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.
Say Hi To The Bad Guy
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Police do not try to adjust your radios
There is nothing wrong
We have takin' control over this city
As to bring you this special
Bulletin and we will return this motherfucker
To ya as soon as the National guard move in
But I'll blast ya never call ya master
Who is that kickin' up shit much faster?
Rollin on a scooter, you know I might do ya
See a black clock and my buck shots run right through ya
I never knew ya
'Cause I'm not a trick
You can suck the biggity-dick, I'm not the piggity-pig
I get away quickity-quick
On the plane to South Central
Never get played by the monkey wrench ho
Steady mobbin' I'm just like Robin Hood
Up to no good, so many bitches on my wood
To the right of me and to the left of me
Bitch, I got so much game I need a referee
Throw a penalty of ass interference
Damn, y'all over me, so bitch get on the bitch
Here comes the cops so I better hit the fence
Better run fast 'cause the Dobermans pinch
And I won't play mine in the daytime
Goddamn, here comes the canine
Four legged copper that wants to use Ice Cube as a whopper
But who's the first nigga to outrun a chopper?
No lie say hi to the bad guy
Fuck! (Hey guys, where ya headed?)
Nowhere, man (got your license and registration?)
Yeah, hold up, right here (hey, what's in that box back there?)
Nothin', ah, nothin' (they happen to be donuts?)
(Ya got a glazed donut? How bout a bear claw?)
Ah iIf you don't have one, I got ta gaffle ya)
What? You gon' gaf, yeah!
See one-time, hit 'em up
'Cause you know the Lench Mob is down to get 'em up
People think Ice Cube roll with the gangs
'Cause I'm in a coupe de sittin' on thangs
Ain't gotta tell me twice about the jack
See a got a 9 in my lap to take care of that
Caps get peeled on the regular
'Cause niggas try to get me for my cellular
Knick knack paddy wack, the mack daddy's back
Kidnappin' hos like the Patty Hurst jack
Have the white ho, where the fo-fo'?
Go rob a liquor store, they can't blame it on a nigga row
Bring the money to the rooster
Had the bitch and the Mob bein' the booster
Damn, can't stand when the bitch get sent to sample
And come back up man
You want to point the finger at me 'cause the O.G.
As sooped like Chevro R.D.
Humpin', jumpin', had the place jumpin'
Goddamn, gotta break you off somethin'
You want to know why I bust in half
Now look at you now
Huh, and I'm out real fast
Get the paper out yo' ass, baby
Yo, here we go, listen to the po'
Shoot the bo-bo and act like ya know, ho
Fuck with the flow and die
When I walk by say hi to the bad guy
Ayo man, there's just one left
(I'll make a deal with ya)
What? (Ah, ya got one of those powdered donuts?
(How bout that twister
If it have cream in the middle
I'm gonna have to gaffle ya!)
You gon' gaffle us?
(Hey, can I reach back there and get one?
Ah yeah homie, go on and reach ahead here
Got a lot of donuts left
Duck ya head in here man
(What kind of a cop killer are you?)
The opening lines of Ice Cube's "Say Hi to the Bad Guy" set the tone for the rest of the track. The lyrics depict a state of lawlessness in the city, with Ice Cube's character informing listeners that the police are no longer in control. The song was released shortly after the L.A. riots in the early 90s that were sparked after the acquittal of several police officers for the beating of Rodney King. It's clear that this event influenced Ice Cube's lyrics.
The verses that follow are filled with violent imagery and bravado. Ice Cube raps about running from the police, shooting at his enemies, and kidnapping women. He presents himself as a bad guy who is not to be messed with. The chorus encourages listeners to acknowledge his status as a villain by saying hi to the bad guy.
The lyrics of "Say Hi to the Bad Guy" are a commentary on the social and political climate of the time. The song speaks to the frustration and anger of those who felt that they were being oppressed by the police and the system. Ice Cube's character is an embodiment of that anger, and the song is a call to action for others to stand up against the powers that be.
