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.
Fire Water
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
How'my gon' die?
Will it be a bullet wound?
Will they die at the hands of the police?
Here's how I think I'ma go
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
I'ma die of the good life
Fire water
Fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit
Fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit
Fire water
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
I'm a animal, my spit's flammable
This is Hannibal, I'm a cannibal
It's understandable you think I'm studio
But when we leave the studio, nigga, you's the hoe
Nigga lose your hoe, like usual
Bitch is beautiful, what she with you for?
When Hiawatha drank my fire water said sayonara to his lonely daughter
Fire starter, mister arson
South Central Compton next to Carson
Rips are rippin', dogs are barkin'
Guppies all move over, let the shark in
Blood in the water, cuz in the water
Need to get out, nigga, was it a slaughter?
Fuckin' wit'chy'all niggas, tear in your drawers
This fire water put hair on your balls
This is a rebel without a pause
With three hoes like Santa Claus
Know all the pimp codes and the bylaws
Got enough paper, I could buy y'all
At the Bayou, I could buy you
Walkin' 'round here with a slave IQ
Better get smart or it's deja vu
Back in the dark, nigga, chained to the ark, nigga, fuck
Fire water
I got that fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
How I do it is lighter fluid
Think you fly? Put a spider to it
Come down heavy, Isaac Newton
While y'all talkin', I be shootin'
Most of these artists be prostitutin'
Gangsta shit, I wrote The Constitution
Bitch ass nigga, what's your contribution?
Hatin' on shit ain't a revolution
Change this shit, fuck the lootin'
West side riders, I'm recruitin'
God is a teacher, I'm the student
Don't bite the apple, I'm rebootin'
Back to the pen and pad
Back to the pen and paper
Niggas wanna catch the vapors but they on respirators
Always on elevators
Always dressed like the Raiders
Always on my way to Vegas
Fire water
I got that fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
My best wares? Louis chest hairs
Who wanna ball with the California bears?
It's Mardi Gras every time I'm with my players
Alcohol all in the air
I run this shit, I am the mayor
You a crazy bitch, Princess Leia
Don't'cha know my tooth is a dare?
It's the cyclops with the eye drops
Fuck these THOTS and Goldilocks
Bitches wanna gorge on all a nigga porridge
Don't ask me for a piece of pizza
Fold my arms and say, "Bye Felicia"
Why the fuck you messin' with the creature?
Might wake up and fuckin' eat ya
Can hardly see ya 'cause of my shine
Mama, I luh ya
I'm legally blind
I'm outta my mind
Study my rhyme, I got the equation for any occasion
Black, white, brown, red, purple, or Asian
My fire water keep boots-a blazin'
I got some shit that'll burn your stomach
Make you vomit, the dogs atomic
Please don't try to mix this with chronic
Niggas won't believe that you seen a comet, no
Fire water
I got that fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
Fire water
Fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit (fire water)
The shit I spit will get you lit (fire water)
I got that fire water
I got that fire water
I got that fire water
I got that fire water
The lyrics of Ice Cube's "Fire Water" describe his thoughts on how he believes he will die due to his excessive consumption of salt, sugar, smoke, and liquor - elements he considers part of the good life. The song is a commentary on the rapper's lifestyle and how he is living dangerously as he continues to live the fast life with his excessive habits. Ice Cube's lyrics also touch on the unforgiving nature of the rap industry, and how it is not unusual to get caught up in the illicit lifestyle for the sake of art.
The song brings up an interesting question that many people wonder - how will they die? The artist's introspection on his life is revealed through his lyrics, painting a picture of the risks and consequences he takes. His comment that the fire water he drinks and spits will get you lit offers a revealing insight into his mindset as someone who knows the risks intimately but can't steer himself away from the lifestyle.
Overall, "Fire Water" is a song about living on the edge and embracing death through an excessive lifestyle. While Ice Cube's lyrics are explicit, they demonstrate a real authenticity that resonates with fans of the genre.
Line by Line Meaning
A lot of people wonder how they're gonna die
Many people are concerned about the manner of their death
Will it be a bullet wound?
They are afraid to be killed violently
Will they die at the hands of the police?
They are afraid of being killed by the authorities
Here's how I think I'ma go
This is how I expect to die
Too much salt, too much sugar
I will die from excessive consumption of salty and sugary foods
Too much smoke and too much liquor
I will die from excessive smoking and drinking
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I will die from enjoying too much of life's pleasures
Fire water
Alcohol
The shit I spit will get you lit
My rap lyrics are powerful
I'm a animal, my spit's flammable
My rap is so good it has the potential to ignite a fire
This is Hannibal, I'm a cannibal
I am an aggressive force, like Hannibal the conqueror
It's understandable you think I'm studio
You might think I am too polished or not genuine enough
But when we leave the studio, nigga, you's the hoe
You'll see my true nature when I'm not in a controlled environment
Nigga lose your hoe, like usual
You'll be disappointed and left without a partner, as is the norm
Bitch is beautiful, what she with you for?
