Ice Cube is one of the founding artists of gangsta rap, and much of his musical output has contained harsh socio-political commentary. He was ranked number 8 on MTV's list of the 10 Greatest MCs of All Time, while fellow rapper Snoop Dogg ranked Ice Cube as one of the greatest MC of all time. AllMusic has called him one of hip-hop's best and most controversial artists, as well as "one of rap's greatest storytellers". In 2012, The Source ranked him number 14 on their list of the Top 50 Lyricists of All Time. In 2014, About.com ranked him number 11 on their list of the "50 Greatest MCs of All Time"
He released his solo debut album, "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted," in 1990 to critical and commercial success, although upon its release he was accused of racism and misogyny. He has since released 1991's "Death Certificate", 1992's "The Predator", 1993's "Lethal Injection", 1998's "War & Peace Vol 1 (The War Disc)", 2000's "War & Peace Vol 2 (The Peace Disc)", 2006's "Laugh Now, Cry Later", 2008's "Raw Footage", and 2010's "I Am the West."
Ice Cube was raised in South Central by his parents, both of whom were employed at UCLA. He began writing raps while attending George Washington Preparatory High School in Westmont, California, most notably "Boyz 'N Tha Hood", which later became famous when done by N.W.A in 1986. Cube finished his schooling at William Howard Taft Charter High School in Woodland Hills, a predominately white neighborhood in San Fernando Valley, some 40 miles from the high-crime neighborhood where his family stayed.
Cube and a friend, Sir Jinx, rapped as a partnership called C.I.A. at parties hosted by Dr. Dre. After a brief stint in a group called "HBO", Cube showed Eazy-E "Boyz 'N Da Hood," and the pair, plus Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, The Arabian Prince and MC Ren, formed N.W.A.
Cube took one year off to earn a degree in architectural drafting in Phoenix in 1987 but returned in time to participate in N.W.A's debut album, Straight Outta Compton. The album attracted much notoriety for the group, from the FBI and concerned citizen and parent groups. Cube did the lead verse for the album's infamous track "Fuck tha Police."
Ice Cube left N.W.A due to financial and personality conflicts in 1989. With Da Lench Mob and the Bomb Squad (Public Enemy's producers), Cube recorded his debut album in New York City. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted was released in 1990 and was an instantaneous hit as rap's popularity increased in mainstream society.
His 1991 follow-up, Death Certificate, was even more controversial. A few songs in the album featured Cube's hate of Uncle Sam and his politics, and a bonus track named "No Vaseline" was a diss to his former N.W.A bandmates. Also that year, he converted to the Nation of Islam. The album was re-released in 2003 with the bonus track "How to Survive in South Central," originally from the 1991 "Boyz N the Hood" soundtrack.
Controversy stirred about racist lyrics in his material: "Black Korea" (a song against Korean shopowners), referring to a former boss as "white Jew" in "No Vaseline", and songs such as "Enemy and Cave Bitch" (songs against "devils", a popular derogatory term at the time for white people). Partially to help deflect criticisms, Cube appointed a female rapper named Yo-Yo (who guested on AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted) to the head of his own record label and helped produce her debut album, Make Way for the Motherlode.
That was followed by Cube's acting breakout as the grown-up version of Darrin "Doughboy" Baker in the 1991 coming of age crime drama "Boyz in the Hood." Writer and director John Singleton, another LA native, penned the role specifically Cube. Ice Cube was later named "Most Promising Actor" at the 4th Chicago Film Critics Association Awards in 1992, beating out his co-star Cuba Gooding Jr. and newcomer Brad Pitt from "Thelma and Louise."
Cube toured on Lollapalooza in 1992 and widened his fan base. He released The Predator in November (1992) which debuted at #1 on both the pop and rnb charts, the first album in history to do so. For that album, Cube decided to load some G-funk style beats which at that time was the big thing and some remix tunes which brought a new style to Cube, in which previously he had released some hardcore and extreme work. Singles from The Predator included "Today was a Good Day" and "Check Yo Self (remix)" which all had a 2 part music video.