Line by Line Meaning
Good evening.
Ice Cube begins his song with a greeting.
Police do not try to adjust your radios.
Ice Cube is telling listeners not to adjust their radios because he has taken control over the song.
There is nothing wrong.
Ice Cube reassures listeners that there is no issue with the song.
We have takin' control over this city
Ice Cube has taken control of the song and is in charge.
As to bring you this special
Ice Cube is bringing something special to listeners with this song.
Bulletin and we will return this motherfucker
Ice Cube is announcing a special bulletin that will be returned to listeners.
To ya as soon as the National
The bulletin will be returned to listeners as soon as the National Guard is involved.
Guard move in.
The National Guard is involved in Ice Cube's announcement.
The cops want to catch the nigga that won't fetch
Cops are after Ice Cube and are trying to catch him.
But I'll blast ya never call ya master
If cops try to catch him, Ice Cube will retaliate and shoot them.
Who is that kickin' up shit much faster?
Ice Cube wants to know who is causing trouble more quickly than he is.
Rollin on a scooter, you know I might do ya
Ice Cube is on a scooter and could shoot someone.
See a black clock and my buck shots run right through ya
Ice Cube's gun can shoot someone through their clothing.
I never knew ya
Ice Cube doesn't know the person he could shoot.
'Cause I'm not a trick
Ice Cube is not a fool who can be tricked.
You can suck the biggity-dick, I'm not the piggity-pig
Ice Cube won't let anyone take advantage of him.
I get away quickity-quick
Ice Cube can get away from danger quickly.
On the plane to South Central
Ice Cube is going back to South Central to escape danger.
Never get played by the monkey wrench ho
Ice Cube doesn't let anyone mess with him.
Steady mobbin' I'm just like Robin Hood
Ice Cube is a mobster like Robin Hood.
Up to no good, so many bitches on my wood
Ice Cube is always up to no good.
To the right of me and to the left of me
Ice Cube is surrounded by women.
Bitch, I got so much game I need a referee
Ice Cube has so much game with women that he needs a referee.
Throw a penalty of ass interference
The referee throws a flag for interference.
Damn, y'all over me, so bitch get on the bitch
The women are all over Ice Cube.
Here comes the cops so I better hit the fence
The cops are coming so Ice Cube runs away.
Better run fast 'cause the dobermans pinch
Ice Cube runs fast so the dobermans can't catch him.
And I won't play mine in the daytime
Ice Cube doesn't play around during the day.
Goddamn, here comes the canine
The police dogs are coming for Ice Cube.
Four legged copper that wants to use Ice Cube as a whopper
The police dogs are after Ice Cube and want to catch him.
But who's the first nigga to outrun a chopper?
Ice Cube is proud to be the first person who has outrun the police helicopter.
No lie say hi to the bad guy
Ice Cube is the bad guy and wants listeners to acknowledge him.
Nowhere, man
The dialogue in this section is a scene where Ice Cube is being pulled over by police.
Yeah, hold up, right here
Ice Cube gives the police his license and registration.
Nothin', aah, nothin'
The police ask if there is anything in the box in Ice Cube's car and he says no.
Ya got a glazed donut? How bout a bear claw?
The police ask if there are donuts in the car.
Ah (If you don't have one, I got ta gaffle ya)
Ice Cube is being threatened by the police.
See one-time, hit em up
Ice Cube uses the term 'one-time' to refer to the police.
'Cause you know the Lench Mob is down to get em up
The Lench Mob is ready to fight the police.
People think Ice Cube roll with the gangs
People assume that Ice Cube is associated with gangs.
'Cause I'm in a coupe de sittin' on thangs
Ice Cube is driving around in a fancy car.
Ain't gotta tell me twice about the jack
Ice Cube is familiar with robbery and theft.
See a got a 9 in my lap ta take care of that
Ice Cube has a gun to protect himself.
