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.
Don't Bring Me No Bag
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
These mother fuckers think it's CVS around this bitch
Tell him we ain't 'bout that shit
Yo, who is it?
Um, Nick
Yo, nigga, what up?
Oh, nothin'
You-you said 1 o'clock
I don't give a fuck what I said, nigga
I don't get out the bed before two-thirty
Don't come through this motherfucker so early next time, nigga
Understood
Let's see what'chu got
Ain't 'bout to count no money, ain't sellin' no dope
Don't bring me no bag, I want a envelope
Ain't 'bout to count no money, nah, ain't sellin' no dope
Don't bring me no bag, I want a envelope
Ain't no disrespect, well maybe it is
Ain't no trappin' here, well look here now, bitch
Ain't no Oxycontin, no coke or no fizz
Have you forgotten who the fuck that I is?
Trap or die, that's a lie, niggas fry or testify
Super fly, get super high, jigga boo shit, supersize
Niggas do shit and justify
You can do shit and get euthanized
I could do shit, that's no surprise
Serve your ass, two piece and fries
Ain't 'bout to count no money, ain't sellin' no dope
Don't bring me no bag, I want a envelope
Ain't 'bout to count no money, nah, ain't sellin' no dope
Don't bring me no bag, I want a envelope
You niggas high as fuck, got slow reaction
I done sobered up and I'm down for action
And I fuck you up, if you come 'round askin'
Don't try to play me like I'm Anglo-Saxon
You a mouse in a trap house, I'm a dog in a cat house
I'm comin' like Harriet Tubman, you comin' like Harry the drug man
Some niggas don't give a fuck, man, 'bout they own people sufferin'
Talkin' 'bout that they strugglin', made somethin' from nothin'
Ain't 'bout to count no money, ain't sellin' no dope
Don't bring me no bag, I want a envelope
Ain't 'bout to count no money, nah, ain't sellin' no dope
Don't bring me no bag, I want a envelope
I'ma kill me a dope dealer
I'ma douse me a trap house
Who let the dogs out?
I'ma make niggas crawl out
I'ma make niggas call out to Jesus and they momma (Jesus and they momma)
Right before they vomit (before they vomit) blood out they stomach (blood out they stomach)
This for my auntie, she smoked your shit daily
And this'll make you crumble, yeah, just like it did my uncle
And this'll make you meet your maker, understand that he's the baker
Got your ass on the slab now you the dope for the undertaker
Ain't 'bout to count no money, ain't sellin' no dope
Don't bring me no bag, I want a envelope
Ain't 'bout to count no money, nah, ain't sellin' no dope
Don't bring me no bag, I want a envelope
Don't bring me no bag
Don't bring me no bag
You-you a mouse in a trap house (trap house), I'ma dog in a cat house (cat house)
You-you a mouse in a trap house (trap house), I'ma dog in a cat house (cat house)
You-you a mouse in a trap house (trap house), I'ma dog in a cat house (cat house)
You a mouse in a trap house (trap house), I'ma dog in a cat house
Ice Cube's song "Don't Bring Me No Bag" is a gritty rap track that is full of aggression and bravado. The song opens up with a conversation between two people, and one of them complains about how early the other person has come over. The lyrics are a warning to drug dealers who try to sell Ice Cube drugs, telling them not to bring him anything in "a bag." He wants "an envelope" instead, indicating that he is not interested in any illicit activities. He also warns his listeners that he will not tolerate any disrespect or attempts to deceive him.
In the second verse, Ice Cube takes aim at trap music, saying that it is a lie that glorifies crime and glamorizes drug use. He also criticizes those who justify their illegal activities by claiming that they are simply trying to make a living. Ice Cube claims that he will do whatever it takes to stop drug dealers and help those who are addicted to drugs.
The third verse is where Ice Cube really turns up the intensity, saying that he will kill dope dealers and destroy trap houses. He calls himself a dog in a cat house, indicating that he is a predator who is not afraid to confront his enemies head-on. He also references his deceased uncle and auntie, who were both affected by drugs, suggesting that this is a personal issue for him.