After The Predator, Cube's audience began to diminish. Lethal Injection (1993) was not very well-liked by critics, and Dr. Dre and the West Coast G-Funk sound was dominating hip-hop. It wasn't until later that the album became popular. Taking a break from his own albums, Cube assisted on debuts from Da Lench Mob (Guerillas in the Mist) and Kam (Neva Again). He later dueted with Dr. Dre on "Natural Born Killaz."
Around this time in 1993, Ice Cube also worked with soon-to-be-acclaimed rapper Tupac Shakur with his album Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. and appeared on a track with 2pac.
In 1994 Ice Cube released Bootlegs & B-Sides.
During this time, hip-hop started making a transition from the West Coast Funk Hip-Hop to a more gritty East Coast hip-hop. With Mack 10 and WC, Cube formed the Westside Connection in 1996, releasing their debut album Bow Down later that year. This album was in due to Ice Cube's theory that the East Coast lacked respect for West Coast hip-hop. Songs like "Bow Down", and "Gangstas Make The World Go 'Round" make reference to this. Sales were brisk, but it did not establish a large audience. This album was later perceived as a classic, especially on the West Coast. Cube released several more solo albums; however, he is now known more for his movies than his music.
In 1998 Ice Cube released War & Peace Vol 1: The War Disc
In 2000 Ice Cube released War & Peace Vol 2: The Peace Disc
In 2003 Ice Cube along with W.C. & Mack 10 released Terrorist Threats as the West Side Connection.
In December 2004, after a long break from recording, he reached #2 in the UK singles chart with the club favourite, "You Can Do It" (featuring Mack 10 and Ms Toi), released as a single 5 years after it was first included on movie soundtracks such as
Ice Cube was influenced by and took his name from African American pimp-turned-author Iceberg Slim, who published his autobiography Pimp in 1969. At one point, Ice Cube was scheduled to play the lead role in a movie adaptation of Pimp, but the project appears to be halted.
Cube's oldest son, O'Shea Jackson Jr., made his feature film debut in the 2015 N.W.A biopic "Straight Outta Compton," portraying his father.
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A nigga that's livin' in the city of the criminal zone
One time can't keep the law in order
'Cause everybody's goin' crazy for a quarter
You're tuned in to the number one crew in the area
The way I'm talkin I'm scarin' ya
I'm darin ya to raise hell and bail and brag and sag
Or beat down for ya flag
Keep one in the chamber
'cause you'll get them things put on ya son
Ice Cube has got the 4-1-1
All the ol' school house fellows are crooks
So I get jealous looks
They keep thinkin' did my hair grow?
Will the boys 'n' the hood have to beat down Ice Cube?
Hell no, I'll static son, you'll see it's okay
I keep my 9 anyway
For the day one of my homies want to squab
I'm still rollin wit The Lench Mob
(AmeriKKKa's most wanted)
Back in the day I dip my shirt in dirt
Sometimes I got away clean, sometimes people got hurt
But if you know me, you know that I'm liable
To bust a cap 'cause it's all about survival of the fittest
I'm a menace crook
I did so much dirt I need to be in the Guinness Book
From the shit I took from people
I reap all your fat shit, jack
Back to the criminals sect
I leave crew after crew but they can't catch me yet
'cause I'm slick as slippery
They can't get wit me, cops ain't shit to me
I can't dig a pig so I drop the dogs
And sweat em like sweat hogs
And get mad, mad 'cause I'm the nigga that flaunt it
AmeriKKKa's most wanted
Hey yo, here's what the poster read:
'Ice Cube is wanted dead'
That's all it said
I put heads to bed and fled the scene wit all the green
Hear shots and si-reens
When I feet first they yo' rings, now they my rings
So give it up punk and then I just
Put another jack in progress
It's the American way
'cause I'm the G-A-N-G-S-T-A
Ice Cube, a motherfuckin' clepto'
And tried to catch the early bird but they slept, so
Who gets the worm?
And if I'm caught in a trap
You know I'ma beat the wack
With a payoff, cop gotta lay off
FBI on my dick, stay off!
