O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, … Read Full Bio ↴O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the seminal rap group N.W.A (Niggaz Wit Attitudes). After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he began both a successful solo music career and an acting career which included roles in films such as Boyz n the Hood (1991), Friday (1995), for which he also co-wrote the screenplay, and Barbershop (2002). Additionally, he has served as one of the producers of the Showtime television series Barbershop and the TBS series Are We There Yet?, both of which are based upon films in which he portrayed the main character.
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.
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.
Can You Dig It
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
Can I get you something?
'S'mofo butter layin' me to da' bone! Jackin' me up, tight me!
I'm sorry, I don't understand
Cutty say 'e can't hang!
Oh, stewardess! I speak jive
Oh, good
Jus' hang loose, blood
She gonna catch ya up on da rebound on da med side
What it is, big mama? My mama no raise no dummies, I dug her rap!
Cut me some slack, Jack! Chump don' want no help, chump don't get da help!
Say 'e can't hang, say seven up!
Jive-ass dude don't got no brains anyhow! Shit
I got my bell bottoms on with my cherry incense
My tailor-made slacks with the dick print
My afro pick with the black fist
I'm Jim Brown, bitch, Kung Fu kick
Platform shoes out the mother ship
Talk shit, swallow, spit, I'm a pimp
Whitewalls and a black leather coat
Where's my bread, sucka?
Grab ya by the throat
Callin' all cars, one-adam-twelve
Pretty ass nigga, you better stick yourself
Militant, don't call me Cassius
Dashiki, I got to be the blackest
I'm Isaac Hayes with a switchblade
I'm Rodney Allen Rippy, come fuck with me
I'm just tryna tell ya, "Young blood, best respect your elders"
Right on
I'm comin' straight from the 70's
Super fly in my perm and my leather P's
I'm comin' straight from the 70's
Super fly in my perm and my leather P's
Sho-nuff
I'm comin' straight from the 70s
Old school playa, fuck what they tellin' me
Can you dig it?
I'm comin' straight from the 70's
Old school playa, fuck what they tellin' me
House parties, pop-lockin' and pickin'
Starter jackets, got my Jheri curl drippin'
Gangbangin', yeah, Bloodin' and Crippin'
Forty ounce sippin', '6-4 dippin'
No shoe strings, nigga, say word
I'm Magic Johnson, you Larry Bird (damn)
The day they blew up a rocket, I was lookin' at my beeper with a rock in my pocket, slangin'
Double up
Michael Jackson vs. Prince
Atari 2600, I don' done it
See that fat gold chain? Nigga, run it
I got my jimmy hat on 'cause I don't want it
Mike Tyson, who's my opponent?
Quick as Carl Lewis, be back in a moment
I won't shoot ya, nigga, I might nuke you, nigga
In my DeLorean, Back to the Future, nigga
Fresh
I'm comin' straight from the 80's
With my Jheri curl and my Mercedes
I'm comin' straight from the 80's
With my Jheri curl and my Mercedes
Word up
I'm comin' straight from the 80's
With my fat gold chain for the ladies (can you dig it?)
I'm comin' straight from the 80's
With my fat gold chain for the ladies
Man, you know what I'm sportin'
A short haircut, everything Jordan
That's right, a nigga played on the dream team
I had to let 'em know that it's a G Thang
It's a black thing, you wouldn't understand
Shaquille O'Neal the real Superman
Boy, I hit like Roy
Versace, Versace to all the real D-Boyz
In the crack spot with a laptop
Bumpin' that Biggie Smalls and 2Pac
French braid and weed heads
Where'd all these niggas come from with these dreads?
And during Y2K, I had a bootleg DVD watchin' Friday (yay yay)
So what I'm tryna tell ya, "Pump yo brakes, respect your elders"
Baby-baby
I'm comin' straight from the 90's
I keep it gangsta, gutter and grimy
I'm comin' straight from the 90's
I keep it gangsta, gutter and grimy
Fo-sho
I'm comin' straight from the 90's
Triple OG, you know where to find me (can you dig it?)
I'm comin' straight from the 90's
Triple OG, you know where to find me
Fresh for 2018
I'm an ex-gangbanger from Los Angeles
I've been to jail, fighting, partying, low riding
But you learn as you get older
You must become a man one day and put away childish things
Can you dig it?
Can you dig it?
Can you dig it? (Yeah!)
'S'mofo butter layin' me to da' bone! Jackin' me up, tight me!
I'm sorry, I don't understand
Cutty say 'e can't hang!
Oh, stewardess! I speak jive
Oh, good
Jus' hang loose, blood
What it is, big mama? My mama no raise no dummies, I dug her rap!
Cut me some slack, Jack! Chump don' want no help, chump don't get da help!
Say 'e can't hang, say seven up!
Jive-ass dude don't got no brains anyhow! Shit
I got my bell bottoms on with my cherry incense
My tailor-made slacks with the dick print
My afro pick with the black fist
I'm Jim Brown, bitch, Kung Fu kick
Platform shoes out the mother ship
Talk shit, swallow, spit, I'm a pimp
Whitewalls and a black leather coat
Where's my bread, sucka?
