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.
Burn Hollywood Burn
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Goin' on first htey're guilty now they're gone
Yeah I'll check out a movie
But it'll take a black one to move me
Get me the hell away from this TV
All this news and views are beneath me
Cause all I hear about is shots ringin' out
So I rather kick some slang out
Hollywood or would they not
Make us all look bad like I know they had
But some things I'll never forget yeah
So step and fetch this shit
For all the years we looked like clowns
The joke is over smell the smoke from all around
Burn Hollywood burn
Ice cube is down with the P
Now every single bitch wanna see me
Big daddy is smooth word to mother
Let's check out a flick that exploits the color
Roamin' through Hollywood late at night
Red and blue lights what a common sight
Pulled to the curb gettin' played like a sucker
Don't fight the power the mother fucker
As I walk the streets of Hollywood boulevard
Thinin' how hard it was to those that starred
In the movies portrayin' the roles
Of butlers and maids slaves and hoes
Many intelligent black men seemed to look uncivilized
When on the screen
Like a guess I figure you to play some jigaboo
On the plantation, what else can a nigga do
And black women in this profession
As for playin' a lawyer, out of the question
For what they play aunt Jemima is the perfect term
Even if now she got a perm
So let's make our own movies like spike lee
Cause the roles being offered don't strike me
There's nothing that the black man could use to earn
Burn Hollywood burn
In the lyrics of Ice Cube's song "Burn Hollywood Burn," the artist expresses his frustration with the representation of black people in the entertainment industry, particularly in Hollywood. The opening lines, "Burn Hollywood burn I smell a riot, Goin' on first they're guilty now they're gone," suggest a feeling of anger and rebellion against the injustices faced by the black community.
Ice Cube criticizes the lack of authentic and meaningful representation of black stories in mainstream media, hinting at the need for films that truly resonate with the black experience. He mentions that it would take a black movie to capture his attention and interest, implying that the current Hollywood productions are failing to connect with him and others in his community.
The song highlights the negative stereotypes and limited roles assigned to black actors in Hollywood, with Ice Cube condemning the portrayal of black men as uncivilized and black women as limited to stereotypical characters like maids or butlers. He questions the industry's refusal to offer roles that showcase the intelligence and diversity within the black community, criticizing the perpetuation of harmful stereotypes.
Ice Cube calls for a change in the narrative, advocating for black creators like Spike Lee to tell their own stories and produce films that accurately depict the realities of being black in America. The lyrics emphasize the need for empowerment and self-representation within the entertainment industry, challenging the status quo and pushing for more inclusive and authentic storytelling that reflects the true experiences of black individuals. The repeated refrain of "Burn Hollywood burn" serves as a rallying cry for change and a rejection of the oppressive systems that have marginalized black voices in media.
Line by Line Meaning
Burn Hollywood burn I smell a riot
I sense a cultural uprising against the injustices perpetuated by the Hollywood system.
Goin' on first they're guilty now they're gone
Initially praised, now they are being held accountable for their harmful portrayals of black individuals.
Yeah I'll check out a movie
I will watch a film, but only if it accurately represents and respects black culture.
But it'll take a black one to move me
Only a movie made by and for the black community will truly resonate with me.
Get me the hell away from this TV
I am fed up with the negative portrayal of black individuals on television.
All this news and views are beneath me
The biased news and opinions about the black community do not deserve my attention.
Cause all I hear about is shots ringin' out
All I hear in the media is reports of violence, perpetuating negative stereotypes.
So I rather kick some slang out
I would rather use my voice to speak out against these harmful portrayals.
All right fellas let's go hand out
Let's take proactive action to challenge and change the status quo in Hollywood.
Hollywood or would they not
Hollywood has consistently failed to accurately represent and empower the black community.
Make us all look bad like I know they had
Hollywood has perpetuated harmful stereotypes that paint black individuals in a negative light.
But some things I'll never forget yeah
The impact of these harmful portrayals on the black community will not be forgotten.
So step and fetch this shit
It's time to address and confront these demeaning portrayals head-on.