I'm not a rebel or a renegade on a quest
I'm a nigga with a 'S' on his chest
So get the Kryptonite 'cause I'm a rip tonight
'cause I'm scarin' ya, wanted by America
(Hey yo Cube man, they on your ass)
Word, but who the fuck has heard?
It's time to take a trip to the suburbs
Let em see a nigga invasion
Point blank for the Caucasian
Cock the hammer then crackle, smile
Take me to your house, pal
Got to the house, my pockets got fat, see
Crack the safe, got the money and the jewelry
Three weeks later, I'm at the P-A-D
Had a little fly ass bitch wit me
Sittin' in a dig, yo it couldn't be
(What up G?) Saw my face on TV
Damn (oh shit!) I didn't know I lucked out
Struck out, I gotta get the fuck out
Pack my bags and tried to hit the dough when
The ol' bitch down the street must've turned me in
'Cause the feds was out there ten deep
I got hassled and gaffled in the back seat
I think back when I was robbin' my own kind
The police didn't pay it no mind
But when I start robbin' the white folks
Now I'm in the pen wit the soap-on-a-rope
I said it before and I'll still taught it
Every motherfucker with a color is most wanted
Ice Cube's "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" is a strong, thought-provoking and controversial song that speaks on the issue of racism, inequality, police brutality, and the criminal justice system in the United States. The lyrics portray the violence and crime that exists in the criminal zone of the city where the police cannot maintain law and order. It speaks of the frustration and anger of the oppressed, who are forced to turn to crime for survival. The song is a reflection of the realities faced by African-Americans in the United States where they are often harassed, brutalized, and targeted by the police.
Ice Cube talks about his life as a gang banger in the hood and how he keeps a 9mm gun with him for protection. He speaks of his experiences of getting caught and his disdain for the police. The song highlights the hypocrisy of the American justice system, which targets black people for crimes that the whites get away with. Ice Cube wishes to expose the darker side of America, which seeks to suppress and demonize black people as criminals.
Overall, "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" is a powerful commentary on the social and political landscape of the United States. It is a reminder of the struggles and oppression faced by black people and a call to action for change towards a just and equitable society.
Line by Line Meaning
I got it goin' on
Ice Cube is confident in his abilities and presence.
A nigga that's livin' in the city of the criminal zone
Ice Cube is a black man living in a city where crime is rampant.
One time can't keep the law in order
'Cause everybody's goin' crazy for a quarter
The police are not enough to keep the peace because everyone is willing to commit crimes for money.
You're tuned in to the number one crew in the area
The way I'm talkin I'm scarin' ya
Ice Cube and his crew are the most feared in the area.
I'm darin ya to raise hell and bail and brag and sag
Or beat down for ya flag
Ice Cube is daring gang members to start trouble or show off their gang affiliation, which could result in violence.
'cause if you is or you ain't a gang banger
Keep one in the chamber
'cause you'll get them things put on ya son
Ice Cube has got the 4-1-1
If you are or are not part of a gang, it's best to be armed because Ice Cube and his crew have information that could lead to violence.
All the ol' school house fellows are crooks
So I get jealous looks
Ice Cube gets suspicious looks from old acquaintances who are involved in criminal activities.
They keep thinkin' did my hair grow?
Will the boys 'n' the hood have to beat down Ice Cube?
Hell no, I'll static son, you'll see it's okay
I keep my 9 anyway
Ice Cube's former associates wonder if he has become law-abiding or if he will be punished by the neighborhood gang for leaving. However, Ice Cube assures them that he is still armed and dangerous.
For the day one of my homies want to squab
I'm still rollin wit The Lench Mob
Ice Cube is still loyal to his gang, The Lench Mob, and is prepared to fight with them.
Back in the day I dip my shirt in dirt
Sometimes I got away clean, sometimes people got hurt
But if you know me, you know that I'm liable
To bust a cap 'cause it's all about survival of the fittest
Ice Cube used to commit crimes which sometimes resulted in injury or death to others, and he is willing to shoot if it means protecting himself.
I'm a menace crook
I did so much dirt I need to be in the Guinness Book
From the shit I took from people
I reap all your fat shit, jack
Back to the criminals sect
Ice Cube is a dangerous criminal who has stolen from many people and has gained a lot of wealth.
