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.
Gameover
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Mad at us cause we on top
I love to see niggas gettin' money
Better get it while the gettin' is good
Get it while you can, man
And stop hatin' me, fuckin' with my shit cause I got more hustle than you
Get yours, get yours baby
Know what? I'm makin' moves, puttin' cash behind plans
To blow up, will he style like this
Everyday I parlay, sip Henne and Tanqueray
Stay in the mix like Alezay
V.I.P., my shit parked valet
On the prowl again to get hunnies familiar with the smile again
Some try to assault Dre, its still cavi
I'm eatin' steak while they struggle to break the slave mentality
I givin' livin' definition long as my hearts tickin'
I fought and made the world listen
Whatever fly Dr. Dre invented
Turn on the box and let my son watch these studio clowns on 60 inches
I push a rover, shit platinum before the sessions over
Rap master with the Houston heat holder
These players best to get they shit in check
Cause when I get my hustle on ain't no playin' with a full deck
[Chorus: x2]
Lord please, murder my enemies (Yeah)
Burn em at a thousand degrees
And lord please let me make mo cheese
Cause I ain't quite ready to leave (No)
Buck the whole world
Meant that, gotta stay strapped
Cause 99.9 a niggas, carry they gats
Super fist fightin' shit might come down to dyin'
When the time comes down for the tryin' I got nine
Reasons why niggas shouldn't step in my face
With the nonsense, cause I'm always heated and you can taste this
Audi little something out the seams a my trousers
With no hesitation I got a team to come clown ya
I down ya, so let your people know what they face
With the type of individual that'll bomb a sub-station
Kaboom! and everybody dies outside
There ain't no escapin' the Reaper so don't try
Go ahead, close ya eyes, who the next to step?
Face down, hit, bleedin' on the steps a death
Check yo self, you just been invaded by true soldiers
December 31st, 96 (the game is over)
[Chorus]
(I've got all my life to live, plus with all my love to give)
Smokin' weed I never trail, I lead
Spendin' dough, tripped the cost of a ride like it was pocket money, Gs
But these are the things real players do
Talkin' shit is real things that the haters do
I'm namin' you
Shit's thick, its time to run for shelter
I kept the word, things could happen to marks like it was helter skelter
Dear diary, I'm runnin' outta pages
Fadin', in and out, takin' purple hazes
The dazes, Revelations in the last stages
Red sky's institute, the silent horns playin
I'm prayin' with tears in my eyes
Cause I'm tryin' to make it into eternal peace without dyin'
But they eyein' my bank account with beams on my rover
The killa failed to launch his attack (the game is over)
[Chorus]
In "Gameover," Ice Cube addresses the haters who are mad at him for being on top and says he loves seeing people get money. He speaks of his own success and plans to blow up in style, sipping Hennessy and Tanqueray and staying in the mix like Alizé. He has hustled hard and fought to make the world listen, pushing Dr. Dre's innovations and watching the studio clowns on a 60-inch screen while his son observes. He warns anyone who steps in his face that he's always heated, carries a team to come clown you, and invokes the Reaper with no escape. He reflects on the dazes of his life, smoking weed and spending money like a real player while haters talk shit. He prays with tears in his eyes to make it to eternal peace without dying, but he knows they're eyeing his bank account and beams on his Rover.
