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.
Super OG
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Everything's fucked up
Everything's bout a buck, we shit outta luck
Yeah
Blood used to be thicker than water
Now it depends on what kinda water you talkin' about
Niggas'll kill they momma over that almighty dollar
Yeah, you know me, Super O-G
In this song, Ice Cube highlights the corruption and chaos of the world around us. He begins by stating that everything is corrupt and messed up, from society to our personal lives. Everything is revolved around making a dollar and we are hopeless in this cycle. The phrase "we shit outta luck" emphasizes the bleakness of our situation. Cube goes on to talk about how in the past, blood relationships were stronger than anything, but now the value of water is more important. This implies that we have no loyalty towards our families and loved ones and that we're always ready to backstab them for personal gain. Ice Cube also notices how people would go as far as killing their own mothers for money.
The title "Super OG" stands for "Super Original Gangsta" and is a reference to Ice Cube's status as a legendary rapper and former member of the group N.W.A. In the chorus, Ice Cube speaks on how he has always been willing to take a knee, which can be interpreted as a submission or a sign of peace, but can also be a rebellion against injustices. Overall, the song is a wake-up call to modern-day society that we are fully immersed in a corrupt system, and the only way out is by acknowledging the problem and taking action.
Line by Line Meaning
Everything's corrupt
All around us is filled with corruption and dishonesty.
Everything's fucked up
Everything is in chaos and disarray. Nothing is going right.
Everything's bout a buck, we shit outta luck
Money is the only thing that matters now and we are all unlucky because of it.
Blood used to be thicker than water
Family used to be the most important bond, but that is no longer the case.
Now it depends on what kinda water you talkin' about
Now, the strength of a bond depends on the type of relationship and situation you are considering.
Niggas'll kill they momma over that almighty dollar
People are so desperate and greedy for money that they will even harm their own family for it.
Yeah, you know me, Super O-G
I am Ice Cube, the legendary gangster and original gangster.
Always down to take a knee
I am always ready to show my power and dominance, even if it means taking a submissive position temporarily.
Lyrics © GREAT SOUTH BAY MUSIC GROUP INC, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: Dee Underdue, O'Shea Jackson, Teak Alger Underdue
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
nonome 4
Finally an actual rap album made by one if the few G's still in the game
Lisa
Thank you CUBE!!! Thank you so much for bringing us a new album! REAL RAP right here! Much love from your Canadian fans!
Paul De Veaux
Been listening to Cube since '87. Still appeals to the listener. This record brings the listener to our current state and shuts out all the garbage that these young corporate rappers are turning out. Those idiots/puppets will be broke in a few years with pointless tattoos and memories. Cube is still doing it big and expanding his game. Reality should be at the forefront of the conscious mind. Immediately listened to Death Certificate after bumping this a few times. Yeah the Brother is putting things in perspective.
Diogo
Thank you Ice Cube! It was a good day
Lady Lilly
Thank You for showing an ad for this * I would not have heard of it otherwise & hopefully it will show up for anyone else watching dope videos on my facebook page * I can't wait to listen to the rest of it * Thank you for taking the time to write & produce this * God Bless
Bobby Boy
Hopefully we getting rap back to it's TRUE OG style.. ice will drop and the rest will follow
306Nick
Real Rap music is not dead....Fuck yes
TenJeden NaMilion
Ice Cube dropped album. It was a good day...
ThaMentalGod
and he didnt even have to use his ak! 😎
Perceptionpoet
Back with bangers