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.
Laugh Now Cry Later
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Uh-huh, understand this
I don't give a fuck about what y'all talkin' about
I ain't tryin' to hear none of that shit
Nigga I'ma do what I wanna do
When I wanna do it, how I wanna do it
And you better hope I don't do it to you
Now, I don't care what momma got to say
Nigga I'm grown
Let me tell you a lil' somethin' about me
I was born not to give a fuck, wanna drink, get your cup
Turn it up, throw it up, take the world, blow it up
Somebody slow it up, roll it up, smoke it up
My own momma can't keep me from loc'n up
One ear out the other, one man out to smother
The neighborhood, that left me here without my brother
Fuck you under covers and you dirty motherfuckers
In the hood, that still fuck without rubbers
Club hop, bar hop, car shop, nail shop
To the mall, spend it all, why the hell not
What bills, what rent, don't know what's spent
Why you care, do you work for the government?
[Chorus]
Fuck it homey, I'ma laugh now and cry later
Get your paper we can laugh now and cry later
All you players you can laugh now and cry later
Investigators let you laugh now and cry later
[Ice Cube]
See I'm a product of this urban decay
A nigga dyin' for tomorrow, but live for today
A nigga lie steal and borrow, and cheatings OK
Don't you tell these motherfuckers that my name is O'Shea
Cause I'ma fuck up my baby's credit, let him regret it
7 months old he's already got a jail record
I'm the one to blame, put it in my momma name
She's a drama queen, but I got the bling bling
I need the watch and the bracelet and the earrings
I need you all to show up at my hearings
Tell the judge I'm a nice nigga, good nigga
And I'ma play the sad face when he look nigga
[Chorus]
[Repeat: x2]
"The number you are calling was lost, and cannot be called back"
"Your last call return service"
[Ice Cube]
It's fucked up, that y'all won't accept my calls
Tell momma, at least she can send some drawers
These walls, make y'all forget about me
I'm comin' home, in 2033
But that's irrelevant, did you get the mail I sent
What I tell a bitch, you better stay celibate
She start lyin to me, tell me who she ain't fuckin'
Never tell me that my homeboys ain't nothin'
Bun in the oven, it belong to my cousin
Got the nerve, to tell me that you really love me
(What?) I'ma kill her ass when a nigga make parole
Hit her with my cane, cause a nigga gray and old
[Chorus]
[Ice Cube]
Man, it ain't right man
You know y'all ain't doin' me right man
A nigga tryin' to do right man
You know I'm tryin' to change my life man, you know?
I done found the Lord while I'm in here, you know?
I I'm tryin' to do right now, I mean
You know I'm sorry for everything
That I, I I mean you know
That's fucked up how y'all doin' me man
Y'all niggas could at least send me somethin'
"Alright, first four guys, let's go, lock it up"
In "Laugh Now Cry Later," Ice Cube is unapologetic about his outlook on life. He asserts that he does not care about what anyone has to say and will do as he pleases. He talks about his penchant for partying, smoking, and drinking and how his own mother can not keep him from being a menace to society. He takes responsibility for his actions, stating that he is the one to blame for his baby son's jail record. Cube is also critical of those who work for the government and feel concerned about his spending habits.
In the second verse, Cube talks about his time in prison and how disconnected he is from the world outside. He is angry that no one is willing to accept his phone calls and mentions that even his own mother should send him some underwear. Cube also talks about a woman who claims she loves him but is lying about her affairs with his friends. He ends the song by lamenting how unfair his situation is and how he is trying to change his life.
