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 Trust 'Em
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
No, that's the old style
In ninety two, shit ain't quite the same
Bitches got a brand new game, yo
It's kinda hard to see
But the dating game ain't what it used to be
Back in the day, if a ho wanted ya dough
She give you a piece of ass and there we go
You be broke and locked up
But the news done hit
Bitches all over on some new improved shit
To y'all macks
Come to find out that bitches are pullin' jacks
I remember every night all you had to worry about
Was gettin' caught at a red light
And the nigga jack you for your date and chains
Now shit done changed
'Cause you gots to watch the ones in the skirt
And it ain't about getti'n burnt
I know it sounds strange, but could you
Stop thinkin with ya dick for a change
'Cause you'll get a bullet in your brain, Mr Rich
And about that bitch, don't trust 'em
(Ice Cube comin at'cha with a crazy pitch)
Don't trust no (bitch! Bitch! Bitch!)
(Ice Cube comin at'cha with a crazy pitch)
You can't trust no (bitch! Bitch! Bitch!)
(Ice Cube comin at'cha with a crazy pitch)
Don't trust no (bitch! Bitch! Bitch!)
(Ice Cube comin at'cha with a crazy pitch)
You can't trust no (bitch! Bitch! Bitch!)
Here's how the bitches jack
They try to catch a dumb nigga in the act
You came to the club
Stepped to the bar
And pulled out a wad of dubs
After you got buzzed, she walk by
You saw how big her ass was
Got her on the dancefloor
And she started dancin' like a ho
Jimmy got stiff, she ain't have a ride home
So you gave the bitch a lift
She didn't wanna trouble you
But hopped her big ass in your BMW
Hopped to her house and started kissin'
And Jimmy just wouldn't listen
'Cause you got real horny
And that ain't cool at four in the morning
Started undressing the ho
Got to the drawers and the ho said "No!
"Not on the first date
"It's gettin kinda late, could you come back at eight?"
You said "Yeah!" 'Cause you thought you met a wholesome ho
But nigga, she know you rollin' in some dough
And you'll regret and somethin 'bout a bitch you just met
Don't trust em!
Eight o'clock on the dot, nigga's hot
Dick hard as a rock
Straight on a solo creep
Can't wait till her little boy go to sleep
So you can seduce the G
Bust a nut and make an excuse to leave
You got her worked out 'cause you the man
But the bitch got different plans
She said "Take off your clothes, jump in the bed"
While she powder her nose
You get butt naked, 'cause you ready to wreck it!
'Cause you's a motherfuckin' pro, next thing you know
The door flies open with a blast
With four niggas in ski masks
Pointin' a gun at the pimp
You're scared as a motherfucker and Jimmy done went limp
They beat you down just a taste
Take ya to your house and make ya open up the safe
Drove you far, tied up in the trunk of your own fuckin' car
Take you out and pop the cap
I told you the bitch was a trap
Don't trust 'em!
(Ice Cube comin at'cha with a crazy pitch)
Don't trust no (bitch! Bitch! Bitch!)
(Ice Cube comin at'cha with a crazy pitch)
You can't trust no (bitch! Bitch! Bitch!)
(Ice Cube comin at'cha with a crazy pitch)
Don't trust no (bitch! Bitch! Bitch!)
(Ice Cube comin at'cha with a crazy pitch)
You can't trust no (bitch! Bitch! Bitch!)
Ice Cube's song "Don't Trust 'Em" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of trusting women who are after money and status. Cube explains that the dating game has changed since "back in the day" when women would trade sex for money and a man would only have to worry about being robbed at a red light. Now, Cube warns, women have "a brand new game" where they try to seduce men into vulnerability and eventually rob them with the help of accomplices. The message of the song is clear: men should be careful about who they trust and should not let their desires cloud their judgment.
Cube's storytelling is vivid and explicit, describing how men can fall into these traps. He paints a picture of a woman with a "big butt and a smile" who seduces a man, gets him to bring her to his house, and then sets him up to be robbed. He also describes how women might use sex to lure men in, only to betray them when they are vulnerable. Cube's lyrics are a warning to men everywhere to be careful before trusting anyone who seems too good to be true.
Overall, "Don't Trust 'Em" is a dark and cautionary song about the dangers of the dating world. It reminds us that we must be aware of who we trust and not let our desires cloud our judgment.
