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.
Greed
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I ain't fuckin' with it
This cake has got to be all icing baby
Now I know I'm taking the biggest piece
But god damn I'm the biggest fish with the biggest mouth bitch
You want to be rich right? (Hell yeah)
Well stick with me do as I does and be as I be
We be stackin' chips packin' clips mackin' chicks
Makin' hoes, take these clothes, from these sto's
Walkin slow, there go the po', now here we go
Parking lot to the spot, Marriott
Cause what I got to make a knot, is very hot
Who's at the do', go and check, I got the Tec
Tell him that you soakin' wet, until he jet
Now lift up your fuckin' dress, where's the rest
Bitch can hide a treasure chest, in her breasts
Uh-huh strip search, whip skirts
Uh-huh shit hurts, but it works bitch
You can jerk niggas but you can't jerk me
Hoe I only tell you once that this dick ain't free
I'm talkin' greed
Greed, give me everything that I need
How you gon' deal with the niggaz that I feed
Greed, give me everything that I need
How you gon' deal with the niggaz that I feed
We smokin weed, you and me
Lookin for that currency
We smokin weed, you and me
Lookin for that currency
Now bitch niggas don't mean shit, from where I sit
Magnificent blow your back out, if you act out
Eighteen deep when the plane soar
The bitch threw her tits asked my click who we pay for
Penetrate the clouds, loud, and obnoxious
Surround the airport with feds and helicopters
Escorted, detained and deported
Scared of the lyrics, and when they bitches hear us
We the clear-est, you can fear us
Smile on the day of your disappearance, smoke in mirrors
Break em all, pull over and jump out
Cause I can take em all, all bustas shake em all
I'm at the mall, buyin' shit, like hot dog on a stick
These bitches all on the dick
Ice Cube ain't a lick (nope) make me bleed
And now you got to deal with the niggas that I feed, greed
(Give me more, give me more) Greed, Greed
When you get your hands on it, want to fawn it
Want to dance on it, everybody want it
(Give me more, give me more) Greed, Greed
When you get your hands on it, want to fawn it
Want to dance on it, everybody want it
You punks is petty, still we steady, countin' fetti
I'm the one closin' escrow, with the best flow
(Do you wear a vest?) No
Niggas hit me I'ma turn into The Crow *caw caw* and take a shit
On everything counterfeit, the Don Mega
Blade Runner, in a beige Hummer all summer
It'd take about twelve honkeys, to convict
The nigga makin' you sick, ask the 12 Monkeys
Up in Detroit holdin' weed court, all through the South
Picked up a ounce in Shreveport
My lead give head tunnels (boom!)
To any motherfucker disgruntled exit wound, look like a funnel
Worldwide, international jet set
My niggas love fuckin' bitches that they just met
Get it wet, and you can do anything
When I'm in Paris niggas french-kiss the pinky ring
Greed, give me everything that I need
How you gon' deal with the niggaz that I feed
Greed, give me everything that I need
How you gon' deal with the niggaz that I feed
We smokin weed, you and me
Lookin for that currency
We smokin weed, you and me
Lookin for that currency
Yeah, Ice Cube, trillionaire
I own a mansion and a yacht, ha ha
We do it like it should be does
Yeah, Westside niggas is very greedy, uh
Death Row is very greedy
Sic-Wid-It records is very greedy
Dangerous Music greedy greedy greedy
Ruthless Records greedy, Suave House, greedy
So So Def, greedy
Rap-A-Lot greedy as fuck
No Limit, ha, hella greedy, uh
Def Jam greedy, we all know Priority greedy as a motherfucker, ha ha ha
Hey I got twenties on my Benz you still fuckin' with a gem
What can you tell me, nigga?
In "Greed" Ice Cube emphasizes the importance of money and the lengths he'll go to to get it. He starts off by stating that he only wants to engage in activities that will make him more money before describing how he racks up cash by exploiting women and engaging in criminal activities. He warns other rappers that, to succeed, they need to emulate his lifestyle and align themselves with him. Ice Cube asserts his dominance as the most important player in the game, and brags about the amount of money he has accumulated.
Ice Cube then discusses the power and respect that money brings, noting that he is feared by both law enforcement and his competition. He continues to describe his exploits, including smuggling drugs and traveling internationally to have sex with women. His disregard for anyone else's safety besides his own is evident in the final verse, during which he boasts about how much better he is than other rappers and their respective companies.
The song thus clearly articulates Ice Cube's belief that greed is good, and that money is the ultimate proxy of power and success. The lyrics are notable for their lack of morality and ethical concerns, presenting a worldview where everything is permitted to achieve wealth and status, as long as it doesn't threaten his own safety.
Line by Line Meaning
Now if the greenbacks don't stack large on my side of the yard
If I don't get the money, I won't be interested in it.
This cake has got to be all icing baby
I deserve the best of everything.
Now I know I'm taking the biggest piece
I'm aware of the fact that I'm taking the biggest share.
