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.
Go to Church
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nigga you need to stop snitchin!
All that yip-yappin and jaw-jackin
Nigga if you scared, go to church
You knew the job was dangerous when you took it
Whattup it's the big boss Dogg
Snoop D-O-double-G, Eastside L.B.C.
And I'm C-walkin on the motherfuckin concrete
[Intro: Ice Cube]
Yo if you're fucked up, put your cups up
Ice Cube and Snoop Dogg, nigga what's up
See he's a gangster, I'm a hustler
Yo it's either thank ya, or it's fuck ya
[Ice Cube + (Lil Jon)]
I'm down with Lil Jon ain't got to pretend (YEAH!)
"Crunk Juice" nigga run the club that you in (HEY!)
You scary motherfuckers don't wanna bring the ruckus (NAH!)
You just spend all your time in the club tryin to duck us (WHAT?)
And if you walk by nigga, I'ma knock fire nigga
from yo' ass, you can come try nigga (HEY!)
In the hood, all the way down South (YEAH!)
I ain't Mike Jones, keep my name out'cha mouth bitch (Mike Jones)
We can get it crackin if it get to clickin clackin
Look at Mr. Jackson, nigga with no reaction
If you scared, go to church, we gon' hit you where it hurts
That don't work, we'll put you in the dirt
Cause a whole lot of rappers make a whole lot of noise (hey)
Lyrics full of steroids, niggaz paranoid (hey)
And when you get that blowup, it make you throw up
When you realize your favorite rapper ain't got no nuts
[Chorus 2X: Ice Cube + (Lil Jon)]
If you a scared motherfucker go to church (GO TO CHURCH)
If you a gutter motherfucker do your dirt (A DO YOUR DIRT)
If you a down motherfucker put in work (A PUT IN WORK)
IF you a crazy motherfucker go berzerk (A GO BERZERK!)
[Snoop Dogg]
Click clackin, pistol-packin, Crip raggin folio
Who the only nigga in the club with the toolio
You ain't know? Yeah you did; there it was, there it is
"Is that Coolio?" Naw bitch, let me in
Jibba-jabba snatcher get at ya, spit at actors & rappers
Hang out with kidnappers and jackers
Make money off crackers; can you imagine how I keep shit crackin?
It's the big boss Dogg I'm back in action and smashin
I flash with the bling I sur-pass the supreme
You don't really wanna have a clash with my team
I mix hash with the green I'm the, last of the kings
If I got a bitch with me she got ass in them jeans
Rollin through yo' neighborhood, my Cadillac so clean
Servin all you suckers cause you all dopefiends
Just like that dopeman, nigga what's up?
You run up with that bullshit I'll fuck yo' ass up
[Chorus]
[Lil Jon: repeat 2X]
You scared, you scared
You scared motherfucker you scared
You scared (you scared) you scared (you scared)
You scared motherfucker you scared (you scared)
[Chorus]
[Ice Cube + (Lil Jon)]
It goes one for the money (HEY) two for the show (YEAH)
Three for the pussy, fo' for the glow (HEY)
Five for the rookies, six for the pros (NAH)
Seven for the numbers of them fuckin zeroes (WHAT?)
Eight for haters, nine for the cause
Ten for my niggaz, behind big bars (HEY)
Fuck these devils, and they laws (YEAH!)
Never question the size of Ice Cube's balls
The lyrics of Ice Cube's "Go To Church" talk about gangsters, hustlers, scared motherfuckers, and cops who choose to snitch. The song begins with Snoop Dogg warning those who talk too much that they should stop because they knew what they were getting themselves into when they became gangsters. Snoop then goes on to introduce himself as the big boss Dogg and to assert his dominance and toughness by claiming he can handle the job. Ice Cube joins in with his own verse, rapping about Lil Jon and how he is down with him, but the chorus remains central to the song as it repeats that if anyone is scared, they should go to church. The verses of the song emphasize its message - don't snitch, don't need pretending, don't spend too much time in clubs, and don't mess with gangsters. The song's overall theme is that of realness and how people should act accordingly.
Line by Line Meaning
Nigga you need to stop snitchin!
You should stop being an informant!
All that yip-yappin and jaw-jackin
You talk too much, unnecessarily!
Nigga if you scared, go to church
If you're afraid, go to church and seek solace!
You knew the job was dangerous when you took it
You should have known that the job comes with risks!
Yo if you're fucked up, put your cups up
If you're feeling down, raise your cups up to cheer!
See he's a gangster, I'm a hustler
He's involved in gang activities, but I earn through hard work!
You scary motherfuckers don't wanna bring the ruckus
You're cowards and do not wish for a confrontation!
