grandiose gift. Rejoicing at the success, Ice Cube decided to create his own film company.
Another super popular film was the film "Barbershop", created in the comedy genre. In the eyes of the "fans" Cube became the king of African American cinema.
He has many plans - shooting a blockbuster, the possibility of reuniting with the NWA group, recording new albums. Cube's dream is to make an autobiographical film.
