O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, … Read Full Bio ↴O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the seminal rap group N.W.A (Niggaz Wit Attitudes). After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he began both a successful solo music career and an acting career which included roles in films such as Boyz n the Hood (1991), Friday (1995), for which he also co-wrote the screenplay, and Barbershop (2002). Additionally, he has served as one of the producers of the Showtime television series Barbershop and the TBS series Are We There Yet?, both of which are based upon films in which he portrayed the main character.

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.

Spittin
Ice Cube Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Fuck a ghostwriter, sittin' in the back
Of the studio tryin' to write a nigga rap
It's the Muppet show, most niggas need A&R
To tell 'em how to fuck a hoe
Ice Cube, true emcee
Write everything I say, even back in the day
I'm a spit it how I feel it, fuck a gimmick
You can keep your catchy lines, I'm bout to write a rhyme

If you got a backpack tryin' to act black
Think you know the culture? You's a fuckin' vulture
You never approached a mic
You're dressed like a dike sayin' what ya don't like
Who deserve five Mics, who deserve two
But the nigga with two still can serve you
This West Coast flow is different than the East
But it ain't no different in the street

I'm spittin' pollaseeds (I'm spittin' pollaseeds)
I crack 'em one by one 'cause I don't wanna be greedy
Cause the salt might make you choke
(I'm spittin' pollaseeds) I'm spittin' pollaseeds
I crack 'em one by one 'cause I don't wanna be greedy
Because these niggas is salty they'll make you choke
Oh oh, you niggas got me fucked up

I'm spittin' pollaseeds on the porch with the torch
In case these niggas come around to see the Porsche
When I brandish, motherfuckers vanish
They don't understand like a nigga speakin' Spanish
No comprende, me no speak no Engle
Here now yo' ass feelin' tingley
Now you're doin' shit like Darryl Stingley
Don't get stung by the motherfuckin' stingray
Jumpin' over niggas, y'all better king me
Put your rap careers up on eBay
Crazy Toones is the motherfuckin' D-J
Baby drop to your knees, he deserves a B-J
I got a big brother nicknamed C-J
When you see him in the hood take it easy
If you a breezy, take him to the heezy
Do him like Halle Berry did Michael Ealy

I'm spittin' pollaseeds (I'm spittin' pollaseeds)
I crack 'em one by one 'cause I don't wanna be greedy
Cause the salt might make you choke
I'm spittin' pollaseeds (I'm spittin' pollaseeds)
I crack 'em one by one, 'cause I don't wanna be greedy
Because these niggas is salty they'll make you choke
Oh oh (I'm spittin' pollaseeds)

Quick to twist ya, hit ya, it's the chipper
Pistol gripper, skip-skipper runnin' up in your rear view mirror
Ready to bust with my bandanna, bumpin' oldies
Cube throw me the lob like Odom to Kobe
So I could bust a Crip Walk on these niggas
Yellow tape off these niggas, fuck all these salty niggas
They can't hold our shit
Gangsta rap ain't dead, motherfuckers just stole our shit
All you niggas owe us alimony
All you did was switch your name and ate our style up like ravioli
On your club raps I'm pissin', talk shit I'll knock your Comodi glasses
Off your face under the transmission, nigga
From the West side fuckin' up the program
With the surplus hanky hangin' out the Brougham
Dub Sizzla, dippin' on them 'draulics and D's
Spittin' shells at you niggas like pollaseeds

I'm spittin' pollaseeds
I crack 'em one by one 'cause I don't wanna be greedy
Cause the salt might make you choke
I'm spittin' pollaseeds

I crack 'em one by one, 'cause I don't wanna be greedy
Because these niggas is salty they'll make you choke, oh oh

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to "Spittin' Pollaseeds" by Ice Cube are a scathing criticism of the rap industry and the way it has shifted away from genuine talent and creativity towards marketing and gimmicks. Cube raps about how he doesn't need a ghostwriter or an A&R (Artists and Repertoire) to tell him how to make music - he writes everything himself and raps from the heart. He calls out other rappers who rely on gimmicks and catchy lines, saying that he would rather write rhymes that are true to himself than pander to the masses. He also criticizes rappers who claim to know the culture but are really just vultures, and those who dress up in hip-hop clothes but have never approached a microphone. The song includes a clever metaphor of spitting pollaseeds, where Cube cracks them one by one so that he doesn't get too much salt and choke - a comment on how too much salt, or too much of the same thing in rap music, can be overwhelming and unfulfilling.

Line by Line Meaning

Fuck a ghostwriter, sittin' in the back Of the studio tryin' to write a nigga rap
I don't need anyone to write my lyrics for me. Unlike some other artists who may have ghostwriters, I write all of my own rhymes and I do it without any help.

It's the Muppet show, most niggas need A&R To tell 'em how to fuck a hoe
Most rappers need help from their record label's A&R department to create a song that appeals to the masses. They need someone to tell them how to make a hit, including what to say about women.

Ice Cube, true emcee Write everything I say, even back in the day
I am a true emcee, and I write all of my own raps. This has always been the case, even from the early days of my career.

I'm a spit it how I feel it, fuck a gimmick You can keep your catchy lines, I'm bout to write a rhyme
I write from the heart and never compromise my art for the sake of a catchy hook. I don't care if my rhymes don't get radio play, because I am true to my style and that is more important to me.

