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.
I Rep That West
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is too west coast.
Doing my own thing
And if you got a problem with that
Then the Nina go bang bang
And I'll be everywhere on the map but
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
Doing my own thing
And if you got a problem with that
Then the nina go bang bang
And I'll be everywhere on the map but
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
Don't you know that I rep that
Why you gotta let that boy in the building
Don't you know that he about to kill 'em
Don't you know that he about to hurt ya feelings
Cant find pantomime might as well play the villain
I'ma get them why cause I cant babysit 'em
I'ma wipe 'em threat them as bad ass children
Is it evil ya better call them people
How I get down just ain't legal
Money long sort of like Louis Vuitton
I run this shit right here call me marathon (boom)
I blow like a cherry bomb you a small donation
Bitch I'm a telethon west coast million
What is he dealin' an is it that shit
That niggas go silly on.
Hell no the pyroclastic flow
Is evident (Westside) and you know what I represent
Doing my own thing
And if you got a problem with that
Then the Nina go bang bang
And I'll be everywhere on the map but
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west I rep that dub
I rep that S I'm a monster
Westside Lochness I'm a problem
Matter fact I'm a mess Los Angeles
So scan'less south central home of
So much potential but if you go there
The warfare is mental, bring your wheelchair
You prolly gon need it, leave this motherfucker
A paraplegic
Niggas round the world think they wanna bang
Don't get your ass caught up like Lil' Wayne
I'm too west coast for the west coast
Too fresh nose to suritos to soul food and burritos
I'm down with angelions go downtown and give a bum a C Note
This my town I run it, you walk it
You just now learning the game, I talk it
Doing my own thing
And if you got a problem with that
Then the Nina go bang bang
And I'll be everywhere on the map but
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that west
I rep that
And if you got a problem with this
Let me know so I can add your fuckin' name on my list!
All you WestCoast DJ's check your wrists
If you skiddad the big fish to your playlist!
Now enemies of this industry, I'm a
Hall of famer! Treated like a stranger!
Fuck that! Another WestCoast banger!
Who gives a fuck if they play it in Virginia?
I'm a play it on Denker! Play it Western
All of Van Ness will make your head turn!
Motherfuckers wanna take our style
And run that shit 3000 miles,
Then rub your shit all in our face
This, a war show all at our place,
Damn! Can a nigga get a lil' ol' taste
Of some of that shine it look like mine?
Doin' my own, own thang, thang, (damn!)
And if you got a problem with' that,
Then the Nina go bang, bang! (bang!)
And I be everywhere on the map!
But I rep that West!
I rep that West!
I rep that West!
I rep that West! (represent!)
I rep that West!
I rep that West!
I rep that West!
I rep that West! (Keep it gangsta!)
Doin' my own, own thang, thang, (yeah!)
And if you got a problem with' that,
Then the Nina go bang, bang! (California, Arizona)
And I be everywhere on the map!
But I rep that West!
I rep that West! (Oklahoma!)
I rep that West! (Colorado!)
I rep that West! (Utah!)
I rep that West!
I rep that West! (Washington!)
I rep that West! (New Mexico!)
I rep that West! (yeah!)
I rep that
Y'all know what it is!
Is this too WestCoast for you motherfuckers?
So what?
Sanctioned by the O.G's of America.
The Grand Wizard is a certified G!
That mean genius, bitch!
"I Rep That West" is a song by legendary rapper and actor Ice Cube, released in 2010. The lyrics suggest that Ice Cube is representing the West Coast of the United States, and he is doing it his own way, without caring about others' opinions. He believes that he's capable of handling any challenge that comes his way, hence "If you got a problem with that, then the Nina go bang bang." The song sees Ice Cube calling upon all his skills and experience to prove himself, with lines like "I run this shit right here call me marathon" emphasizing his dominance.
Ice Cube's focus on the West Coast runs throughout the song. He raps about his hometown and the challenges that come with it, such as the violence in South Central Los Angeles. He takes pride in his roots and asserts that he is the king of the West Coast. Despite his abrasive lyrics, Ice Cube ends by implying that he is a positive influence and a role model for the younger generation.
Line by Line Meaning
You know what west coasts niggas is gon' tell me?
Do you know what people from the West Coast are going to say to me?
This is too west coast.
This is very typical of West Coast style.
Doing my own thing
I'm doing what I want to do
And if you got a problem with that
If you have an issue with my actions
Then the Nina go bang bang
Then I'll use my firearm to defend myself
And I'll be everywhere on the map but
I may go to different places, but
I rep that west
I represent the West Coast
Don't you know that I rep that
Don't you know that I represent the West Coast?
Why you gotta let that boy in the building
Why did you let me into the building?
Don't you know that he about to kill 'em
Don't you know that I am going to impress them?
Don't you know that he about to hurt ya feelings
Don't you know that I am about to make you feel inferior?
Cant find pantomime might as well play the villain
If I can't find a role, I might as well play the antagonist
I'ma get them why cause I cant babysit 'em
I'm going to handle them aggressively because I can't baby them
I'ma wipe 'em threat them as bad ass children
I'm going to intimidate and treat them like rebellious kids
Is it evil ya better call them people
If my actions are considered evil, you better contact the authorities
How I get down just ain't legal
My actions are not necessarily legal
Money long sort of like Louis Vuitton
I have a lot of money, like the luxury brand Louis Vuitton
I run this shit right here call me marathon (boom)
I am in charge and dominating the scene, so call me a marathon runner
I blow like a cherry bomb you a small donation
I'm a powerful force, while you are insignificant
Bitch I'm a telethon west coast million
I'm like a fundraising telethon, raising millions, representing the West Coast
What is he dealin' an is it that shit
What is he up to, and is he doing well?
