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.
Dead Homiez
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Don't ask why? 'Cause I'm down in a suit and tie
They killed a homie that I went to school with (Damn!)
I tell ya life ain't shit to fool with
I still hear the screams from his mother
While my nigga laid dead in the gutter (Shit!)
And it's getting to my temple
Why is that the only time black folks get to ride in a limo?
And have some bodies hauled in
But no, I pay my respects and I'm through (what up Cube?)
Hug my crew, and maybe shed a tear or two
And I want to get blitz
Grab my 40 ounce and then I reminisce
About a brother who had to be the one and only
So I dedicate this to my dead homies
Another homie got murdered on a shakedown (three gun shots)
And his mother is at the funeral, havin' a nervous breakdown
Two shots hit him in the face when they blasted (two gun shots)
A framed picture and a closed casket
A single file line about 50 cars long
All drivin' slow with they lights on
He got a lot of flowers and a big wreath
What good is that when you're six feet deep?
I look at that shit and gotta think to myself
And thank God for my health
'Cause nobody really ever know
When it's gonna be they family on the front row
So I take everything slow, go with the flow
And shut my motherfuckin' mouth if I don't know (Word!)
'Cause that's what Pops told me
But I wish he could have said it, to my dead homies
I remember we painted our names on the wall for fun
Now it's "Rest in Peace" after every one
Except me, but I ain't the one to front
Seems like I'm viewin' a body every other month
Plus, I knew him when he was yea big
Pour beer on the curb before I take a swig
But somethin' ain't right
When it's a tragedy, that's the only time that the family's tight
Lovin' each other in a caring mood
There's lots of people and lots of food
They say "Be Strong" and you're tryin'
But how strong can you be when you see your Pops cryin'?
So that's why Ice Cube's dressed up
Because the city is so fuckin' messed up
And everybody is so phony
Take a little time, to think about your dead homies
The lyrics to Ice Cube's song "Dead Homiez" deal with the issue of death and its effect on the African American community. The song starts with Cube dressing up in a suit and tie as he is about to attend the funeral of his close friend who was killed on the streets. He describes the pain and grief of his friend's mother and how it affects him deeply. Cube questions why only in death do black people get to ride in a limo and laments the fact that violence has become such a common theme in their lives.
He then goes on to talk about another friend who was killed, and the impact it had on the family, with the mother having a nervous breakdown. He sees the long line of mourners at the funeral, the big wreaths, and the flowers, but he wonders what good those things are when someone is six feet under. Cube reflects on the tragedy of death and how it affects us all. He acknowledges the need to take things slowly and be grateful for what we have, as we never know when it'll be our turn.
In the end, Cube talks about how he once painted names on a wall with his dead friends, but now these names are being painted as "Rest in Peace." He feels the pain of the families who have lost their loved ones and urges people to take some time to think about their dead homies.
Overall, the lyrics of "Dead Homiez" are about the devastating effects of street violence on African American communities. Cube paints a vivid picture of the pain and suffering caused by the loss of a loved one, highlighting the need for unity, strength, and perseverance in the face of such tragedies.
Line by Line Meaning
Up early in the morning dressed in black
I wake up early in the morning and wear black clothes as a sign of mourning for my dead friend.
Don't ask why? 'Cause I'm down in a suit and tie
I'm wearing a suit and tie as a sign of respect for my deceased friend.
They killed a homie that I went to school with (Damn!)
One of my friends from school was killed and it's a tragedy.
I tell ya life ain't shit to fool with
Life is unpredictable and can be taken away at any moment.
I still hear the screams from his mother
I still remember the sound of my friend's mother screaming in anguish after she found out her son had been killed.
While my nigga laid dead in the gutter (Shit!)
My friend's dead body was lying on the street and it was a traumatic sight.
And it's getting to my temple
I'm getting angry and upset.
Why is that the only time black folks get to ride in a limo?
When black people die, it's only then that they get the respect and luxury of riding in a limousine.
It makes me so mad I want to get my sawed-in
I'm so frustrated and angry that I feel like getting a weapon to seek revenge.
And have some bodies hauled in
I want to harm those who were responsible for my friend's death.
But no, I pay my respects and I'm through (what up Cube?)
Instead of seeking revenge, I pay my respects and move on.
Hug my crew, and maybe shed a tear or two
I seek comfort from my friends and express my grief by shedding some tears.
And I want to get blitz
I want to get drunk to numb the pain.
Grab my 40 ounce and then I reminisce
I drink a 40 ounce bottle of alcohol and think about the good memories shared with my deceased friend.
About a brother who had to be the one and only
I think about my friend who was unique and irreplaceable.
So I dedicate this to my dead homies
I dedicate this moment to remembering all the friends I've lost.
Another homie got murdered on a shakedown (three gun shots)
Another one of my friends was murdered, this time during a search or investigation.
And his mother is at the funeral, havin' a nervous breakdown
His mother is at the funeral and is becoming extremely emotional and distressed.
Two shots hit him in the face when they blasted (two gun shots)
He was shot twice in the face during the attack.
A framed picture and a closed casket
The only things left to remember him by are a framed photograph and a closed casket.
A single file line about 50 cars long
There is a long procession of about 50 cars following the hearse.
All drivin' slow with they lights on
All the cars are driving slowly with their headlights on as a sign of respect.
He got a lot of flowers and a big wreath
There are many flowers and a large wreath at his funeral.
What good is that when you're six feet deep?
It doesn't matter how beautiful the flowers are when you're dead and buried in the ground.
I look at that shit and gotta think to myself
I look at all the flowers and decorations and it makes me reflect on life.
And thank God for my health
It makes me grateful to be alive and healthy.