Why is this beautiful woman with someone like you?
When Hiawatha drank my fire water said sayonara to his lonely daughter
A reference to the Native American legend Hiawatha, who, after drinking fire water, made a decision he would later regret
Fire starter, mister arson
I am an instigator, someone who likes to stir up trouble
South Central Compton next to Carson
A reference to the rough neighborhoods of South Los Angeles
Rips are rippin', dogs are barkin'
The environment is hostile and dangerous
Guppies all move over, let the shark in
Everyone else should stay out of my way and let me take control
Blood in the water, cuz in the water
There is danger lurking and people will be hurt
Need to get out, nigga, was it a slaughter?
People are trying to escape a violent situation
Fuckin' wit'chy'all niggas, tear in your drawers
If you mess with me, you'll get scared and have an accident
This fire water put hair on your balls
Drinking alcohol makes you manlier
This is a rebel without a pause
I am a defiant force, unwilling to stop
With three hoes like Santa Claus
I am surrounded by beautiful women
Know all the pimp codes and the bylaws
I am knowledgeable about the culture of pimping
Got enough paper, I could buy y'all
I have so much money, I could buy all of you
At the Bayou, I could buy you
I could pay for anything at the Bayou, a famous New Orleans restaurant
Walkin' 'round here with a slave IQ
Some people are too oppressed and don't realize their full potential
Better get smart or it's deja vu
History tends to repeat itself, so people need to educate themselves
Back in the dark, nigga, chained to the ark, nigga, fuck
I am frustrated by the fact that some people are still oppressed, living in slavery-like conditions
How I do it is lighter fluid
My flow is comparable to the flammable properties of lighter fluid
Think you fly? Put a spider to it
You might think you're impressive, but I can expose your weaknesses
Come down heavy, Isaac Newton
I have a forceful presence, like the laws of physics Isaac Newton discovered
While y'all talkin', I be shootin'
While others are talking, I am taking action and making moves
Most of these artists be prostitutin'
Most rappers are willing to sell themselves out for fame and money
Gangsta shit, I wrote The Constitution
I am tough and influential, like a founding father of the United States
Bitch ass nigga, what's your contribution?
I am calling out people who talk big but have nothing to show for it
Hatin' on shit ain't a revolution
Criticism alone is not enough to bring about change
Change this shit, fuck the lootin'
I am advocating for meaningful change rather than senseless violence and theft
West side riders, I'm recruitin'
I am building my team of like-minded people from the west side of Los Angeles
God is a teacher, I'm the student
I am humble and open to learning from the higher power
Don't bite the apple, I'm rebootin'
I am starting fresh and avoiding the temptation that led to Adam and Eve's downfall
Back to the pen and pad, back to the pen and paper
I am returning to my roots of writing and creating music
Niggas wanna catch the vapors but they on respirators
People yearn for fame and fortune, but they are struggling to breathe and survive
Always on elevators, always dressed like the Raiders
People are always seeking a higher status, even if it means limiting themselves to a specific image or brand
Always on my way to Vegas
I am always on the move, traveling to find my next opportunity
My best wares? Louis chest hairs
My most impressive possessions are my chest hairs, a tongue-in-cheek way of emphasizing my lack of material possessions
Who wanna ball with the California bears?
I am challenging anyone who wants to challenge my team, the California bears
It's Mardi Gras every time I'm with my players
My team is always having a good time and celebrating like it's a party
Alcohol all in the air
We are celebrating freely and openly, with lots of alcohol
I run this shit, I am the mayor
I am in charge of my own destiny and the leader of my team
You a crazy bitch, Princess Leia
You are acting erratic and illogical, like Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies
Don't'cha know my tooth is a dare?
Don't underestimate me and my toughness
It's the cyclops with the eye drops
I am a unique creature, like a cyclops, who is dropping knowledge and insight
Fuck these THOTS and Goldilocks
I am expressing disdain for women who are promiscuous or entitled
Bitches wanna gorge on all a nigga porridge
Women are interested in exploiting me for my wealth
Don't ask me for a piece of pizza
Do not ask me for handouts or favors
Fold my arms and say, "Bye Felicia"
I am dismissing people who are not worth my time
Why the fuck you messin' with the creature?
Why are you causing trouble when I am such a powerful force?