You just spend all your time in the club tryin to duck us
You avoid us even if we are in the same club!
And if you walk by nigga, I'ma knock fire nigga from yo' ass, you can come try nigga
If you confront me, I will retaliate with extreme violence!
In the hood, all the way down South
In the neighborhood from the South region!
I ain't Mike Jones, keep my name out'cha mouth bitch
Do not mention or speak ill of me like you did Mike Jones!
We can get it crackin if it get to clickin clackin
We can get into trouble if there's gunfire!
Look at Mr. Jackson, nigga with no reaction
Look at how calm Mr. Jackson is, even in a tense situation!
That don't work, we'll put you in the dirt
If going to church does not work, we'll kill you!
Lyrics full of steroids, niggaz paranoid
Your lyrics are fake, but you're suspicious of everyone else!
And when you get that blowup, it make you throw up
When you explode in popularity, it makes you dizzy and uncomfortable!
When you realize your favorite rapper ain't got no nuts
When you realize that your favorite rapper lacks courage!
If you a scared motherfucker go to church (GO TO CHURCH)
If you're a coward, go seek the safety of the church!
If you a gutter motherfucker do your dirt (A DO YOUR DIRT)
If you're a criminal, continue doing your criminal activities!
If you a down motherfucker put in work (A PUT IN WORK)
If you're hardworking, put in more effort!
IF you a crazy motherfucker go berzerk (A GO BERZERK!)
If you're insane, act wild and uncontrollable!
Who the only nigga in the club with the toolio
I'm the only person carrying a gun in this club!
Jibba-jabba snatcher get at ya, spit at actors & rappers Hang out with kidnappers and jackers
I'm a person who uses a lot of slang and steals from you, someone who's surrounded by criminals!
Make money off crackers; can you imagine how I keep shit crackin?
I make money off white people; do you know how I manage to keep the situation tense?
It's the big boss Dogg I'm back in action and smashin
I'm Snoop Dogg, and I'm back in action causing chaos!
I mix hash with the green I'm the, last of the kings
I combine weed with a hashish, and I'm the final leader of this hierarchy!
You don't really wanna have a clash with my team
You don't want to compete with my group!
Rollin through yo' neighborhood, my Cadillac so clean
Driving through your community with a shiny Cadillac!
Servin all you suckers cause you all dopefiends
I'm selling drugs and making money off of you addicts!
Just like that dopeman, nigga what's up?
I'm like the dealer, what's cooking?
You run up with that bullshit I'll fuck yo' ass up
If you confront me with unnecessary things, I will fight you!
Never question the size of Ice Cube's balls
Do not doubt the courage of Ice Cube!
One for the money (HEY) two for the show (YEAH)
One for the achievement, and two for the display!
Three for the pussy, fo' for the glow (HEY)
Three for sex, and four for easy fame!
Five for the rookies, six for the pros (NAH)
Five for the novices, and six for the experts!
Seven for the numbers of them fuckin zeroes (WHAT?)
Seven for the extra digits at the end of big amounts!
Eight for haters, nine for the cause
Eight for the critics and nine for the purpose!
Ten for my niggaz, behind big bars (HEY)
Ten for my friends who are in prison!
Fuck these devils, and they laws (YEAH!)
Ignore evil people and their unfair laws!
You scared, you scared You scared motherfucker you scared You scared (you scared) you scared (you scared)
You're afraid; don't deny it!
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Reservoir Media Management, Inc., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CALVIN BROADUS, O'SHEA JACKSON, LA MARQUIS JEFFERSON, CRAIG LOVE, JAMES PHILLIPS, JONATHAN H SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@slipknot73745
@@nickh5082bro his get low verse has one (1) two-syllable word lmao
"Let me see you get low (you scared!)
Drop that ass to the floor (You scared!)
Drop that ass ey, shake it fast ey
Pop that ass to the left and the right ey
Drop that ass ey, shake it fast ey
Pop that ass to the left and the right ey
Now back, back, back it up
Now stop (oh!) then wiggle with it (yea!)"
@berleezy
This is my favorite song of all time
@themalcahtwinz4743
How we listening to this at the same time. Wsg berlinnnn
@ayo6506
Yo Berlin!!!!
@PatrickKanzira-yc9up
Im listin to this n im in Paris rn lmao
@slumped4eva
Remembered that i used to hear this on my uncle's ps3 mp3 player. With those classic ps3 animations
@emondadon
i just came here from the food tier list. 2000s is my favorite era of hip hop i dont know how this got passed me
@GentlemenJack109
Finally a classic Christian rap song.
@jovonajosephine9975
Lol 😸
@GentlemenJack109
Jovona Acedo ok
@quickeroats
Lol