'Cause nobody really ever know
Nobody knows when their time will come to die.
When it's gonna be they family on the front row
Eventually, someone's family will be mourning them instead.
So I take everything slow, go with the flow
I try to live my life at a steady pace and not take anything for granted.
And shut my motherfuckin' mouth if I don't know (Word!)
I try not to speak out of turn or say anything without knowing the facts.
'Cause that's what Pops told me
My father gave me this advice.
But I wish he could have said it, to my dead homies
I wish my father could have given this advice to my friends who have died.
I remember we painted our names on the wall for fun
I remember a time when my friends and I painted our names on a wall just for fun.
Now it's 'Rest in Peace' after every one
Now, after each of those friends has died, we say 'Rest in Peace' in their memory.
Except me, but I ain't the one to front
I'm still alive, but I don't pretend to be invincible.
Seems like I'm viewin' a body every other month
It seems like someone I know dies every month.
Plus, I knew him when he was yea big
I knew this friend when they were much younger.
Pour beer on the curb before I take a swig
I pour out some beer as a symbolic gesture to honor my friend's memory before drinking the rest.
But somethin' ain't right
Something is not right with the way things are going.
When it's a tragedy, that's the only time that the family's tight
It's ironic that it often takes a tragedy to bring a family together and make them show each other love and support.
Lovin' each other in a caring mood
The family is showing love and care for each other during this tragic time.
There's lots of people and lots of food
There are many people and lots of food at the gathering after the funeral.
They say 'Be Strong' and you're tryin'
People are telling the family to be strong and they are doing their best to do so.
But how strong can you be when you see your Pops cryin'?
It's hard to be strong and keep it together when even your own father is breaking down and crying.
So that's why Ice Cube's dressed up
I'm dressed up for the funeral out of respect for my deceased friend.
Because the city is so fuckin' messed up
The city is in a state of chaos and dysfunction with so many people dying.
And everybody is so phony
People are fake and insincere during tragedies, pretending to care when they really don't.
Take a little time, to think about your dead homies
I encourage others to take a moment to remember their own friends who have passed away.
Lyrics ยฉ Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: O'Shea Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Verso 1] Levantarse temprano en la maรฑana, vestido de negro ยฟNo preguntes por quรฉ? Porque estoy de traje y corbata Mataron a un amigo con el que fui a la escuela (ยกMaldita sea!) Te digo que la vida no es una mierda para engaรฑar Aun escucho los gritos de su madre Mientras mi negro yacรญa muerto en la cuneta (ยกMierda!) Y estรก llegando a mi sien ยฟPor quรฉ es esa la รบnica vez que los negros pueden viajar en limusina? Me enoja tanto que quiero que me recorten Y hacer que se lleven algunos cuerpos Pero no, presento mis respetos y terminรฉ Abrazo a mi tripulaciรณn, (ยฟQuรฉ tal Cube?) Y tal vez derrame una lรกgrima o dos Entonces quiero ser bombardeado Agarro mis 40 onzas y luego recuerdo Sobre un hermano que tenรญa que ser el รบnico Asรญ que dedico esto a mi homiez muerto [Verso 2] Otro homie fue asesinado en un shakedown {3 disparos} Y su madre estรก en el funeral, sufriendo un ataque de nervios Dos disparos le dieron en la cara cuando dispararon {2 disparos} Una imagen enmarcada y un ataรบd cerrado. Una sola lรญnea de archivo de unos 50 coches de largo. Todos conduciendo lento con las luces encendidas Tiene muchas flores y una gran corona ยฟDe quรฉ sirve eso cuando tienes seis pies de profundidad? Miro esa mierda y tengo que pensar para mรญ mismo Y gracias a dios por mi salud Porque nadie realmente lo supo ยฟCuรกndo serรก su familia en la primera fila? Asรญ que tomo todo con calma, voy con la corriente Y cierra mi maldita boca si no lo sรฉ (ยกPalabra!) Porque eso es lo que me dijo Pops Pero desearรญa que pudiera haberlo dicho ... a mi homiez muerto [Verso 3] Recuerdo que pintamos nuestros nombres en la pared por diversiรณn Ahora es "Descansa en paz" despuรฉs de cada uno Excepto yo, pero yo no soy el que estรก al frente Parece que estoy viendo un cuerpo despuรฉs de cada mes Ademรกs, lo conocรญ cuando era grande Vierta cerveza en la acera antes de tomar un trago Pero algo no estรก bien Cuando es una tragedia, esa es la รบnica vez que la familia estรก unida Amarnos unos a otros en un estado de รกnimo cariรฑoso Hay mucha gente y mucha comida Dicen "Sรฉ fuerte" y lo estรกs intentando Pero, ยฟquรฉ tan fuerte puedes ser cuando ves a tu papรก llorando? Entonces es por eso que Ice Cube estรก disfrazado Porque la ciudad estรก tan jodidamente desordenada Y todo el mundo es tan falso Tรณmate un poco de tiempo ... para pensar en tu homiez muerto
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MrEnjoyBeats
This is real talent here man, Ice Cube had the mind, the street smarts, the motivation and the lyrical skills.
onelove
+MrEnjoyBeats - Definitely!
MarcIsOldies12
He was so young too while making all these raps. Cube was waaayyyyyyyyy ahead of his time
Chri s
Ice cube is the best homie!
Floyd Sumlin
@onelove WHO IS THIS
conti cardwell king
A as q๐
Phillip Collier
In loving memory of all the hip hop and R&B stars. May all y'all rest in peace ๐๏ธ
Samuel Momodu
Ice Cube is one of the best storytellers in Hip Hop history.
FLY KiCkZ
Nah, Slick Rick
x outrage
@FLY KiCkZ he said one of the best not the best