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.
My Skin Is My Sin
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
My skin is my sin, look at my complexion
Section 8, erection great
Balls like Ru Paul and a big fat plank
Get you higher than a Spike Lee joint
See I'm a chicken hawk and I'm hunting chicken and watermelon
It ain't nothing but hard time bailing
Cause I got a deuce-five, and I'm black as Sarafina
Get the hell out Somolia, we didn't call y'all
I can't wait till I can kill all y'all
Fuck Reggie Denton and Jimmy (Johnny) Cochran
Damn I couldn't get close enough to sock him
I plead guilty your honor
Cause I dissed the Pope more times than Sinead O'Connor
Huh huh, cool, like Butthead and Beavis
Truer than the Mack but I'm downer than he is
And that police chief named Willie
Can take his motherfucking ass back to Philly
Dropped a bomb on a crew named "Move"
Years ago, here's a hoe
That's ready to stop me, they think I'm Khadafi
Rolling in a six-tre jalopy
They want to give me ten in the pen cause I'm smelling like Hen
My skin is my sin
My S-K-I-N is my S-I-N (Burning our black skin)
My S-K-I-N is my S-I-N (Burning our black skin)
I Get Around like Tupac, just bought a new glock
And I want what you got
So please give it up so I can live it up
Just like the rich but I still eat grits
I don't know karate
But I can still beat the dog shit out of Nazis
You claim you want to put in work
Plotting to blow up a church
See you devils are all the same
You'll gun down a congregation in Jesus' name
Using me as a scapegoat, well cracker don't sleep
Far from a goat, more like a black sheep
Lamb of God, and it's odd
That Allah is a man that don't need a tan
And you can't stand when I talk like that
And why do black men have to walk like that?
Cause we swing low like a chariot
And now I got Harriet all on my dick
Cause my shoe size is much bigger than a motherfucking 10
My skin is my sin
My S-K-I-N is my S-I-N (Burning our black skin)
My S-K-I-N is my S-I-N (Burning our black skin)
Who's that janky-ass nigga with last?
Standing like a G pissing on America's flag
Dub C, the nigga from Westside
Westide Maad Circle bailing with a double barrel
Cause uh, my skin is my sin
And all I need is knowledge of self and ammunition is my best friend
When it's time to roll nigga, we ain't calling on Jesus
I'm calling Mad Dog for the 9 millimeters
Cause I give the song with those peckerwoods to the fullest
And a bitch by the name of America's on it
The same bitch that jacked my forefathers
And the Indians took my motherfucking religion
Place a holy Bible in my hand, but for what?
Like Jim Kelly said, "You try to set me up?" Shit...
I'm too slick for your lies in disguise
When will you devils open your eyes and realize?
Like Pepsi, niggas got a new generation
And we don't want your American education
Ain't no brain washing this way
Fuck America, Tom Meztger, and KKK
And to the cracker named J.B. Stoner
Don't let me catch you on no corners
I see you on TV talking more shit
But just like your punk-ass ancestors, you's a bitch
You's a bitch if I ever saw one
Grand Wizard bring your ass on Imperial so we can get physical
And watch God show and prove
Not only mentally but physically the black man rules
So run devil run, you's to best start running
Because the niggas are coming, oh, the niggas are coming
And ain't no way you gon' win
Cause I come from a tribe of O.G.'s and my skin is my sin
My S-K-I-N is my S-I-N "Burning our black skin"
My S-K-I-N is my S-I-N "Burning our black skin"
Ice Cube's song "My Skin Is My Sin" is a politically charged track with lyrics that deal with racial inequities, police brutality, and systemic racism. The first line of the song, "Motherfucker, you'd better break yourself," makes it clear that he's not holding back. He then goes on to highlight the issues he faces as a black man in America.
Cube sings about how his skin color is seen as a sin, and that he's always viewed with suspicion and fear by white people, "My skin is my sin, look at my complexion." He also touches on the issues of class struggle and poverty, noting that he lives in Section 8 housing, but his "erection's great." Cube states that his balls are "like Ru Paul," comparing his masculinity to that of the famous drag queen.