That niggas go silly on.
That people go crazy over?
Hell no the pyroclastic flow
Definitely no, my rapid flow of rhymes and lyrics
Is evident (Westside) and you know what I represent
It's obvious that I'm representing the Westside
I rep that west I rep that dub
I represent the West Coast, particularly the dub genre
I rep that S I'm a monster
I also represent South Central, and I'm like a monster in this game
Westside Lochness I'm a problem
Like the mythical creature Loch Ness, I'm a problem to deal with on the Westside
Matter fact I'm a mess Los Angeles
In fact, I'm a chaotic mess in Los Angeles
So scan'less south central home of
South Central is infamous for its reckless behavior
So much potential but if you go there
South Central has potential, but if you go there,
The warfare is mental, bring your wheelchair
Expect to be mentally exhausted from the conflicts, and maybe even physically injured
You prolly gon need it, leave this motherfucker
You'll probably need it, as you depart this dangerous area
A paraplegic
You may need a wheelchair as a result of the conflict here
Niggas round the world think they wanna bang
People worldwide think they want to be part of the gangster culture
Don't get your ass caught up like Lil' Wayne
Don't get trapped in the same way that Lil' Wayne did
I'm too west coast for the west coast
I represent the stereotypical West Coast style to the extreme
Too fresh nose to suritos to soul food and burritos
I appreciate all of the unique and fresh cuisine of the West Coast
I'm down with angelions go downtown and give a bum a C Note
I care about the people in Los Angeles and will give generously to those in need
This my town I run it, you walk it
I own this town and am in charge, while others simply follow
You just now learning the game, I talk it
You are just starting to understand how things work around here, while I am seasoned and confident
And if you got a problem with this
If you have an issue with what I'm saying
Let me know so I can add your fuckin' name on my list!
Tell me, so I can make sure you're on my radar
All you WestCoast DJ's check your wrists
West Coast DJs, take note of the time and be aware
If you skiddad the big fish to your playlist!
If you don't include me, you're missing out on something important!
Now enemies of this industry, I'm a
If there are those against me in this industry, I
Hall of famer! Treated like a stranger!
Am still a Hall of Famer, but treated like a stranger
Fuck that! Another WestCoast banger!
Forget all that! Let's make another great West Coast track!
Who gives a fuck if they play it in Virginia?
Who cares if people outside of the West Coast listen to it?
I'm a play it on Denker! Play it Western
I'll even play it only on Denker Boulevard, and keep it true to the West Coast
All of Van Ness will make your head turn!
The people on Van Ness Avenue will definitely take notice of my music
Motherfuckers wanna take our style
Other people want to copy our style
And run that shit 3000 miles,
And take it 3000 miles away from the West Coast
Then rub your shit all in our face
Then come back and flaunt it in front of us
This, a war show all at our place,
It's like a battle we're fighting on our home turf
Damn! Can a nigga get a lil' ol' taste
Can I at least have a little bit of recognition for originating this style?
Of some of that shine it look like mine?
Can I get some credit, which rightfully belongs to me?
Doin' my own, own thang, thang, (damn!)
Doing what I want to do, without restraint
And if you got a problem with' that,
And if you don't like it,
Then the Nina go bang, bang! (bang!)
Then I'll draw my gun and use it to protect myself
And I be everywhere on the map!
I'll travel to many places and make my mark
But I rep that West!
But no matter where I go, I always represent the West Coast
I rep that West! I rep that West! (represent!)
I am proud to represent the West Coast, and will always do so
I rep that West! (Keep it gangsta!)
I represent the gangster culture of the West Coast
Doin' my own, own thang, thang, (yeah!)
Doing things my own way, and proud of it
Then the Nina go bang, bang! (California, Arizona)
And if someone has a problem with that, I'll use my weapon to protect myself, whether in California or Arizona
I rep that West! (Oklahoma!)
I represent the West Coast, even in places like Oklahoma!
I rep that West! (Colorado!)
I proudly represent the West Coast even in states like Colorado
I rep that West! (Utah!)
I represent the West Coast everywhere, even in conservative places like Utah
I rep that West! (Washington!)
The West Coast guides and influences everything I do, even in states like Washington
I rep that West! (New Mexico!)
I represent the West Coast even in states like New Mexico!
Y'all know what it is!
Everyone knows exactly what I represent and what I stand for
Is this too WestCoast for you motherfuckers?
Is this style proving too much for those who think they can match us?
So what?
I don't care
Sanctioned by the O.G's of America.
Approved and supported by the original gangsters of America
The Grand Wizard is a certified G!
As a respected figure in the industry, I am a certified gangster!
That mean genius, bitch!
That means I'm an expert and a genius, motherfucker!
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: AMIR RASHON PERRY, O'SHEA JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
SzweckaPanda
Ice Cube has got a perfect voice for rap
William Silva
I agree dude
Gracjan1365
He may BE rap but 2pac is the GOD of rap
Juan Moreno
+XxGamerxX 123ABC Nah, Eazy-E is
Gracjan1365
Juan Moreno Nah Eazy-E was made by Dre if he would not have told him to try it he wouldn't rap and just watch MC Ren and ice cube and others rap but 2pac was a self made star "I'm a self made millionaire" and he didn't need anyone's help to get to the top
TV Series
Yeah he best
George McDougall
This song is my fav Ice cube song of all time. Blasting through speakers in my car gives me goosebumps every time
IAM_DSM
I remember bumping to this back in high school, everybody thought this song was wack. But look at it now getting recognition π―
Skoopy-
Damn right
Jkey
yuppppp