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.
Smoke Some Weed
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Chris Farley, Chris Rock, Bob Marley
Rick James, knew how to throw a party
"Smoke some weed"
Snoop Dogg, all the way to Cheech and Chong
Cypress Hill, Robert Downey hit the bong
Ricky Williams, fuck how Miami feeling
"Smoke some weed"
This is West coast nigga thinking
California quicksand got a nigga sinking
I can give a fuck what you niggas drinking
Smoke some weed
This is West coast nigga thinking
California quicksand got a nigga sinking
I can give a fuck what you bitches drinking
Smoke some weed
If you a baller, nigga I'm a hall of famer
Lion tamer, with two fo'-fifth flamers
Understand, that yo' life's in danger
Didn't your momma, tell you not to talk to strangers
Lil' nigga, I'm the Hillside Strangler
Have a banger, calling for the Lone Ranger
Most rappers, they wanna fuck sangers
I'm a nigga, that wanna own Topanga
G4, pull it up out the hanger
A lil' something, to fuel you niggas anger
The swine, I'm your face rearranger
In a mansion cause Jesus born in a manger
Motherfucker, belong on Jerry Spranger
I'm a gangsta, up in your CD changer
I'll gank ya, for 20 bucks then I'll thank ya
Police, still get the middle fanger
This is West coast nigga thinking
California quicksand got a nigga sinking
I can give a fuck what you niggas drinking
Smoke some weed
This is West coast nigga thinking
California quicksand got a nigga sinking
I can give a fuck what you bitches drinking
Smoke some weed
Lil' niggas, don't try this at home
Momma in the bathroom leave her ass alone
Cause she probably taking chronic straight to the dome
Go play you lil' fucker, stop being grown
Dave Chappelle, 50 million and a throne
With a big Zulu bitch, nigga getting blown
Watch your tone, if your wear Coppertone
Go back to Africa used to be a theme song
I'm in the zone, do anybody got a zone
I ain't your poppa, but daddy is a rolling stone
Youse a clone, who don't know the shit you on
Unless it's on, a motherfucking ringtone
I'm in a room with two bottles of Patron
You need a loan, to fuck with the Family Stone
Nigga go on, tell 'em Ice Cube is home
Gorilla niggas, here come King Kong
This is West coast nigga thinking
California quicksand got a nigga sinking
I can give a fuck what you niggas drinking
Smoke some weed
This is West coast nigga thinking
California quicksand got a nigga sinking
I can give a fuck what you bitches drinking
Smoke some weed
Ice Cube motherfucka
West Coast motherfucka
Smoke some weed
The lyrics in "Smoke Some Weed" by Ice Cube are essentially a testament to the revered tradition of smoking marijuana, especially on the West Coast. The song's first verse name-drops some of the most legendary figures associated with marijuana use, including George Clinton, Rick James, Bob Marley, Cypress Hill and even actor Chris Farley. The chorus emphasizes how smoking weed can help relieve stress and provide a different perspective on life. The second verse features Ice Cube boasting his iconic status and threatening those who might try to challenge him. The bridge emphasizes the ongoing theme of the song, which is that smoking weed can help navigate the stresses of modern life and free a person from their burdens.
The song's popularity is due to its catchy chorus and its easy-to-memorize lyrics. Nevertheless, the lyrics also emphasize that weed is not just a recreational drug. Ice Cube's lyrics imply that marijuana can be a tool for self-discovery, a means of escaping the harsh realities of life, and a way to help overcome social stigmas associated with drug use.
Overall, "Smoke Some Weed" is quintessential West Coast hip-hop, with its laid-back beat, smooth flow, and unapologetic lyrics promoting marijuana use.
