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.
That New Funkadelic
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
You know the beat so sweet like booty meat
(So sweet)
You know the beat so sweet like booty meat
(Like booty meat)
You know the beat so sweet like booty meat
You know the beat so sweet like booty meat
Come through bumpin' that new Funkadelic
That new Funkadelic
Come through bumpin' that new Funkadelic
That new Funkadelic
Ice Cube got that new Funkadelic
That new Funkadelic
Ice Cube got that new Funkadelic
Better run, go tell it
(Yeah, haha)
Got an uncle named George
Only motherfucker always down to org'
Freaky motherfucker wanna Georgy-porge
Treat a big booty like a smorgasbord
Freaks on the flow, freaks on the flow
How many of y'all freaks on the low?
Freaks on the flow, freaks on the flow
How many of y'all freaks on the low? (yeah)
What's up for the evening?
I ain't into trickin', I'm into treatin' (yeah)
What's up for the evening?
I ain't into trickin' bitch, I'm into treatin'
(Yeah, yeah, what's up?)
What's up for the evening?
I ain't into trickin', I'm into treatin' (yeah)
What's up for the evening?
I ain't into trickin', I'm into treatin'
You know all about that party life
Party life
All about that party life (party life)
Party life (party life)
All about that party life
Party life
All about that party life
Party life
Come through bumpin' that new Funkadelic
That new Funkadelic
Come through bumpin' that new Funkadelic
That new Funkadelic
Ice Cube got that new Funkadelic
That new Funkadelic
Ice Cube got that new Funkadelic
Better run, go tell it
I heard weed was legal
Grow that shit nigga, feed your people
I heard weed was legal
Grow that shit nigga, feed your people
I heard weed was legal
Grow that shit nigga, feed your people
I heard weed was legal
Grow that shit nigga, feed your people, c'mon
Let's make a toast to every lazy
(Throw one up for the whole wide world)
It's a west-side celebration (everybody get up)
(No doubt about us, then you freaky, freaky yeah)
You know the funk will linger
All these motherfuckers wanna smell my finger
All these motherfuckers wanna fuck my singers
I don't give a damn nigga, Jerry Springer
California love, California bud
Long as I got it I don't give a fuck
It's the hypnotic, I'm the narcotic
So if you're spotted actin' robotic
Freeze, just like a mannequin
And then start panickin'
I'm too hard for you
They still wanna feed you like barbecue
Freaks on the flow, freaks on the flow
How many of y'all freaks on the low?
Freaks on the flow, freaks on the flow
How many of y'all freaks on the low?
Come through bumpin' that new Funkadelic
That new Funkadelic (come through)
Come through bumpin' that new Funkadelic (uh)
That new Funkadelic
Ice Cube got that new Funkadelic (you know)
That new Funkadelic
Ice Cube got that new Funkadelic (yeah)
Better run, go tell it
What's up for the evening?
I ain't into trickin', I'm into treatin'
What's up for the evening?
I ain't into trickin', bitch, I'm into treatin' (yeah)
What's up for the evening?
I ain't into trickin', I'm into treatin'
(Yeah, yeah, what's up?)
What's up for the evening?
I ain't into trickin', I'm into treatin'
You know the beat's so sweet like booty meat
(Like booty meat)
You know the beat's so sweet like booty meat
You know the beat's so sweet like booty meat
No matter who you meet, you can move your feet
In "That New Funkadelic," Ice Cube is praising the legendary band Funkadelic and their impact on music, while also reminding listeners that he is still relevant and can bring the funk. The chorus encourages fans to play the new Funkadelic music he has created, and the verses describe his own music and lifestyle, showcasing his California roots and love for weed. The use of the phrase "booty meat" to describe the beat adds a humorous and playful tone to the song.
The lyrics also reference George Clinton, the lead singer of Funkadelic, and his reputation as a sexual and experimental artist. The line "Freaks on the flow, freaks on the flow" is a nod to Clinton's hit song "Atomic Dog," which has a similar chorus. The song's bridge encourages listeners to celebrate and enjoy life, and to take advantage of the recent legalization of marijuana in California.
Overall, "That New Funkadelic" is a tribute to the past and present of funk music, and a reminder that Ice Cube is still a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
Line by Line Meaning
California
The song is about the culture of California
You know the beat so sweet like booty meat
The beat of the song is very catchy and irresistible
No matter who you meet, you can move your feet
The beat of the song is so good that anyone who hears it will feel like dancing
Come through bumpin' that new Funkadelic
The singer wants people to play his new song and bump it loudly
Ice Cube got that new Funkadelic
The singer, Ice Cube, is the one who created the new song that people should play
Better run, go tell it
The singer is telling his fans to spread the word about his new song
Got an uncle named George
The singer is referencing George Clinton, a musician and funk icon
Only motherfucker always down to org'
George Clinton is known for his wild and funky performances
Freaky motherfucker wanna Georgy-porge
George Clinton is known for indulging in all kinds of hedonistic pleasures
Treat a big booty like a smorgasbord
George Clinton loves all kinds of booty and treats them like a feast
What's up for the evening?
The singer is asking what people are doing for the evening
I ain't into trickin', I'm into treatin'
The singer is saying he is not interested in fooling around, he just wants to have a good time
You know all about that party life
The singer is referencing the party culture in California
Come through bumpin' that new Funkadelic
The singer reiterates his desire for people to play his new song
I heard weed was legal
The singer is referencing the legalisation of marijuana in California
Grow that shit nigga, feed your people
The singer is telling people to grow marijuana and sell it to make money and help others
Let's make a toast to every lazy
The singer wants to celebrate people who are unapologetically lazy
It's a west-side celebration
The song is celebrating the west side of California
All these motherfuckers wanna smell my finger
The singer is referencing a gross sexual act that people sometimes engage in
California love, California bud
The singer is celebrating the love and abundance of marijuana in California
I'm the narcotic
The singer is referencing his own addictive and intoxicating qualities
They still wanna feed you like barbecue
The singer is saying that some people want to exploit him and take advantage of his success
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: O'Shea Jackson, Tristan Jones
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Amine
It's not a song, it's a time machine !!!!! Thanks IceCube, we want more like this
swacfan100
WORD!!!!
J.K. Concerts
Eternal Woods sounds like your a lil pump fan
Arjun Ram
Old school rap will never die.
Neither will rock n' roll.
Nü in the shu
LIL RICH
Jordan
I hope u are right
Reecer Andrew
Rock and what? Jk
sameerthemahatmafairy
ACDC new album is amazing
LevyzeraGameplay
The real hip hop never dies !
Ice cube, one of the doppest rapper's alive !
Rob Lowe
FACTS