Might wake up and fuckin' eat ya
I am so fearsome, I might even hurt those closest to me
Can hardly see ya 'cause of my shine
I am glowing and reflecting so much light, it is difficult to see anything else
Mama, I luh ya
I love my mother
I'm legally blind
I have a vision impairment
I'm outta my mind
I am crazy or irrational
Study my rhyme, I got the equation for any occasion
My rap is full of knowledge and insight for any situation
Black, white, brown, red, purple, or Asian
My message is universal and applies to people of all races
My fire water keep boots-a blazin'
My alcohol is so strong, it keeps people on fire
I got some shit that'll burn your stomach
My alcohol is strong enough to cause gastro-intestinal discomfort
Make you vomit, the dogs atomic
My alcohol is so powerful, it could even hurt dogs
Please don't try to mix this with chronic
Do not try to combine my alcohol with other substances
Niggas won't believe that you seen a comet, no
People will not believe you if you tell them about the wild time you had with me
The shit I spit will get you lit (fire water)
My rap is so powerful, it will light you up like alcohol does
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: O. Odenuga, O'Shea Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@alexaleon6187
LYRICS:
A lot of people wonder how they gon' die
How'my gon' die?
Will it be a bullet wound?
Will they die at the hands of the police?
Here's how I think I'ma go
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
Fire water
Fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit
Fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit
Fire water
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
I'm a animal, my spit's flammable
This is Hannibal, I'm a cannibal
It's understandable you think I'm studio
But when we leave the studio, nigga, you's the hoe
Nigga lose your hoe, like usual
Bitch is beautiful, what she with you for?
When Hiawatha drank my fire water said sayonara to his lonely daughter
Fire starter, mister arson
South Central Compton next to Carson
Rips are rippin', dogs are barkin'
Guppies all move over, let the shark in
Blood in the water, cuz in the water
Need to get out, nigga, was it a slaughter?
Fuckin' wit'chy'all niggas, tear in your drawers
This fire water put hair on your balls
This is a rebel without a pause
With three hoes like Santa Claus
Know all the pimp codes and the bylaws
Got enough paper, I could buy y'all
At the Bayou, I could buy you
Walkin' 'round here with a slave IQ
Better get smart or it's deja vu
Back in the dark, nigga, chained to the ark, nigga, fuck
Fire water
I got that fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
How I do it is lighter fluid
Think you fly? Put a spider to it
Come down heavy, Isaac Newton
While y'all talkin', I be shootin'
Most of these artists be prostitutin'
Gangsta shit, I wrote The Constitution
Bitch ass nigga, what's your contribution?
Hatin' on shit ain't a revolution
Change this shit, fuck the lootin'
West side riders, I'm recruitin'
God is a teacher, I'm the student
Don't bite the apple, I'm rebootin'
Back to the pen and pad
Back to the pen and paper
Niggas wanna catch the vapors but they on respirators
Always on elevators
Always dressed like the Raiders
Always on my way to Vegas
Fire water
I got that fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
My best wares? Louis chest hairs
Who wanna ball with the California bears?
It's Mardi Gras every time I'm with my players
Alcohol all in the air
I run this shit, I am the mayor
You a crazy bitch, Princess Leia
Don't'cha know my tooth is a dare?
It's the cyclops with the eye drops
Fuck these THOTS and Goldilocks
Bitches wanna gorge on all a nigga porridge
Don't ask me for a piece of pizza
Fold my arms and say, "Bye Felicia"
Why the fuck you messin' with the creature?
Might wake up and fuckin' eat ya
Can hardly see ya 'cause of my shine
Mama, I luh ya
I'm legally blind
I'm outta my mind
Study my rhyme, I got the equation for any occasion
Black, white, brown, red, purple, or Asian
My fire water keep boots-a blazin'
I got some shit that'll burn your stomach
Make you vomit, the dogs atomic
Please don't try to mix this with chronic
Niggas won't believe that you seen a comet, no
Fire water
I got that fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
The shit I spit will get you lit (I got that fire water)
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
Too much salt, too much sugar
Too much smoke and too much liquor
The good life, I'ma die of the good life
I'ma die of the good life
Fire water
Fire water
The shit I spit will get you lit (fire water)
The shit I spit will get you lit (fire water)
I got that fire water
I got that fire water
I got that fire water
I got that fire water
@ivyyoung521
God is the Teacher, I AM the Student....every song I hear just gets better. God Bless this Man!
@stevenknuckles710
Co-signed yo!
@bullterror5
💜👑💜
@RevolutionaryReactions
Thank you Ice cube for keeping your word. "As long as i got a tongue in my mouth i will always rap" - Ice cube. Thank you Don mega
@williejackson8413
Yay Yaaaay
@louis-alexandregregoire-sa5361
I am privilidged.
@jenx8842
As long I am breathing I will always tell the Truth. ⚔🩸🙏
@bullterror5
💜👑💜
@AiKuksiani
His FLOW is just abnormal . Volcano Pyroclastic flow !!
@johnleon2594
GEMINI FLOW ♊💯♊