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.
Curse of Money
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Hey wassup Cube?
Man I'm glad I caught you at your momma' house homey
Wassup man? You still got your pager right or you lost it?
(It's the curse, the curse....the curse, the curse)
why'know my code right? I been pagin you for about a week man
(The curse, the curse) I heard about the deal ya got
Greed, Khop (The curse, the curse)
[Ice Cube]
Do the math baby, do the math (Ch-ching)
Do the math baby, do the math (Ch-ching)
Do the math baby (The curse, the curse)
Do the math baby (The curse, the curse)
It's the curse of money, once you get it, fool you got it
Buy a new pair of drawers and motherfuckers spot it
Niggas plotted, to have me knotted up in basements
till these cocksuckers see what they're faced with
Their fantasies of a life stress-free
Full of orgies, in the Florida Keys
But this bullshit is so thick, it's like mountains
Sick of threatenin all my lawyers and accountants
The decibals, gold diggers goin for the testicles
Soon they realise, I don't invest in hoes
Sometimes it's like hell on earth
When everybody tryin to get your ass for all your worth
It's the curse
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby
(The curse, the curse) Do the math
When you hot, they think you got more than you got
When you not, motherfuckers callin you a flop
I just laugh, the curse everybody want to have
Before you sell your soul better do the math
I start to scream shit like "May day, may day"
'cause motherfuckers think it's all grav-ay wit my pay day
And like I said, it's the curse of money
They start laughin at your jokes when they ain't that funny (Ha ha ha)
See this ass kissin yes man
Shakin hands with the left hand, get my weap-an, get to stepp-an
Fuck every phony ass nigga round me
Stick a shaft up your ass like Richie Roundtree (Yea yea!)
Got to have some gas money if you goin
If not who you fuckin? Who you flowin? Who you owin?
In '98 don't shit come free
Not even hard rhymes that's describin these hard times
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby, do it
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby, aha
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby
(The curse, the curse) Do the math, ooh wee
When you hot, they think you got more than you got
When you not, motherfuckers callin you a flop
I just laugh (haha), the curse everybody want to have
Before you sell your soul better do the math
[Mack 10]
To relax I smoke a stick, the shit make me sick
Gotta gang of new homies, and relatives on my dick
No time for drama, busters get sprayed
Bitches want to get laid, and everybody need their bills paid (Everybody)
Motherfuckers, sweat me like a spy
They want to kick it 'cause I, got the curse of mulah
Make me want to start scrappin and look at me to make it happen
What the fuck was they doin before Mack 10 was rappin ?!? Tell me
(What the fuck?) how can I remain a man of seven figures
when I'm rushed by gold diggers everytime I get bigger? (Ch-ching)
Like David Banner, when I tweak I turn green
And everytime I'm seen it's like people start to fiend
It's the curse
[Ice Cube]
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby (aha)
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby (1 million, 2 million)
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby (3 million)
(The curse, the curse) Do the math
When you hot, they think you got more than you got
Yeah they do
When you not, motherfuckers callin you a flop (Motherfuckers)
I just laugh, the curse everybody want to have
Before you sell your soul better do the math (Better do it)
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby
Get the fuck outta here
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby
With dollar signs in your eyes
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby (Ha ha, sheeit)
(The curse, the curse) Do the math
[Outro - Ice Cube]
Leave your ass broke
Rabbit ears, nigga for pockets, haha he
I'm cursed! Hahaha, but I love it
The song "The Curse of Money" by Ice Cube and Mack 10 is an insightful commentary on the most common pitfalls that come with the acquisition of wealth, as well as the weight of fame and fortune. In the first verse, the rapper delves into the notion that money is, in fact, a curse as it is something that once obtained, is never enough for most people. He highlights the fact that too much money can attract unnecessary ill-intentioned attention, and lead to situations where people try to take advantage of you due to an assumption that you have more than you actually do. In essence, this creates paranoia and disconnect between friends and family, who are only interested in financial gain.
Ice Cube also highlights the fact that there are individuals who use their newfound wealth and resources to explore hedonistic lifestyles, full of luxury, power and pleasure-driven behavior. These illusions and fantasies make others with no money desires for the wealth itself, which leads to all manner of deception and exploitation. In the chorus, the rapper is advising those with a desire to become wealthy to think twice before committing to a path to get rich quickly.
In the case of the third verse, Mack 10 speaks about the things that he has to deal with concerning his wealth. He is constantly being pursued by gold diggers who are only after his money and has difficulty balancing his relationships due to the complications that come with wealth. He, too, highlights the weight and challenges associated with obtaining and maintaining financial success while trying to hold onto one's happiness.
Overall, "The Curse of Money" is a harrowing reminder that having a lot of money does not inherently bring happiness or peace of mind in life.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey wassup Cube?
Sleep is trying to find out how Ice Cube is doing.
Man I'm glad I caught you at your momma' house homey
Sleep is happy to have found Ice Cube at his mother's home.
Wassup man? You still got your pager right or you lost it?
Sleep asks if Ice Cube still has his pager or not.
(It's the curse, the curse....the curse, the curse)
The curse of money is being referred to.
why'know my code right? I been pagin you for about a week man
Sleep tells Ice Cube that he has been paging him for a week now and that he knows Cube's pager code.