The lyrics of the song also reference pop culture and politics. Ice Cube name-drops Spike Lee, Sinead O'Connor, and Khadafi. He also speaks about his desire to kill all the people in Somalia and reveals his animosity towards certain public figures like Reggie Denton, Jimmy Cochran, and the Pope.
Overall, the song is a powerful commentary on the experiences and struggles of black people in America, particularly in the context of systemic oppression and a history of racism.
Line by Line Meaning
Motherfucker, you'd better break yourself
You better watch yourself and be careful around me.
My skin is my sin, look at my complexion
My black skin is considered a sin by society.
Section 8, erection great
I live in a section 8 neighborhood and I am sexually impressive.
Balls like Ru Paul and a big fat plank
I am well endowed and confident in my masculinity.
Get you higher than a Spike Lee joint
My presence and influence is powerful.
See I'm a chicken hawk and I'm hunting chicken and watermelon
I am on the hunt for my prey, just like a chicken hawk.
It ain't nothing but hard time bailing
Life is tough and I struggle to make ends meet.
Just got a misdomener
I just received a misdemeanor for a small offense.
Cause I got a deuce-five, and I'm black as Sarafina
I am black and I carry a small gun.
Get the hell out Somolia, we didn't call y'all
Leave us alone, we didn't ask for your help.
I can't wait till I can kill all y'all
I want to eliminate those who oppress me.
Fuck Reggie Denton and Jimmy (Johnny) Cochran
I have negative feelings towards these individuals.
Damn I couldn't get close enough to sock him
I wanted to physically harm someone but couldn't get close enough.
I plead guilty your honor
I admit to the crime I am accused of.
Cause I dissed the Pope more times than Sinead O'Connor
I have been critical of the Pope.
Huh huh, cool, like Butthead and Beavis
I am cool and confident in my demeanor.
Truer than the Mack but I'm downer than he is
I am true to myself but currently feeling down.
And that police chief named Willie
I have a negative history with a police chief named Willie.
Can take his motherfucking ass back to Philly
He can leave and go back to Philadelphia.
Dropped a bomb on a crew named "Move"
I was involved in a bombing with a group called "Move".
Years ago, here's a hoe
I am reflecting on a past experience.
That's ready to stop me, they think I'm Khadafi
Someone is trying to stop or harm me.
Rolling in a six-tre jalopy
I am driving an old, beat-up car.
They want to give me ten in the pen cause I'm smelling like Hen
I am targeted and judged unfairly because of my appearance.
Who's that janky-ass nigga with last?
I am being insulted and criticized.
Standing like a G pissing on America's flag
I am showing disrespect towards America.
Dub C, the nigga from Westside
I am representing Westside (of LA) with pride.
All I need is knowledge of self and ammunition is my best friend
I value self-awareness and am willing to protect myself.
Cause I come from a tribe of O.G.'s and my skin is my sin
I am a part of a group of wise, experienced individuals and society considers my skin a sin.
Lyrics Β© Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: HENRIK MILLING RASMUSSEN, JESPER DAHL, LASSE BAVNGAARD, NICHOLAS KVARAN, O'SHEA JACKSON, RASMUS BERG, WILLIAM L. CALHOUN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Random Games
Another master piece from Ice cube.The reggae vibe is just EPIC.
SuperSyre Ent.
2020 Still An All Time Great Song
Davide Selvi
2023
chris jones
2022
Bird Flippers
Not to mention very relevant
Gregory Campbell
Jay z can't make music like this
Noches de Karaoke
This foo said willie can take his ass back to philly, is he talking about will smith?ππ
Gusto B
Reality Rap at is best
Atomic Werewolf76
Youβre rightβ¦HOV is a boss, not a professional victim. His music reflects that.
Kareem Abbas
Hell naw he can't!!!