Line by Line Meaning
George Bush, George Clinton, Bill Clinton
Naming prominent individuals of varying political and entertainment backgrounds
Chris Farley, Chris Rock, Bob Marley
Naming prominent individuals of varying entertainment backgrounds
Rick James, knew how to throw a party
Acknowledging the partying abilities of Rick James
"Smoke some weed"
Encouraging or suggesting the use of marijuana
Snoop Dogg, all the way to Cheech and Chong
Naming individuals who have publicly and often used marijuana
Cypress Hill, Robert Downey hit the bong
Naming individuals who use or have used marijuana
Ricky Williams, fuck how Miami feeling
Referencing NFL player Ricky Williams and disregarding the opinions or feelings of Miami
"Smoke some weed"
Encouraging or suggesting the use of marijuana
This is West coast nigga thinking
Representing a particular mentality or mindset from the West Coast region of the US
California quicksand got a nigga sinking
Referencing the difficult and challenging nature of living in California
I can give a fuck what you niggas drinking
Disregarding the beverage choices of others
Smoke some weed
Encouraging or suggesting the use of marijuana
If you a baller, nigga I'm a hall of famer
Asserting one's status as superior or successful
Lion tamer, with two fo'-fifth flamers
Describing oneself as capable and potentially dangerous
Understand, that yo' life's in danger
Warning others that they are risking their lives
Didn't your momma, tell you not to talk to strangers
Referencing a common warning from parents about talking to unfamiliar individuals
Lil' nigga, I'm the Hillside Strangler
Claiming responsibility for a notorious string of murders in the Hillside area of Los Angeles
Have a banger, calling for the Lone Ranger
Possibly referencing a desire for a romantic or sexual encounter
Most rappers, they wanna fuck sangers
Observing the common theme of sexual interest in singers or fans
I'm a nigga, that wanna own Topanga
Expressing a desire or aspiration to own a particular property or location
G4, pull it up out the hanger
Referencing a private jet and asserting one's wealth
A lil' something, to fuel you niggas anger
Offering something to provoke or motivate others
The swine, I'm your face rearranger
Threatening to physically harm or alter the face of another person
In a mansion cause Jesus born in a manger
Referencing the irony or unexpectedness of one's success or wealth
Motherfucker, belong on Jerry Spranger
Insulting or ridiculing another person
I'm a gangsta, up in your CD changer
Asserting one's status as a gangster and claiming to be frequently played in another person's music collection
I'll gank ya, for 20 bucks then I'll thank ya
Threatening to rob or steal from another person
Police, still get the middle fanger
Expressing a lack of respect or care for law enforcement
Lil' niggas, don't try this at home
Warning younger or inexperienced individuals to avoid dangerous behavior
Momma in the bathroom leave her ass alone
Advising against bothering a family member or authority figure
Cause she probably taking chronic straight to the dome
Implying that a family member is using or abusing marijuana
Go play you lil' fucker, stop being grown
Encouraging a childlike or carefree attitude
Dave Chappelle, 50 million and a throne
Naming a successful and wealthy comedian
With a big Zulu bitch, nigga getting blown
Describing a sexual encounter with a large or muscular woman
Watch your tone, if your wear Coppertone
Warning someone to be careful or respectful with their words
Go back to Africa used to be a theme song
Referencing a racist and offensive statement from the past
I'm in the zone, do anybody got a zone
Expressing one's focus and possibly searching for marijuana
I ain't your poppa, but daddy is a rolling stone
Referencing the popular song and asserting oneself as a non-father figure
Youse a clone, who don't know the shit you on
Insulting or ridiculing someone for copying or not understanding a certain lifestyle or behavior
Unless it's on, a motherfucking ringtone
Suggesting that behavior is only acceptable or legitimate if it is popular or trendy
I'm in a room with two bottles of Patron
Describing one's alcohol consumption or availability
You need a loan, to fuck with the Family Stone
Referencing the popular funk band Sly and the Family Stone and insinuating that one needs wealth or status to participate in certain social activities
Nigga go on, tell 'em Ice Cube is home
Asserting one's dominance or presence in a particular area or industry
Gorilla niggas, here come King Kong
Referencing the powerful and dominant nature of oneself and others like them
"Smoke some weed"
Encouraging or suggesting the use of marijuana
Ice Cube motherfucka
Asserting the artist's identity or presence
West Coast motherfucka
Asserting a regional identity or pride
Smoke some weed
Encouraging or suggesting the use of marijuana
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: O'SHEA JACKSON, STEPHEN WILLIAM ANDERSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@tookurjaerbs
This beat is straight fire. Nobody makes shit like this anymore
@sugestive371
no i wish they did
@classicburito5129
wanna know why ? Back in the day if u made wake music your career was ower. now you can to what ever shit u wanna
@Sosa081
@@classicburito5129 you an alcoholic?
@skullcandy005
yes......HIM
@Jackal-qs6gu
Cap
@flakoGM
appreciate ice cube while he still with us man’s a living legend
@downsouthn.o.1537
Facts. Top5. Doa
@WVK0NG
10 years later and this shit still slaps harder then will smith !
@davidcortes2485
Hhahahahahahhaa