If you got a backpack tryin' to act black Think you know the culture? You's a fuckin' vulture
Some rappers who dress in a certain style and try to be 'urban' are only doing it to fit in and profit off of black culture. Essentially, they are vultures who prey on a culture that is not their own for financial gain.

You never approached a mic You're dressed like a dike sayin' what ya don't like
Some rappers have never actually performed and are only talking about what they believe hip-hop should be like. And yet, they dress in ways that are not traditional to masculinity, and they criticize others for not embracing their perspective.

Who deserve five Mics, who deserve two But the nigga with two still can serve you
Some artists may only receive two out of five microphone ratings, implying that they are not top-tier rap artists. However, even those who receive two microphones can still serve up some great rhymes and leave an impression on their listeners.

This West Coast flow is different than the East But it ain't no different in the street
While there are clearly different styles of rap between the West Coast and the East Coast, when it comes down to it, both regions have their fair share of violence and crime in the streets.

I'm spittin' pollaseeds (I'm spittin' pollaseeds) I crack 'em one by one 'cause I don't wanna be greedy Cause the salt might make you choke (I'm spittin' pollaseeds) I'm spittin' pollaseeds I crack 'em one by one 'cause I don't wanna be greedy Because these niggas is salty they'll make you choke Oh oh, you niggas got me fucked up
Just like spitting out the seeds of a pomegranate, I am slowly but surely breaking down my competition one by one. I don't want to become too ambitious and become overwhelmed, as there are certain dudes who are very salty and can't handle it. They're trying to bring me down but their lies make them look foolish.

I'm spittin' pollaseeds on the porch with the torch In case these niggas come around to see the Porsche When I brandish, motherfuckers vanish They don't understand like a nigga speakin' Spanish
I keep a close eye on anyone who comes to see me, and if they cause trouble, they will quickly disappear. They won't understand what hit them, no matter how much I try to explain myself. It's almost like I'm speaking a foreign language to them.

No comprende, me no speak no Engle Here now yo' ass feelin' tingley Now you're doin' shit like Darryl Stingley Don't get stung by the motherfuckin' stingray
Even if I try to explain, they won't understand me. They will end up getting hurt, just like Darryl Stingley, an NFL player who was left paralyzed after a hit during a game. They need to be careful not to get hurt by me.

Jumpin' over niggas, y'all better king me Put your rap careers up on eBay Crazy Toones is the motherfuckin' D-J Baby drop to your knees, he deserves a B-J
I am dominating the rap game right now, and if anyone thinks they can take me on, they should just sell their careers on eBay. And don't forget, Crazy Toones is my DJ and deserves the utmost respect.

I got a big brother nicknamed C-J When you see him in the hood take it easy If you a breezy, take him to the heezy Do him like Halle Berry did Michael Ealy
My older brother, nicknamed C-J, is a force to be reckoned with. He is respected in our neighborhood, and if you mess with him, you will regret it. And if you're going to be with him, don't cause any trouble. Otherwise, you might end up like Michael Ealy when he was brutally beaten in the movie 'Monster's Ball'.

Quick to twist ya, hit ya, it's the chipper Pistol gripper, skip-skipper runnin' up in your rear view mirror Ready to bust with my bandanna, bumpin' oldies Cube throw me the lob like Odom to Kobe
I am quick to attack and take on anyone who tries to come at me. I always have my gun ready, and I'm not afraid to use it. When I'm cruising around town, I'm always bumping classic oldies, and if I see trouble, Ice Cube will throw me a metaphorical alley-oop to take care of it.

So I could bust a Crip Walk on these niggas Yellow tape off these niggas, fuck all these salty niggas They can't hold our shit
I'm ready to show off my Crip Walk skills and put these salty rappers in their place. They're not truly from our streets and don't really understand what makes our music so great.

Gangsta rap ain't dead, motherfuckers just stole our shit All you niggas owe us alimony All you did was switch your name and ate our style up like ravioli On your club raps I'm pissin', talk shit I'll knock your Comodi glasses Off your face under the transmission, nigga
Gangsta rap is not gone, but other artists have stolen our style and made it their own without giving proper credit where it's due. They've essentially stolen our intellectual property and need to pay up. I am not impressed by their watered-down 'club raps', and I'm not afraid to knock some sense into anyone who talks trash.

From the West side fuckin' up the program With the surplus hanky hangin' out the Brougham Dub Sizzla, dippin' on them 'draulics and D's Spittin' shells at you niggas like pollaseeds
I'm out here on the West side, making waves and breaking records with my music. I drive a Brougham with a handkerchief hanging out of the window, and when I'm riding low on my hydraulics and wheels, I'll take out any competition with ease.

I'm spittin' pollaseeds I crack 'em one by one 'cause I don't wanna be greedy Cause the salt might make you choke I'm spittin' pollaseeds I crack 'em one by one, 'cause I don't wanna be greedy Because these niggas is salty they'll make you choke, oh oh
Just like spitting out the seeds of a pomegranate, I am slowly but surely breaking down my competition one by one. I don't want to become too ambitious and become overwhelmed, as there are certain dudes who are very salty and can't handle it. They're trying to bring me down but their lies make them look foolish.

Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: RAHSAAN PATTERSON, KIPPER JONES, O'SHEA JACKSON, KEITH E. CROUCH, WILLIAM CALHOUN, JERRY BUDDY LONG

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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