Caps get peeled on the regular
Ice Cube regularly uses his gun.
'Cause niggas try to get me for my cellular
People try to steal Ice Cube's phone.
Knick knack paddy wack, the mack daddy's back
Ice Cube is back and ready to show off.
Kidnappin' hos like the Patty Hurst jack
Ice Cube kidnaps women like Patty Hurst.
Have the white ho, where the fo'-fo'?
Ice Cube asks where his gun is and has a white woman with him that he kidnapped.
Go rob a liquor store, they can't blame it on a nigga row
Ice Cube tells his accomplice to rob a store and they won't be blamed for it.
Bring the money to the rooster
Bring the money to Ice Cube.
Had the bitch and the Mob bein' the booster
The woman with Ice Cube is helping him and his accomplice.
Damn, can't stand when the bitch get sent to sample *?bran?*
Ice Cube doesn't like when women go against the plan.
And come back up man
But the woman comes back up to him.
You want to point the finger at me 'cause the O.G.
People blame Ice Cube for being the original gangsta.
As sooped like Chevro R.D.
Ice Cube is as tough as the Chevy R.D. car.
Humpin', jumpin', had the place jumpin'
Ice Cube is making things happen.
Goddamn, gotta break you off somethin'
Ice Cube has something special to give listeners.
You want to know why I bust in half
Ice Cube explains why he is so famous.
Now look at you now
Ice Cube boasts about his success.
Huh, and I'm out real fast
Ice Cube leaves quickly.
Get the paper out yo' ass, baby
Ice Cube wants listeners to focus on getting money.
Yo, here we go, listen to the po'
Ice Cube wants listeners to listen to him.
Shoot the bo-bo and act like ya know, ho
Ice Cube says to shoot someone and act like you know what you're doing.
Fuck with the flow and die
Don't mess with Ice Cube or you'll pay.
When I walk by say hi to the bad guy
Ice Cube is a bad guy and wants listeners to acknowledge him.
Ai yo man, there's just one left
Dialogue between Ice Cube and police, indicating they are ready to let him go.
I'll make a deal with ya
The police try to make a deal with Ice Cube.
Aah, ya got one of those powdered donuts?
Ice Cube asks for a powdered donut.
How bout that twister?
Ice Cube asks for a different kind of donut.
If it have cream in the middle, I'm gonna have to gaffle ya!
Ice Cube threatens the police with violence if he doesn't get a donut with cream in the middle.
Hey, can I reach back there and get one?
The police ask if they can get a donut.
Ah yeah homie, go on and reach ahead here
Ice Cube lets the police get a donut.
Duck ya head in here man
Ice Cube tells the police to duck their head to get the donut.
What kind of cop killer are you?
The police question Ice Cube's criminal activities.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Sylvester Stewart, Bernard Worrell, O'shea Jackson, George Jr. Clinton, Bootsy Collins
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@nate7968
I think it's safe 2 say cube is not only the best lyricist on the West Coast, but one of best Period.
@kolisionn
Forreal 💯
@denizisi7245
DoggFace East Top 5 easily. He is not one of these overcomplex lyricists, but on a technical level he is a beast. Storytelling, Punchlines, Metaphors, Similies, Wordplay, Bars, Entrendes and Mulit-Syllabic rhymes these are things Cube got. And he outrapped the best of the best like Scarface, 2pac, Kam, Kool G Rap, Chuck D and more.
@joshuadurham1257
True
@m-1teamkibble718
I agree totally
@mannybroi5142
Facts
@BlueBusssss
this song hits so hard
@anthonythegreat72
"If it has cream in the middle, I'm a have ta gaffle ya."😂😂😂
@djangounchained5466
Ice cube is crazyyyy
@devious187
When this album was fresh, most people I knew considered Who Got The Camera and Say Hi To The Bad Guy throwaway as he said most of what he says in these songs better on other tracks... 30 years later and they might be the 2 most poignant tracks on the album