But god damn I'm the biggest fish with the biggest mouth bitch
I'm the most important person and I talk the most.
You want to be rich right? (Hell yeah)
Do you want to be wealthy? (Yes)
Well stick with me do as I does and be as I be
Follow my lead and you'll get rich like me.
We be stackin' chips packin' clips mackin' chicks
We make money, carry weapons, and seduce women.
Laugh at tits slappin' dick in yo' bitch (bitch!)
We objectify women and disrespect them.
Makin' hoes, take these clothes, from these sto's
We steal from stores and make prostitutes sell the clothes.
Walkin slow, there go the po', now here we go
We walk slowly and avoid the police.
Parking lot to the spot, Marriott
We go to the Marriott hotel from the parking lot.
Cause what I got to make a knot, is very hot
I have something valuable that I need to turn into cash.
Who's at the do', go and check, I got the Tec
Check who's outside and tell them I have a gun.
Tell him that you soakin' wet, until he jet
Tell him that you're aroused and he should leave soon.
Now lift up your fuckin' dress, where's the rest
Take off your clothes and show me where the money is.
Bitch can hide a treasure chest, in her breasts
Women can hide valuables in their breasts.
Uh-huh strip search, whip skirts
We perform a strip search and beat women.
Uh-huh shit hurts, but it works bitch
We hurt women to get what we want.
You can jerk niggas but you can't jerk me
You can't cheat or deceive me, even if you can do it to others.
Hoe I only tell you once that this dick ain't free
I only say this once: you can't get my services for free.
I'm talkin' greed
I'm talking about my greed for money and power.
Greed, give me everything that I need
Greed is my desire for all the things I want.
How you gon' deal with the niggaz that I feed
How will you handle the people I control and provide for?
We smokin weed, you and me
We are smoking marijuana, me and you.
Lookin for that currency
We are searching for money.
You punks is petty, still we steady, countin' fetti
You are insignificant, while we keep accumulating money.
I'm the one closin' escrow, with the best flow
I'm the most successful and have the best skills.
(Do you wear a vest?) No
I don't need protection, I'm fearless.
Niggas hit me I'ma turn into The Crow *caw caw* and take a shit
If someone attacks me, I'll defend myself violently.
On everything counterfeit, the Don Mega
I hate fake things and I'm a big boss.
Blade Runner, in a beige Hummer all summer
I drive a beige Hummer in the summer, like a futuristic cop from the movie Blade Runner.
It'd take about twelve honkeys, to convict
It would take twelve white people to convict me (racial joke).
The nigga makin' you sick, ask the 12 Monkeys
I am the one who annoys you, like the monkeys from the movie 12 Monkeys.
Up in Detroit holdin' weed court, all through the South
I'm dealing weed and avoiding getting caught by the police in Detroit and other places in the South.
Picked up a ounce in Shreveport
I bought an ounce of weed in a city called Shreveport.
My lead give head tunnels (boom!)
My gun shoots and creates tunnels in people's bodies.
To any motherfucker disgruntled exit wound, look like a funnel
I cause big wounds in anyone who annoys me.
Worldwide, international jet set
I travel the world and I'm part of the international elite.
My niggas love fuckin' bitches that they just met
My friends have sex with women immediately after meeting them.
Get it wet, and you can do anything
If you have sex with someone, they will do anything for you.
When I'm in Paris niggas french-kiss the pinky ring
When I'm in Paris, people respect and admire me a lot.
(Give me more, give me more) Greed, Greed
I want more and more of what I desire.
When you get your hands on it, want to fawn it
When you have something, you want to show it off and admire it.
Want to dance on it, everybody want it
Everyone wants to boast and have what they desire.
Hey I got twenties on my Benz you still fuckin' with a gem
I have a fancy car and you're still driving an old one.
What can you tell me, nigga?
What can a lesser person tell me?
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: STEPHEN ANDERSON, LIONEL JR HUNT, O'SHEA JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@gregorycampbell2164
No disrespect to 2pac but ice cube is the goat from California
@rboothy9795
lol Tupac from east Harlem New York he moved to Oakland but yeah I agree Ice cube the don
@WillieGreig-yq6gj
That's because Tupac from new York, then baltimore then oakland then California. He's the Goat in the world and ice cube my 2nd. I've listened to ice cube for 33 years. I've not once cried at his songs and I know the majority of them off by heart. But I've bubbled like a baby at pacs. Tupac touched your soul. Ice cube doesn't
@Michael-xo8cv
@@WillieGreig-yq6gjPac is the only rapper that his music sends chills thru me...
@allinterhigh3118
Underrated Cube joint here. My shit. Hell of a story teller.
@BitcoinEntertainment
This used to get some good radio play in my market when it came out
@bigbossmalik6692
Aye motion picture for real 👀🔥
@billysweet9308
One of his best in my opinion
@irina121
I havent heard dis song in almost 20yrs!!! Luv it! Brings me life! So Raw!
@mr123mackable
God please continue to bless Ice 🧊 and this family!!