I leave crew after crew but they can't catch me yet
'cause I'm slick as slippery
They can't get wit me, cops ain't shit to me
Ice Cube has evaded many groups and authorities pursuing him because he is elusive and difficult to catch.
I can't dig a pig so I drop the dogs
And sweat em like sweat hogs
And get mad, mad 'cause I'm the nigga that flaunt it
AmeriKKKa's most wanted
Ice Cube hates police, so he evades them and makes them look bad by flaunting his wealth and status.
Hey yo, here's what the poster read:
'Ice Cube is wanted dead'
That's all it said
I put heads to bed and fled the scene wit all the green
Hear shots and si-reens
When I feet first they yo' rings, now they my rings
Ice Cube is wanted by the police, but he has killed those who came after him and stolen their money and jewelry.
So give it up punk and then I just
Put another jack in progress
It's the American way
'cause I'm the G-A-N-G-S-T-A
Ice Cube robs others and continues to do so because it has become part of American culture, and he identifies as a gangster.
Ice Cube, a motherfuckin' clepto'
And tried to catch the early bird but they slept, so
Who gets the worm?
And if I'm caught in a trap
You know I'ma beat the wack
With a payoff, cop gotta lay off
Ice Cube is a kleptomaniac and has stolen many things, but he is willing to bribe his way out of trouble with the police.
FBI on my dick, stay off!
I'm not a rebel or a renegade on a quest
I'm a nigga with a 'S' on his chest
So get the Kryptonite 'cause I'm a rip tonight
'cause I'm scarin' ya, wanted by America
Ice Cube is wanted by the FBI, but he is not fighting against society, he is just a black man trying to survive. He feels invincible and has embraced the fear he instills in others.
Word, but who the fuck has heard?
It's time to take a trip to the suburbs
Let em see a nigga invasion
Point blank for the Caucasian
Ice Cube is not concerned about being wanted, and he decides to go to the suburbs to show white people what it feels like to be invaded and robbed.
Cock the hammer then crackle, smile
Take me to your house, pal
Got to the house, my pockets got fat, see
Crack the safe, got the money and the jewelry
Ice Cube threatens and robs white people in their own homes, stealing their valuables.
Three weeks later, I'm at the P-A-D
Had a little fly ass bitch wit me
Sittin' in a dig, yo it couldn't be
(What up G?) Saw my face on TV
Damn (oh shit!) I didn't know I lucked out
Struck out, I gotta get the fuck out
Pack my bags and tried to hit the dough when
The ol' bitch down the street must've turned me in
'Cause the feds was out there ten deep
I got hassled and gaffled in the back seat
Ice Cube is staying at his pad with a woman when he sees himself on TV, and realizes he has been caught. He tries to escape, but an old woman from his neighborhood has turned him in, and he is arrested by federal authorities.
I think back when I was robbin' my own kind
The police didn't pay it no mind
But when I start robbin' the white folks
Now I'm in the pen wit the soap-on-a-rope
I said it before and I'll still taught it
Every motherfucker with a color is most wanted
Ice Cube recalls that he used to rob people from his own community and the police did not pursue him. However, now that he is robbing white people, he is in jail. He believes that anyone who is not white is always targeted by authorities.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: O'SHEA JACKSON, ERIC T. SADLER, KEITH SHOCKLEE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Limits98
Lyrics
[Verse 1: Ice Cube]
Ice Cube with Da Lench Mob, I got it going on
A nigga that's living in the city of the criminal zone
One-time can't keep the law in order
Cause everybody's going crazy for a quarter
You're tuned in to the number one crew in the area
The way I'm talking I'm scaring ya
I'm daring ya to raise hell and bail and brag and sag
Or beat down for ya flag
Cause if you is or you ain't a gangbanger
Keep one in the chamber
Cause you'll get them thangs put on ya son
Ice Cube has got the 4-1-1
All the ol' school house fellows are crooks
So I get jealous looks
They keep thinking did my head grow?
Will the boys in the hood have to beat down Ice Cube?