Grab ya by the throat
Callin' all cars, one-adam-twelve
Pretty ass nigga, you better stick yourself
Militant, don't call me Cassius
Dashiki, I got to be the blackest
I'm Isaac Hayes with a switchblade
I'm Rodney Allen Rippy, come fuck with me
I'm just tryna tell ya, "Young blood, best respect your elders"
Right on
I'm comin' straight from the 70's
Super fly in my perm and my leather P's
I'm comin' straight from the 70's
Super fly in my perm and my leather P's
Sho-nuff
I'm comin' straight from the 70s
Old school playa, fuck what they tellin' me
Can you dig it?
I'm comin' straight from the 70's
Old school playa, fuck what they tellin' me
House parties, pop-lockin' and pickin'
Starter jackets, got my Jheri curl drippin'
Gangbangin', yeah, Bloodin' and Crippin'
Forty ounce sippin', '6-4 dippin'
No shoe strings, nigga, say word
I'm Magic Johnson, you Larry Bird (damn)
The day they blew up a rocket, I was lookin' at my beeper with a rock in my pocket, slangin'
Double up
Michael Jackson vs. Prince
Atari 2600, I don' done it
See that fat gold chain? Nigga, run it
I got my jimmy hat on 'cause I don't want it
Mike Tyson, who's my opponent?
Quick as Carl Lewis, be back in a moment
I won't shoot ya, nigga, I might nuke you, nigga
In my DeLorean, Back to the Future, nigga
Fresh
I'm comin' straight from the 80's
With my Jheri curl and my Mercedes
I'm comin' straight from the 80's
With my Jheri curl and my Mercedes
Word up
I'm comin' straight from the 80's
With my fat gold chain for the ladies (can you dig it?)
I'm comin' straight from the 80's
With my fat gold chain for the ladies
Man, you know what I'm sportin'
A short haircut, everything Jordan
That's right, a nigga played on the dream team
I had to let 'em know that it's a G Thang
It's a black thing, you wouldn't understand
Shaquille O'Neal the real Superman
Boy, I hit like Roy
Versace, Versace to all the real D-Boyz
In the crack spot with a laptop
Bumpin' that Biggie Smalls and 2Pac
French braid and weed heads
Where'd all these niggas come from with these dreads?
And during Y2K, I had a bootleg DVD watchin' Friday (yay yay)
So what I'm tryna tell ya, "Pump yo brakes, respect your elders"
Baby-baby
I'm comin' straight from the 90's
I keep it gangsta, gutter and grimy
I'm comin' straight from the 90's
I keep it gangsta, gutter and grimy
Fo-sho
I'm comin' straight from the 90's
Triple OG, you know where to find me (can you dig it?)
I'm comin' straight from the 90's
Triple OG, you know where to find me
Fresh for 2018
I'm an ex-gangbanger from Los Angeles
I've been to jail, fighting, partying, low riding
But you learn as you get older
You must become a man one day and put away childish things
Can you dig it?
Can you dig it?
Can you dig it? (Yeah!)
In "Can You Dig It?" by Ice Cube, the lyrics are a mix of slang, cultural references, and personal reflections that highlight the artist's identity and journey through different eras. The song starts with a playful exchange of phrases, showcasing the artist's ability to adapt to different languages and dialects. It also suggests a desire for understanding and connection.
Ice Cube then transitions into a verse that pays homage to the 70s. He references various cultural elements like bell-bottom pants, cherry incense, Jim Brown (an iconic football player and actor), and Kung Fu. These references encapsulate the spirit and style of the 70s, reflecting Ice Cube's appreciation for that era. The use of slang and assertive language convey a sense of confidence and pride in his heritage and culture.
The second verse shifts to the 80s, where he mentions house parties, Jheri curls, and the rise of gang culture. Ice Cube recalls popular figures like Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, highlighting his knowledge and love for sports. While he touches on some serious subjects like violence and drug dealing, he tempers it with humor, providing a glimpse into his mindset during that time. The reference to Back to the Future signifies his desire for progress and personal growth.
Moving into the 90s, Ice Cube adopts a more aggressive and confrontational tone. He boasts about being on the Dream Team alongside basketball superstar Shaquille O'Neal and describes his affinity for gangsta rap and hip-hop icons like The Notorious B.I.G. and 2Pac. The lyrics reflect the rough and gritty nature of 90s street culture while also emphasizing the importance of respecting one's elders and acknowledging the lessons they can impart.
Overall, "Can You Dig It?" serves as a personal reflection on Ice Cube's upbringing, his experiences as a gang member, as well as his growth and maturation as an individual. The use of slang, cultural references, and clever wordplay add depth and authenticity to the lyrics, while also showcasing Ice Cube's unique storytelling ability and his ability to connect with his audience.
Lyrics © GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC GROUP INC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dee Underdue, O'Shea Jackson, Teak Alger Underdue
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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@mamaimacriminal
Old Ice Cube Came Back
@brandanlewis4192
Fool I love ur tag name 🤣😂
@brotheramanuel4359
Triple OG cuh
@burakcoskun1865
he never left
@mightyraccoon7155
He never left
@graydontretter4610
this song was made in like 2018
@alanducks6842
I am officially happy finally a modern rap tune with that old school feel. None of that generic background beat crap!
@TechG
shid then check me out.
@craigmitchels272
Long live the old school
@dawnywarthog6642
I'm stoked I was alive to experience each of these decades. My first rap song heard in 1978. It was on from there. I know I'm not alone when I say late 80's and the 90's hip hop is unbeatable.