Line by Line Meaning
Uh-huh, understand this
Listen carefully and comprehend what I'm about to say
I don't give a fuck about what y'all talkin' about
I don't care for or have any interest in what you're discussing
I ain't tryin' to hear none of that shit
I'm not interested in or willing to listen to any of that nonsense
Nigga I'ma do what I wanna do
I will act and behave as I choose
When I wanna do it, how I wanna do it
I'll do things when and how it suits me
And you better hope I don't do it to you
Be hopeful I don't behave this way towards you
Now, I don't care what momma got to say
I'm not concerned with my mother's opinion or viewpoint
I don't care what grandmomma got to say
I'm not concerned with my grandmother's perspective or thoughts
Nigga I'm grown
I'm an adult and make decisions for myself
Let me tell you a lil' somethin' about me
Allow me to elaborate on some information about myself
I was born not to give a fuck, wanna drink, get your cup
Since birth, I've had a carefree attitude and enjoy drinking, so pour yourself a drink too
Turn it up, throw it up, take the world, blow it up
Crank up the music, party hard and shake things up, metaphorically, take control of the world
Somebody slow it up, roll it up, smoke it up
Someone needs to calm down, roll a joint and smoke it
My own momma can't keep me from loc'n up
Even my mother can't prevent me from causing trouble or behaving recklessly
One ear out the other, one man out to smother
I tend to ignore people's words of wisdom and pursue my goals recklessly, in turn, crushing anyone in my path
The neighborhood, that left me here without my brother
This community is responsible for abandoning me and causing the death of my brother
Fuck you under covers and you dirty motherfuckers
I have no respect for law enforcement and those who are corrupt
In the hood, that still fuck without rubbers
People in the area don't practice safe sex by using condoms
Club hop, bar hop, car shop, nail shop
I frequently visit various establishments like clubs, bars, car shops, and nail salons
To the mall, spend it all, why the hell not
I go to the mall and spend my entire money. I don't see why I shouldn't
What bills, what rent, don't know what's spent
I'm not aware of how much money I spend or what bills/rent I'm required to pay
Why you care, do you work for the government?
Why are you concerned with my expenditure? Are you a government official?
Fuck it homey, I'ma laugh now and cry later
I'll have fun now and deal with the consequences later
Get your paper we can laugh now and cry later
Let's prioritize earning money, we can enjoy the fruits of our labour later
All you players you can laugh now and cry later
To all the players out there - have fun now and suffer the results later
Investigators let you laugh now and cry later
Investigators may allow you to live life freely without any worry, but the consequences will eventually catch up to you
See I'm a product of this urban decay
I'm a byproduct of this urban area's decline with little to no opportunities
A nigga dyin' for tomorrow, but live for today
I'm living a life knowing that death could arrive at any moment, therefore, I must enjoy the present
A nigga lie steal and borrow, and cheatings OK
I'm accustomed to lying, stealing and borrowing from others, with little to no consequence
Don't you tell these motherfuckers that my name is O'Shea
Do not associate my full name with my criminal activities
Cause I'ma fuck up my baby's credit, let him regret it
I'll ruin my child's credit from an early age, and he'll later regret it
7 months old he's already got a jail record
My child has a criminal record even before his first birthday
I'm the one to blame, put it in my momma name
I take the blame, place it under my mother's name
She's a drama queen, but I got the bling bling
My mother's troublesome nature doesn't worry me because I'm more concerned with owning luxurious items
I need the watch and the bracelet and the earrings
I need to have a watch, bracelet, and earrings to feel complete
I need you all to show up at my hearings
I need my friends and family to attend my court hearings to support me
Tell the judge I'm a nice nigga, good nigga
Ask the judge to consider me as a decent and kind human being
And I'ma play the sad face when he look nigga
I'll put on a sad facial expression when the judge looks at me
It's fucked up, that y'all won't accept my calls
It's messed up how my calls aren't accepted
Tell momma, at least she can send some drawers
Let mom know that she can at least send me some underwear
These walls, make y'all forget about me
This incarceration makes my friends and family forget about me
I'm comin' home, in 2033
I return home from prison in 2033
But that's irrelevant, did you get the mail I sent
But that's not important, did you receive the mail I sent?
What I tell a bitch, you better stay celibate
I command any woman to refrain from sexual activities
She start lyin to me, tell me who she ain't fuckin'
She begins to lie to me and denies having sexual relations with someone
Never tell me that my homeboys ain't nothin'
Don't tell me that my friends aren't important to me
Bun in the oven, it belong to my cousin
My cousin is expecting a child
Got the nerve, to tell me that you really love me
She has the audacity to say that she loves me
(What?) I'ma kill her ass when a nigga make parole
What?! I'm going to murder her when I'm released on parole
Hit her with my cane, cause a nigga gray and old
I'll strike her with my walking stick since I'll be old
Man, it ain't right man
This situation is unfair
You know y'all ain't doin' me right man
You aren't treating me correctly
A nigga tryin' to do right man
I'm attempting to reform myself
You know I'm tryin' to change my life man, you know?