Hell no, I'll static son, you'll see it's okay
I keep my nine anyway
For the day one of my homies wanna squab
I'm still rolling wit Da Lench Mob
[Bridge]
(America's Most Wanted)
[Verse 2: Ice Cube]
Back in the day I did my share of dirt
Sometimes I got away clean, sometimes people got hurt
But if you know me, you know that I'm liable
To bust a cap 'cause it's all about survival of the fittest
I'm a menace crook
I did so much dirt, I need to be in the Guinness Book
From the shit I took from people
I repo your Vette, then jet
Back to the criminal set
I leave clue after clue, but they can't catch me yet
Cause I'm slick and slippery
They can't get with me, cops ain't shit to me
I can't dig a pig, so I drop the dogs
And sweat em like sweathogs
And get mad, mad 'cause I'm the nigga that flaunt it
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
[Speaking]
[Verse 3: Ice Cube]
Ayo, here's what the poster read
"Ice Cube is wanted dead"
That's all it said
I put heads to bed and fled the scene wit all the green
Hear shots and si-reens
When I fiend, first they yo' rings, now they my rings
So give it up punk and then I just
Put another jack in progress
It's the American way
Cause I'm the G-A-N-G-S-T-A
Ice Cube, a motherfucking klepto
And tried to catch the early bird but they slept, so
Who gets the worm?
And if I'm caught in a trap, wou know I'm a beat the wack
With a payoff, cop gotta lay off
FBI on my dick, stay off!
I'm not a rebel or a renegade on a quest
I'm a nigga with a 'S' on his chest
So get the Kryptonite 'cause I'm a rip tonight
Cause I'm scaring ya, wanted by America
[Interlude]
(Ayo Cube man, they on your ass)
[Verse 4: Ice Cube]
Word, but who the fuck is Herb?
It's time to take a trip to the suburbs
Let 'em see a nigga invasion
Point blank on a Caucasian
Cocked the hammer, didn't crack no smile
Take me to your house, pal
Got to the house, my pockets got fat, see
Crack the safe, got the money and the jewelry
Three weeks later, I'm at the P-A-D
Had a little fly ass bitch wit me
Sitting in the den, yo it couldn't be
(What up, G?) Saw my face on TV
Damn (oh shit!) I didn't know I lucked out
Struck out, I gotta get the fuck out
Packed my bags and tried to hit the door when
The ol' bitch down the street must've turned me in
Cause the feds was out there ten deep
I got hassled and gaffled in the back seat
I think back when I was robbing my own kind
The police didn't pay it no mind
But when I start robbing the white folks
Now I'm in the pen with the soap-on-a-rope
I said it before and I'll still taught it
Every motherfucker with a color is most wanted
[Outro]
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, uh, reports that
Ice Cube is the leader of the, uh, Lench Mob.
Uh, also in the group they have J-Dee,
Chill, T-Bone, Yo-Yo, Del, K-Dee
Sounds like a black thing
Roger Dodger
Ice Cubes first five albums should have him firmly in the top 20. He’s was a West Coast problem way before Pac
Grady Christopher
Top ten. List have him behind Snoop, no way Snoop better Ice Cube
Kenneth Richardson
PAC was not from the West Coast
Grady Christopher
@Kenneth Richardson he was a West coast artist. Like Kurupt, DOC, and Rage...
West Craven
Top 20 u trippin cube is easily top 10 in my book top 3 but overall top 10
Ricky Queen
TOP 20???? Ice cube in TOP 5 EASILY! I have cube 2nd greatest of All Time!
Herbert J Robinson
I don't care what anybody says. This Album is still fire. And still very relevant to what's happening today.
David Simms
I was 38 years old when this piece hit,Cube is one of my favorite rappers of all time, I was bumping this in my Cadillac, I had Panasonic 4 six by nine,2 bass reflex speakers and an E.Q., it was hitting like I had 10s,that hella TOO SHORT BASS, love TOO SHORT as well, life is TOO SHORT, I am 69 years old now,I miss those days, time flies , waits on no one.
JG
I’m 19 and blasting this with my bluetooth speaker. You know the song is good when you still got people coming back like you after 30 years and new people like me learning about it
Nicolas Barthelot
@JG same here and I’m 24