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.
Soul On Ice
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You got to smell my cologne
West coast motherfucka
Let's toast motherfucka
[Repeat: x16]
Old money
Don't try to con the godfather in sunny
Don't try to turn your four fathers into money
The rap god got the whole world praying for me
Pray for me (pray for me, pray for me)
Third eye see you laying for me
Crazy goons D.J'ing for me
I'm the real iron man you just Robert Downey
A crack head and black face fresh out the county
Nigga
[Chorus]
Back the fuck up off me
I burn just like hot coffee
I'm kind of sweet like coffee
Look what this game done taught me
Look mama look mama I'm soul on ice
Look mama look mama I'm soul on ice
Look mama look mama I'm soul on ice
Look mama look mama I'm soul on ice
Ey
You bout to smell my cologne
You bout to smell my cologne
You bout to smell my cologne
Look nigga
You bout to smell my cologne
Ey
[Repeat: x16]
Old money
Candy paint flow ever since my Adidas
Ice cube fans get sugar diabetes
Sugar Ray Leonard style nigga I'm the sweetest
Rolled in on some ass just like Jesus
Cool as a fridge and you shaking like jello
Mad cause my life's like a marshmallow
Look motherfucka if you smell my cologne
Ask yourself why you're all up in my zone
Back the fuck up off me
I burn just like hot coffee
I'm kind of sweet like coffee
Look what this game done taught me
Look mama look mama I'm soul on ice
Look mama look mama I'm soul on ice
Look mama look mama I'm soul on ice
Look mama look mama I'm soul on ice
Ey
You bout to smell my cologne
You bout to smell my cologne
You bout to smell my cologne
You bout to smell my cologne
Hey
Yo what's up my niggas out there
Just letting you know right now man
You got to, you better you gotta pay your dues
To the dime nigga
Dead on the block and hit y'all ass
With that old ice cube super bomb hit
The one that sent your cousin Tony Tole to the penitentiary
Get back in 89
The one that sent Lil' Ray Ray out from L.A.
To St Louis and got off the bus
And served those nigga them quarter thangs
Make sure y'all tune into that nigga ice cube
The first one who put you niggas
On perms and pimping
Pistols and preaching
Perms and pimping
Pistols and preaching
Perms and pimping
Pistols and preaching
Perms and pimping
Pistols and preaching
[Repeat: x16]
Old money
The lyrics of "Soul On Ice" by Ice Cube depict themes of wealth, power, and influence, combined with a sense of self-awareness and confidence. The opening lines of the song indicate a level of success and influence, with the singer claiming to be "internationally known" and commanding others to "smell [his] cologne." The lyrics continue to express a sense of superiority over others, positioning the singer as a powerful figure: "Don't try to con the godfather in sunny / Don't try to turn your four fathers into money."
Line by Line Meaning
Internationally known
Ice Cube is widely recognized and famous globally
You got to smell my cologne
Ice Cube's presence is strong and dominant, like a scent that fills the room
West coast motherfucka
Proudly representing the west coast, where he is from
Let's toast motherfucka
Celebrating success and accomplishments
Old money
Money that has been in the family for generations, indicating wealth and privilege
Old money new money no money nose runny
Regardless of one's financial status, everyone has problems
Don't try to con the godfather in sunny
Don't attempt to deceive someone in a position of power and authority
Don't try to turn your four fathers into money
Don't let greed and materialism overshadow family heritage and values
The rap god got the whole world praying for me
Ice Cube believes he is highly respected and influential in the world of hip-hop
Pray for me (pray for me, pray for me)
Asking for support and positive vibes from others
Third eye see you laying for me
A reference to intuition and seeing potential dangers from others
Crazy goons D.J'ing for me
Having a team of loyal supporters and friends
I'm the real iron man you just Robert Downey
Ice Cube sees himself as a strong and unbreakable figure, compared to the actor who played Iron Man
A crack head and black face fresh out the county
Acknowledging his past struggles with drugs and his time in jail
Nigga
A term of camaraderie and solidarity among Black men
Back the fuck up off me
Demanding respect and space from others
I burn just like hot coffee
Having a fiery personality and the ability to make others feel uncomfortable
I'm kind of sweet like coffee
Despite his tough exterior, Ice Cube has a softer side and can be charming
Look what this game done taught me
Ice Cube has learned valuable lessons and gained experience from the music industry
Look mama look mama I'm soul on ice
Acknowledging his cool and collected demeanor, despite any struggles or hardships he faces
You bout to smell my cologne
Ice Cube's presence is strong and will make an impact
Yo what's up my niggas out there
Addressing and connecting with his Black community and fans
You got to, you better you gotta pay your dues
Success requires hard work and sacrifice
Perms and pimping
The lifestyle and culture associated with Black men in the music industry
Pistols and preaching
The harsh and violent realities of life, and the message of hope and change that music can bring
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ICE-T, AFRIKA ISLAM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@BlackPantherStudios
Ice Cube is my favorite rapper and excellent example of businessman to follow.
Ice Cube is the greatest Westcoast MC of all-time.
Great song.
@julianasilveira8699
Very crazy sound, Ice cube best rapper of all master
@crazzydropit5122
ΩJuliana Silveira #MafiaEspartanaΩ one of da best rappers*
@crazzydropit5122
i mean real rappers like tupac, biggie , DRE , prodigy ,eazy e...
@bereal2479
Krs one destroyed Ice Cube with few lines.. Ice Cube ain't no best. But whatever,chicks know nothing about Hip Hop
@davidbailey2037
Lauris Medus
CUBE MORE RELEVANT.
@julianasilveira8699
The best are, method man, snoop doggy, guru, too short, Nas, 50cent, young maylay
@user-sy7wy2rx3f
7 years old song, but it is still amazing!
@blackice7408
Now a decade old
@hlhlm9149
@@blackice7408 h bb nbjju