You're aware that I'm trying to make a positive change in my life
I done found the Lord while I'm in here, you know?
I've found God while I'm incarcerated
I I'm tryin' to do right now, I mean
I'm genuinely trying to amend my ways
You know I'm sorry for everything
I apologize for everything I've done
That I, I I mean you know
I'm sorry, you know what I mean
Y'all niggas could at least send me somethin'
You guys could at least send me something
"Alright, first four guys, let's go, lock it up"
It's time for the first group of four guys to go and be locked up
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group, WORDS & MUSIC A DIV OF BIG DEAL MUSIC LLC
Written by: DELENO SEAN MATTHEWS, LEVAR R. COPPIN, O'SHEA JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Richard
Uh-huh, understand this
I don't give a fuck about what y'all talkin' about
I ain't tryin' to hear none of that shit
Nigga I'ma do what I wanna do
When I wanna do it, how I wanna do it
And you better hope I don't do it to you
Now, I don't care what momma got to say
I don't care what grandmomma got to say
Nigga I'm grown
Let me tell you a lil' somethin' about me
I was born not to give a fuck, wanna drink, get your cup
Turn it up, throw it up, take the world, blow it up
Somebody slow it up, roll it up, smoke it up
My own momma can't keep me from loc'n up
One ear out the other, one man out to smother
The neighborhood, that left me here without my brother
Fuck you under covers and you dirty motherfuckers
In the hood, that still fuck without rubbers
Club hop, bar hop, car shop, nail shop
To the mall, spend it all, why the hell not
What bills, what rent, don't know what's spent
Why you care, do you work for the government?
Fuck it homey, I'ma laugh now and cry later
Get your paper we can laugh now and cry later
All you players you can laugh now and cry later
Investigators let you laugh now and cry later
See I'm a product of this urban decay
A nigga dyin' for tomorrow, but live for today
A nigga lie steal and borrow, and cheatings OK
Don't you tell these motherfuckers that my name is O'Shea
Cause I'ma fuck up my baby's credit, let him regret it
7 months old he's already got a jail record
I'm the one to blame, put it in my momma name
She's a drama queen, but I got the bling bling
I need the watch and the bracelet and the earrings
I need you all to show up at my hearings
Tell the judge I'm a nice nigga, good nigga
And I'ma play the sad face when he look nigga
Fuck it homey, I'ma laugh now and cry later
Get your paper we can laugh now and cry later
All you players you can laugh now and cry later
Investigators let you laugh now and cry later
"The number you are calling was lost, and cannot be called back"
"Your last call return service"
It's fucked up, that y'all won't accept my calls
Tell momma, at least she can send some drawers
These walls, make y'all forget about me
I'm comin' home, in 2033
But that's irrelevant, did you get the mail I sent
What I tell a bitch, you better stay celibate
She start lyin to me, tell me who she ain't fuckin'
Never tell me that my homeboys ain't nothin'
Bun in the oven, it belong to my cousin
Got the nerve, to tell me that you really love me
(What?) I'ma kill her ass when a nigga make parole
Hit her with my cane, cause a nigga gray and old
Fuck it homey, I'ma laugh now and cry later
Get your paper we can laugh now and cry later
All you players you can laugh now and cry later
Investigators let you laugh now and cry later
Man, it ain't right man
You know y'all ain't doin' me right man
A nigga tryin' to do right man
You know I'm tryin' to change my life man, you know?
I done found the Lord while I'm in here, you know?