(The curse, the curse) I heard about the deal ya got
The curse of money is being referred to again and Sleep mentions that he has heard about Ice Cube's deal.
Greed, Khop (The curse, the curse)
The curse of money is being referred to again and the words 'Greed' and 'Khop' are being associated with it.
Check this out, you owe a nigga somethin man
Sleep tells Ice Cube that he owes him something.
Do the math baby, do the math (Ch-ching)
Ice Cube is telling the listener to do the math regarding how money affects people's lives.
It's the curse of money, once you get it, fool you got it
Money can be a curse once a person obtains it.
Buy a new pair of drawers and motherfuckers spot it
People will notice when someone buys new clothes with money.
Niggas plotted, to have me knotted up in basements
People have plotted to harm Ice Cube due to his wealth.
till these cocksuckers see what they're faced with
The people who plotted against Ice Cube will face his retaliation.
Their fantasies of a life stress-free
People dream of having a life free of stress and worries due to money.
Full of orgies, in the Florida Keys
People envision wild parties and sexual acts in the Florida Keys with money.
But this bullshit is so thick, it's like mountains
The problems that come with money are overwhelming.
Sick of threatenin all my lawyers and accountants
People have even threatened Ice Cube's legal team and accountants due to his wealth.
The decibals, gold diggers goin for the testicles
Gold diggers only care about a wealthy person's money and possessions.
Soon they realise, I don't invest in hoes
Gold diggers realize that Ice Cube doesn't spend his money on them.
Sometimes it's like hell on earth
Money can make life harder than it already is.
When everybody tryin to get your ass for all your worth
Everyone wants a piece of a wealthy person's fortune.
(The curse, the curse) Do the math baby
The curse of money is being referred to again and Ice Cube is telling the listener to do the math.
When you hot, they think you got more than you got
When someone is successful, people assume that they have more money than they actually do.
When you not, motherfuckers callin you a flop
When someone is not as successful, people will criticize them.
I just laugh, the curse everybody want to have
Despite the problems that come with money, many people still want it.
Before you sell your soul better do the math
It is important to calculate the true cost of wealth before pursuing it.
I start to scream shit like "May day, may day"
Ice Cube is overwhelmed by the negative aspects of wealth.
'cause motherfuckers think it's all grav-ay wit my pay day
People believe that Ice Cube's payday is an exciting and prosperous moment.
And like I said, it's the curse of money
The curse of money is being referred to again.
They start laughin at your jokes when they ain't that funny (Ha ha ha)
People will laugh at things that aren't funny just because a wealthy person said it.
See this ass kissin yes man
Some people will agree with and approve of a wealthy person's ideas and behavior simply to stay in their good graces.
Shakin hands with the left hand, get my weap-an, get to stepp-an
People will use deception and betrayal to gain money and power.
Fuck every phony ass nigga round me
Ice Cube wants to cut ties with fake and insincere individuals in his life.
Stick a shaft up your ass like Richie Roundtree (Yea yea!)
Ice Cube is threatening to retaliate against those who have wronged him.
Got to have some gas money if you goin
Ice Cube cannot trust anyone, not even his friends and family, when it comes to money.
If not who you fuckin? Who you flowin? Who you owin?
Ice Cube is questioning the motives of those who ask him for money or favors.
In '98 don't shit come free
Nothing comes for free in the world of wealth and power.
Not even hard rhymes that's describin these hard times
Even a person's ability to create music and entertain comes at a cost in the music industry.
Do the math baby, do it
Ice Cube is again insisting that the listener do the math regarding money.
Aha
Ice Cube is chuckling about the curse of money.
Ooh wee
Ice Cube is laughing at how the curse of money affects people's lives.
Get the fuck outta here
Ice Cube is dismissing people who want his money.
With dollar signs in your eyes
People's desire for money is seen through their eyes.
(Ha ha, sheeit)
Ice Cube is laughing off the absurdity of the curse of money.
Leave your ass broke
The curse of money can lead to bankruptcy and financial ruin.
Rabbit ears, nigga for pockets, haha he
Ice Cube is joking about his empty pockets due to the curse of money.
I'm cursed! Hahaha, but I love it
Despite the hardships, Ice Cube enjoys the perks of wealth and success.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: O'SHEA JACKSON, JOSEPH JOHNSON, JOSEPH CHARLES JR. HEARNE, DEDRICK D'MON ROLISON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Quiet STORMZ
Before you sell your soul better do the math....WORD!
It's June 2020, still banging this shit
Drewdog
I love how the album goes from celebrating "cash over ass" to the "curse of money".
Romeo Juliet
Didnt celebrate it. Listen to the song again theres a listen in it
Laaranen Ripaska
"I'm cursed and I love it".
Paul M.
Gemtria ...do the math
Ronald🇺🇲
Cube was still dropping knowledge in 98' just like he was doing in 88'.. take heed yungins🎤💯💥👍🏾
MC. STORM
The war disk was so fucking dope.
Allen T Davis II
I think a lot of people slept on both CDs all fire I am still bumping this in 2022 😂😂😂😂😂
Andrew Flood
THIS JOINT ON FIRE IN THIS SONG !!!!
Gardy O.G
2022 and still listening 🎧 ☝️