Overall, "Don't Bring Me No Bag" is a powerful statement against the drug culture that has plagued inner-city communities for decades. Ice Cube's lyrics are honest and straightforward, highlighting the dangers of drug use while also condemning those who profit from it.
Line by Line Meaning
Hey man, get the door
Someone is knocking on the door and Ice Cube is asking someone else to answer it.
These mother fuckers think it's CVS around this bitch
The people knocking on the door are acting like this is a drug transaction, not just a visit.
Tell him we ain't 'bout that shit
Ice Cube doesn't want to be involved in any drug-related activities.
Ain't 'bout to count no money, ain't sellin' no dope
Don't bring me no bag, I want a envelope
Ice Cube is making it clear that he's not going to participate in any drug transactions and only wants to receive money in an envelope.
Ain't no disrespect, well maybe it is
Ain't no trappin' here, well look here now, bitch
Ain't no Oxycontin, no coke or no fizz
Have you forgotten who the fuck that I is?
Some people may take offense to Ice Cube's refusal to participate in drug activity, but he's making it clear that he's not interested and that he's a well-known figure who shouldn't be messed with.
Trap or die, that's a lie, niggas fry or testify
Super fly, get super high, jigga boo shit, supersize
Niggas do shit and justify
You can do shit and get euthanized
I could do shit, that's no surprise
Serve your ass, two piece and fries
Ice Cube is pointing out the hypocrisy of people involved in drug activity and saying that he's not afraid to defend himself if necessary.
You niggas high as fuck, got slow reaction
I done sobered up and I'm down for action
And I fuck you up, if you come 'round askin'
Don't try to play me like I'm Anglo-Saxon
Ice Cube is saying that he's more alert and ready for action than the people involved in drugs, and that he'll defend himself if necessary. He's also saying that he shouldn't be underestimated because he's Black.
I'ma kill me a dope dealer
I'ma douse me a trap house
Who let the dogs out?
I'ma make niggas crawl out
I'ma make niggas call out to Jesus and they momma (Jesus and they momma)
Right before they vomit (before they vomit) blood out they stomach (blood out they stomach)
This for my auntie, she smoked your shit daily
And this'll make you crumble, yeah, just like it did my uncle
And this'll make you meet your maker, understand that he's the baker
Got your ass on the slab now you the dope for the undertaker
Ice Cube is saying that he's willing to take extreme actions against anyone involved in drug activity, and that he's doing it to avenge his aunt who was a drug user. He's warning people who deal drugs that they could end up dead or in jail.
Don't bring me no bag
Don't bring me no bag
You-you a mouse in a trap house (trap house), I'ma dog in a cat house (cat house)
You-you a mouse in a trap house (trap house), I'ma dog in a cat house (cat house)
You-you a mouse in a trap house (trap house), I'ma dog in a cat house (cat house)
You a mouse in a trap house (trap house), I'ma dog in a cat house
Ice Cube is reiterating his stance that he won't participate in drug transactions and is comparing himself to a dominant dog in a drug-filled environment.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: O'Shea Jackson, Shawn Johnson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alishabazz5905
GROWN MAN RAP💯✊🏿🤴🏿
@FilthyFrankenjoyer
Grove Street 4 Life
@shyg5929
Truly
@nooneasked6800
@@FilthyFrankenjoyer lmaoooo
@zerenio
Wtf?
@fredflintstone522
Yes, sir I'm bout that life, hit em wit the real , forever!!!!
@drdeni
Return of the OG 🔥🔥🔥
@drdeni
@Eazy E are you actually talking to me b****?? Who's talking here about 80 and 90 you dumb fuck hidin behind Eazy E's name brave man... fuck off hater
@lamoygarwood5987
Make a hit without prompting drug use.. wow what a surprise.. only a true living legend can show these modern rappers how its done
@taulimyguillen8183
Lamoy Garwood
I feel u but that only works with ice cube the Saurius