I I'm tryin' to do right now, I mean
You know I'm sorry for everything
That I, I I mean you know
That's fucked up how y'all doin' me man
Y'all niggas could at least send me somethin'
"Alright, first four guys, let's go, lock it up"
ΠΠ°Π½Π°Ρ ΠΠ±Π΄ΠΈΡΠΎΠ²Π°
Uh-huh, understand this
I don't give a fuck about what y'all talkin about
I ain't tryin to hear none of that shit
Nigga, I'ma do what I wanna do
When I wanna do it, how I wanna do it
And you better hope I don't do it to you
Now, I don't care what momma got to say
I don't care what grandmomma got to say
Nigga I'm grown
Let me tell you a lil' somethin about me
[Verse 1]
I was born not to give a fuck, wanna drink, get your cup
Turn it up, throw it up, take the world, blow it up
Somebody slow it up, roll it up, smoke it up
My own momma can't keep me fromΒ loc'n up
One ear out the other, one man out to smother
The neighborhood, that left me here without my brother
Fuck you undercovers and you dirty motherfuckers
In the hood, that still fuck without rubbers
Club hop, bar hop, car shop, nail shop
To the mall, spend it all, why the hell not
What bills, what rent, don't know what's spent
Why you care, do you work for the government?
[Chorus]
Fuck it, homie, I'ma laugh now and cry later
Get your paper we can laugh now and cry later
All you players you can laugh now and cry later
Investigators let you laugh now and cry later
[Verse 2]
See I'm a product of this urban decay
A nigga dyin for tomorrow, but live for today
A nigga lie steal and borrow, and cheating's okay
Don't you tell these motherfuckers that my name is O'Shea
Cause I'ma fuck up my baby's credit, let him regret it
Seven months old he's already got a jail record
I'm the one to blame, put it in my momma name
She's a drama queen, but I got the bling bling
I need the watch and the bracelet and the earrings
I need you all to show up at my hearings
Tell the judge I'm a nice nigga, good nigga
And I'mma play the sad face when he look nigga
[Chorus]
Fuck it, homie, I'ma laugh now and cry later
Get your paper we can laugh now and cry later
All you players you can laugh now and cry later
Investigators let you laugh now and cry later
[Interlude: repeat 2X]
"The number you are calling was lost, and cannot be called back"
"Your last call return service"
[Ice Cube]
It's fucked up, that y'all won't accept my calls
Tell momma, at least she can send some drawers
These walls, make y'all forget about me
I'm comin home, in 2033
But that's irrelevant, did you get the mail I sent
What I tell a bitch, you better stay celibate
She start lyin to me, tell me who she ain't fuckin
Never tell me that my homeboys ain't nothin
Bun in the oven, it belong to my cousin
Got the nerve, to tell me that you really love me
(What?) I'mma kill her ass when a nigga make parole
Hit her with my cane, cause a nigga gray and old
[Chorus]
Fuck it, homie, I'ma laugh now and cry later
Get your paper we can laugh now and cry later
All you players you can laugh now and cry later
Investigators let you laugh now and cry later
[Outro: Ice Cube]
Man, it ain't right man
Y'know y'all ain't doin me right man
A nigga tryin to do right man
Y'know I'm tryin to change my life man, y'know?
I done found the Lord while I'm in here, y'know?
I I'm tryin to do right now, I mean
Y'know I'm sorry for everythang
That I, I I mean y'know
That's fucked up how y'all doin me man
Y'all niggas could at least send me somethin
Alright, first four guys, let's go... lock it up
black ice
"Nigga, ima do what i wanna do,
when i wanna do it,
and how i wanna do it,
and you better hope that i dont do it to you!
Now, i dont care what mama gotta say,
I dont care what grandmama gotta say,
Nigga, im grown!
Let me tell you a lil somethin about me"
I was laughing at this part, because he was pissed at the beginning of the song, and what was he even mad for is beyond me
Allabove
2020 still in my daily rotation π₯π₯
Jay Wikked
2021 still bumpin them oldies π―π
Sanmiol
Still jamming to this in 2018
Big Dawg187
2022 still in this bihπ―
A Lom
Cube needs to make more shit like this one and raw footage
Robert Tanner
Hell yea
Martece Darring
Man raw footage was raw as hell and this 1
black ice
A Lom this is my favorite album out of all of ice cubes records. Its so gangsta. I also like raw footage and i am the west, but most of the songs are terrible on that album
Charmarke Abdoulkader
ice cube still gangsta even 50 years old
YO WTF
mega bass + ice cube = good times :))