Line by Line Meaning
You can't trust a big butt and a smile
Looks can be deceiving and people may not be trustworthy despite appearing charming
No, that's the old style
The old dating game and tactics are no longer relevant in today's world
In ninety two, shit ain't quite the same
The world has changed and grown more complex over time, especially when it comes to dating and relationships
Bitches got a brand new game, yo
Women have developed new and improved ways to manipulate men
It's kinda hard to see
It is not always easy to recognize when someone is playing a game or trying to deceive you
But the dating game ain't what it used to be
Traditional dating norms and principles have been replaced by a more sophisticated and dangerous game
Back in the day, if a ho wanted ya dough
In the past, women who wanted money from men would offer sex in exchange for it
She give you a piece of ass and there we go
Women would offer sex as a way to get money and men would accept the deal
Go and get knocked up and then get socked up
Women would trap men by becoming pregnant and then demanding money for the child or situations would turn violent if the man didn't comply
You be broke and locked up
If a man got played or tricked, he would often end up broke or even in jail
But the new's done hit
A new approach to dating has emerged in recent times
Bitches all over on some new improved shit
Women are now more confident in their ability to manipulate men and have developed new tactics to get what they want
To y'all macks
To all the players and smooth talkers
Come to find out that bitches are pullin jacks
Men are discovering that women are playing them and taking their money
I remember every night all you had to worry about
In the past, men only had to worry about getting robbed by someone else, not their date
Was gettin caught at a red light
Men only had to worry about getting robbed or played if they stopped at a red light
And the nigga jack you for your date and chains;
Thieves would rob men of their valuables like their jewelry, car or money
Now shit done changed
The dating game has evolved and men need to be more careful and aware
Cos you gots to watch the ones in the skirt
Men need to be cautious and aware of the women they are dating
And it ain't about gettin burnt
It's not about catching an STD but rather getting played or conned out of money or valuables
I know it sounds strange, but could you
I know it may seem unusual, but can you
Stop thinkin with ya dick for a change
Men need to start thinking more logically and rationally instead of letting their hormones lead them
Cos you'll get a bullet in your brain, Mr Rich
If you don't start being careful and smart, you may end up dead or bankrupted by a woman
And about that bitch, don't trust em
Women may not have your best interests at heart and you should not blindly trust them
Here's how the bitches jack
Here's how women trick and manipulate men
They try to catch a dumb nigga in the act
They try to trick and take advantage of an unsuspecting or foolish man
You came to the club
You went out to a bar or night club
Stepped to the bar
Went up to the bar to order a drink
And pulled out a wad of Doves
Displayed a lot of money in front of the woman
After you got buzzed, she walk by
After you had some drinks, the woman walked by you
You saw how big her ass was
You were attracted to her physical appearance
Got her on the dancefloor
You convinced her to come with you to the dance floor
And she started dancin like a ho
She began acting promiscuous or in a sexually suggestive way
Jimmy got stiff, she ain't have a ride home
You became aroused and she pretended to not have a way to leave the club
So you gave the bitch a lift
You offered to give her a ride home
She didn't wanna trouble you
She pretended to not want to inconvenience you
But hopped her big ass in your BMW
She took advantage of the situation and got in your nice car
Hopped to her house and started kissin
She kissed you and acted like she was interested in you
And Jimmy just wouldn't listen
Your hormones and desire for sex prevented you from being cautious or aware
Cos you got real horny
You became extremely sexually aroused and lost your rational thinking
And that ain't cool at four in the morning
It's not wise to engage in sexual activities with someone you don't really know at that time of night/morning
Started undressing the ho
You began taking off the woman's clothes
Got to the drawers and the ho said "No!
She stopped you and refused to have sex
"Not on the first date
She refused to have sex with you on the first night
"It's gettin kinda late, could you come back at eight?"
She asked you to come back another time
You said "Yeah!" cos you thought you met a wholesome ho
You agreed because you thought the woman was decent and honest
But nigga, she know you rollin in some dough
But the woman knew that you had money and hoped to take advantage of you
And you'll regret and somethin 'bout a bitch you just met
You will end up regretting getting involved with a woman you barely know
Eight o'clock on the dot, nigga's hot
It's now eight and you're excited and eager to finally have sex with the woman
Dick hard as a rock
You are extremely aroused
Straight on a solo
You went to her house/in her room alone
Creep
You arrived as quietly and sneakily as possible
Can't wait till her little boy go to sleep
You are anxious to have sex with her and are waiting for her child to go to bed
So you can seduce the G
You plan to seduce and have sex with the woman
Bust a nut and make an excuse to leave
You plan to orgasm and then leave immediately after without any explanation or commitment
You got her worked out cos you the man
You believe that you have successfully figured out the woman and can manipulate her into having sex with you
But the bitch got diff'rent plans
The woman has different intentions than what you had assumed
She said "Take off your clothes, jump in the bed"
She asked you to undress and get in bed with her
While she powder her nose
She left to use the bathroom or another room for a moment
You get butt naked, cos you ready to wreck it!
You strip down to nothing because you're eager to have sex
Cos you's a motherfuckin pro, next thing you know
You believe yourself to be very skilled at having sex
The door flies open with a blast
Suddenly, the door slams open loudly
With four niggas in ski masks
Four men with ski masks bust into the room
Pointin a gun at the pimp
The men are holding a gun and pointing it at you
You're scared as a motherfucker and Jimmy done went limp
You're terrified and have lost your erection
They beat you down just a taste
They physically assault you just enough to make a point
Take ya to your house and make ya open up the safe
They force you to go to your house and open your safe or give them money
Drove you far, tied up in the trunk of your own fuckin car
They force you into the trunk of your own car and drive you elsewhere
Take you out and pop the cap
They kill you
I told you the bitch was a trap
The woman was in on the plan to rob and/or kill you
Don't trust em!
Ice Cube reiterates his warning to not trust women blindly
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Donald Jay Fagen, Walter Carl Becker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@TheBlackKakashi
This is a song that every father should have their son listen to
@stephenjackson4195
done it
@derekminns2332
Exactly
@chrisaddison114
Hahahahaha. So true
@marcustraan3935
My father done did it
My son is on the way,
So i’m passin’ the Knowledge!
@THERSC216
I was 7 when this album came out and he let me listen to this and it taught me. Never got robbed by a home invasion but yeah I learned cause girls I messed with did get me.
@bigmike1973ful
ice cube was ahead of his time he always kept it 100
@gregorycampbell2164
Ice cube is the prophet of gangsta rap
@RonnieMyers777
This song saved men's lives AND bank accounts
@Funktastic_Ed
Sample from Steely Dan's Green Earrings