Line by Line Meaning
Man, what's up with these niggas out here
I don't understand why people are hating on me
Mad at us cause we on top
People are mad because I am successful
I love to see niggas gettin' money
I'm happy when I see other people succeeding
Better get it while the gettin' is good
Take advantage of opportunities while they're available
Get it while you can, man
Don't miss your chance to succeed
And stop hatin' me, fuckin' with my shit cause I got more hustle than you
Stop being jealous and trying to sabotage me because I'm more motivated than you
Get yours, get yours baby
Focus on your own success
I'm seeing millions, niggas don't understand
I have big plans and goals that other people don't comprehend
Know what? I'm makin' moves, puttin' cash behind plans
I'm taking action towards my goals and investing money into my plans
To blow up, will he style like this
I'm going to succeed with my unique style
Everyday I parlay, sip Henne and Tanqueray
I enjoy my lavish lifestyle and indulge in expensive drinks
Stay in the mix like Alezay
I'm always involved and connected in my industry
V.I.P., my shit parked valet
My VIP status is reflected in the valet parking of my vehicle
On the prowl again to get hunnies familiar with the smile again
I'm looking for new romantic interests to be charmed by me
Some try to assault Dre, its still cavi
Despite attempts to harm my friend Dre, we're still living a luxurious life
I'm eatin' steak while they struggle to break the slave mentality
While others remain trapped in the mindset of slavery, I am enjoying a lavish meal
I givin' livin' definition long as my hearts tickin'
I continue to define my life through my actions while I am alive
I fought and made the world listen
I have overcome obstacles and made an impact in the world
Whatever fly Dr. Dre invented
Whatever Dr. Dre creates is always impressive
Turn on the box and let my son watch these studio clowns on 60 inches
I want my son to see the foolishness of others on TV
I push a rover, shit platinum before the sessions over
I drive a luxury car and achieve platinum status before the recording session is complete
Rap master with the Houston heat holder
I am a skilled rapper with a presence in Houston's rap scene
These players best to get they shit in check
Other rappers need to improve their game
Cause when I get my hustle on ain't no playin' with a full deck
When I'm motivated, I'm unstoppable
Lord please, murder my enemies (Yeah)
I pray for the downfall of those who oppose me
Burn em at a thousand degrees
I want them to suffer harsh punishment
And lord please let me make mo cheese
I want to continue making money
Cause I ain't quite ready to leave (No)
I'm not willing to die just yet
Buck the whole world
I'm against everyone else
Meant that, gotta stay strapped
I'm always prepared for danger
Cause 99.9 a niggas, carry they gats
Most people carry guns
Super fist fightin' shit might come down to dyin'
Conflict could become deadly
When the time comes down for the tryin' I got nine
I'm armed with a gun
Reasons why niggas shouldn't step in my face
There are many reasons why people shouldn't confront me
With the nonsense, cause I'm always heated and you can taste this
I am easily provoked and my anger is noticeable
Audi little something out the seams a my trousers
I carry a gun concealed in my pants
With no hesitation I got a team to come clown ya
I have people who are willing to attack my enemies without hesitation
I down ya, so let your people know what they face
I will defeat my enemies and they should warn their associates
With the type of individual that'll bomb a sub-station
I am capable of extreme violence
Kaboom! and everybody dies outside
A deadly explosion will occur
There ain't no escapin' the Reaper so don't try
Death is inevitable
Go ahead, close ya eyes, who the next to step?
Those who challenge me will ultimately face defeat
Face down, hit, bleedin' on the steps a death
My enemies will suffer a violent death
Check yo self, you just been invaded by true soldiers
My associates and I are skilled and dangerous
December 31st, 96 (the game is over)
The year 1996 marks the end of the game, or conflict
Smokin' weed I never trail, I lead
I am a confident leader when smoking marijuana
Spendin' dough, tripped the cost of a ride like it was pocket money, Gs
I spend money extravagantly, as if it were easily affordable
But these are the things real players do
These actions are common among successful individuals
Talkin' shit is real things that the haters do
Haters often talk negatively
I'm namin' you
I'm calling out haters and enemies
Shit's thick, its time to run for shelter
Things are getting dangerous, and it's time to hide
I kept the word, things could happen to marks like it was helter skelter
I kept my promise to harm those who cross me, as if it were a dangerous situation
Dear diary, I'm runnin' outta pages
My time is running out
Fadin', in and out, takin' purple hazes
I'm losing consciousness and taking drugs
The dazes, Revelations in the last stages
I have revelations in my final moments
Red sky's institute, the silent horns playin
The environment is ominous and eerie
I'm prayin' with tears in my eyes
I'm expressing my emotions and begging for salvation
Cause I'm tryin' to make it into eternal peace without dyin'
I want to find peace without dying
But they eyein' my bank account with beams on my rover
People are targeting my wealth and possessions
The killa failed to launch his attack (the game is over)
My enemy was unsuccessful and the conflict is over
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats multiple times throughout the song
(I've got all my life to live, plus with all my love to give)
This line is possibly a reference to the song 'Greatest Love of All' by Whitney Houston
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: BRAD JORDAN, O'SHEA JACKSON, RICHARD S. III VICK, ANDRE YOUNG
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@ruddboyeuda2063
Ressemblances musicales avec l'album the aftermath...❤pour l'instru.
🎉
@antwonneneal81
CLASSIC MATERIAL FOLKS PERIOD
@jbaccalo
I like the enter the dragon background music
@michaelbull4344
Underrated sample and song
@tonycervz89
I just saw that movie today I knew I remember that beat from somewhere..
@paulgabbard6743
OLD SCHOOL HIP-HOP RAP ICE CUBE GAME 🎮 OVER DR DRE MUSIC 🎶
@djonestv7
Still on point till this day. Ice Cube/Game Over......(Facts)
@AndrewsOpinion15
LUV THIS SONG SO MUCH !!!!
@mauricetaylor9700
Scarface 🔥
@nicodacher4294
So cool!!!