For all the years we looked like clowns
The black community has been unfairly misrepresented and ridiculed in Hollywood for far too long.
The joke is over smell the smoke from all around
The time for change is now, as the consequences of this systemic discrimination are becoming increasingly evident.
Ice cube is down with the P
Ice Cube is aligned with the struggle for equality and representation in Hollywood.
Now every single bitch wanna see me
Now that Ice Cube is speaking out against the injustices in Hollywood, everyone wants to take notice.
Big daddy is smooth word to mother
Acknowledging that those in power in Hollywood have maintained a smooth facade while perpetuating harmful stereotypes.
Let's check out a flick that exploits the color
Let's watch a film that deliberately exploits and misrepresents black individuals and culture.
Roamin' through Hollywood late at night
Walking through Hollywood at night, seeing the disparities and inequalities that exist in the industry.
Red and blue lights what a common sight
Frequent encounters with law enforcement, highlighting the systemic racism prevalent in the entertainment industry.
Pulled to the curb gettin' played like a sucker
Being unfairly singled out and mistreated by law enforcement due to racial profiling.
Don't fight the power the mother fucker
Challenging the status quo and refusing to accept the oppressive systems in place in Hollywood.
As I walk the streets of Hollywood boulevard
Reflecting on the struggles faced by black actors and individuals who have tried to navigate the discriminatory systems in Hollywood.
Thinkin' how hard it was to those that starred
Considering the difficulties and barriers faced by black actors who have tried to succeed in an industry stacked against them.
In the movies portrayin' the roles
Being typecast into limited and stereotypical roles that perpetuate negative images of black individuals.
Of butlers and maids slaves and hoes
Forced to play roles that diminish and degrade black individuals, reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
Many intelligent black men seemed to look uncivilized
Despite their intelligence and capabilities, black men were often depicted as uncivilized and inferior in movies.
When on the screen
The damaging effects of these misrepresentations were amplified when projected on the big screen.
Like a guess I figure you to play some jigaboo
The expectations to play demeaning and degrading roles, perpetuating stereotypes and diminishing black individuals.
On the plantation, what else can a nigga do
Being relegated to roles that reinforce oppressive power dynamics and historical inequalities for black actors.
And black women in this profession
Black women face even greater challenges and limitations when trying to succeed in Hollywood.
As for playin' a lawyer, out of the question
Roles that challenge stereotypes and empower black women are often denied to them in favor of demeaning portrayals.
For what they play aunt Jemima is the perfect term
Portraying black women in stereotypical roles that limit their potential and reinforce negative imagery.
Even if now she got a perm
Even if the appearance may change, the underlying stereotypes and limitations placed upon black women remain.
So let's make our own movies like spike lee
Advocating for the creation of films that accurately represent and empower the black community, like those made by Spike Lee.
Cause the roles being offered don't strike me
Rejecting the limited and harmful roles being offered to black actors and calling for more diverse and empowering portrayals.
There's nothing that the black man could use to earn
Black men are limited in the opportunities and roles available to them in an industry that perpetuates systemic racism.
Burn Hollywood burn
A call for radical change and the dismantling of the oppressive and discriminatory systems in Hollywood.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: O'Shea Jackson, Keith Boxley, Eric Sadler, Carlton Ridenhour, Antonio M. Hardy, George Clinton Jr.
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@NEELSAN76
The energy in this song never gets old. Hearing Chuck repeat "I smell a riot going on", 30 years later still gets me pumped up.
@codybarry8204
You even put PE on and get goosebumps. After all.these years, never fails.
@coopsawright7225
FUCK YEAH
@SaadNabil
There's already a riot going on! Writer's Strike!
@coopsawright7225
because of censorship and cancel culture gone mad ?@@SaadNabil
@carlosbaja678
Chuck D is muh boi!~
@PTLpdb
Cube took that “make our own movies” line to heart..
@thelastdrive-inscreen2393
Yeah, I remember when black people made their own movies. Now white people make all the black movies the way white people think black people are.
@gregorywilliams7911
That was Kane
@drewfromyay882
@@gregorywilliams7911 he's saying Cube put it into action, not that it was his line.