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.
The Game Lord
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I love chrome and paint, lookin' for some motherfuckin' corners to bank
West coast what the fuck you thank?
Everybody here off weed and drank (everybody)
Before you check my rims
When you leave the parking lot, check ya limbs
You better check ya friends
And see if ya baby momma left with them
Understand that is us verse them
They can give a fuck if we sink or swim
They give us guns and drugs
Then wonder why in the fuck we thugs
I got to show my ass
To thank these motherfuckers for my past
In South Central, Los Angeles, Grandmama smoke cannabis
Granddaughter wanna dance and shit, her own momma can't stand the bitch
[Chorus: x2]
If you fuckin' up, pray to the game lord
Wanna bust a nut? Pray to the game lord
Nigga get ya cup, pray to the game lord
You can throw it up, pray to the game lord
[Ice Cube]
I love where I from, hungry ass niggas better get you some
Smart ass niggas play dumb
Y'all can't fuck with the city I run
If I snap my fingers, better curl up just like a fetus
I hope you know Jesus
Because if you don't, boy you will see us
Where? Up in your house, two double barrels up in your mouth
You got some explainin' to do
And don't get the line 'cause we aiming at you
(Ewww!) It's a doggy dog world baby, you a nut and I'ma squirrel baby
Can I get ya in my world baby?
Can ya grease my Jerry curl baby?
Did you flip yo' wig
To let Michael Jackson baby sit yo' kids?
That nigga old as hell
They need to throw the motherfuckin' momma in jail
Let 'em know
[Chorus: x2]
[Repeat: x2]
Fuck wit this if you want to, the game lord will punish you
Punish us if we ain't true, to the game like we 'pose to
[Ice Cube]
I'm the game lord, y'all come now
Casanova niggas, got the sun down
Run down every hoe that wanna go shoppin'
Get they kids, take 'em to the mall, buy 'em somethin'
Are you a gentleman?
Big bear wit a nigga named Gentle Ben
Ladies, he'll be yo' friend
Wait for the cable guy, even let him in
Not me, I won't flex or bend
Just 'cause a hoe promise me some trim
You better get wit the rest of them
Cause can't none of y'all even fuck wit Kim
Some niggas was born wit hoe in 'em
I was put on this Earth to spit ism
And I shall return like it's written
And slay all the suckers who be sippin'
[Chorus: x2]
Ice Cube's "The Game Lord" is an ode to his roots, South Central Los Angeles. He takes pride in his hometown and speaks of the struggles and issues faced by black and Mexican youth in the area. He raps about the prevalence of drugs and guns, the divide between the two races, and the lack of support from those in power. He emphasizes the need to stay true to oneself and the game, and to be wary of those who may betray you.
The chorus invites listeners to pray to the game lord for guidance and strength. The game lord serves as a symbol of the streets, the game that one must play to survive in a harsh environment. The song is a reminder that one must be vigilant and tenacious in the face of adversity.
Overall, "The Game Lord" is a powerful commentary on the state of inner-city communities and the need for resilience in the face of hardship.
Line by Line Meaning
I love chrome and paint, lookin' for some motherfuckin' corners to bank
I love my fancy cars and am looking for some good corners to show them off and make money.
West coast what the fuck you thank?
What do you think about the west coast culture and lifestyle?
Everybody here off weed and drank (everybody)
Everyone here is smoking weed and drinking alcohol.
Before you check my rims
Before you admire my car's wheels.
When you leave the parking lot, check ya limbs
When you're leaving, make sure you haven't lost any body parts from gang violence.
You better check ya friends
Make sure your friends haven't betrayed you or stolen from you.
And see if ya baby momma left with them
Also, make sure your baby's mother didn't leave with them.
Blacks and Mexicans, stop all that bullshit in the pen
A plea for unity between black and Mexican inmates in prison.
Understand that is us verse them
We need to unite against the oppressive prison system and its authorities.
They can give a fuck if we sink or swim
The authorities don't care if we fail or succeed.
They give us guns and drugs
The authorities provide us with firearms and drugs to fuel violence and addiction.
Then wonder why in the fuck we thugs
And they question why we're seen as violent criminals.
I got to show my ass
I have to prove myself and be tough to survive in this environment.
To thank these motherfuckers for my past
To pay back those who have contributed to my struggles and hardships.
In South Central, Los Angeles, Grandmama smoke cannabis
In South Central, Los Angeles, even grandmothers are smoking marijuana.
Granddaughter wanna dance and shit, her own momma can't stand the bitch
A granddaughter wants to dance, but her mother disapproves of her behavior.
If you fuckin' up, pray to the game lord
If you are struggling in life, turn to the streets and its culture for guidance.
Wanna bust a nut? Pray to the game lord
If you want to have sex, consult the streets and its culture for direction.
Nigga get ya cup, pray to the game lord
Pour yourself a drink and embrace the culture of the streets.
You can throw it up, pray to the game lord
Celebrate and represent the street culture proudly by throwing up gang signs.
I love where I from, hungry ass niggas better get you some
I love my hometown and its culture, but you have to work hard and hustle to succeed here.
Smart ass niggas play dumb
Intelligent people pretend to be ignorant to avoid conflict and violence in the streets.
Y'all can't fuck with the city I run
No one can compete or compare to the street culture of my city.
If I snap my fingers, better curl up just like a fetus
If I snap my fingers, you better run or hide before I hurt you.
I hope you know Jesus
You better pray for mercy and forgiveness before facing me.
Because if you don't, boy you will see us
If you're not afraid of me, you will soon face the consequences of your actions.
Where? Up in your house, two double barrels up in your mouth
I will invade your home and threaten you with guns.
You got some explainin' to do
Justify your actions, or else face my wrath.
And don't get the line 'cause we aiming at you
Don't misunderstand or underestimate me, because I'm coming for you.
It's a doggy dog world baby, you a nut and I'ma squirrel baby
The streets are a harsh and brutal place where you are either predator or prey.
Can I get ya in my world baby?
Do you want to join and embrace my street culture and lifestyle?
Can ya grease my Jerry curl baby?
Can you help me take care of my hair and maintain my image?
Did you flip yo' wig
Did you go crazy or lose your composure?
To let Michael Jackson baby sit yo' kids?
Did you make a foolish or dangerous decision, like letting Michael Jackson babysit your children?
That nigga old as hell
Michael Jackson is too old and inappropriate to babysit children.
They need to throw the motherfuckin' momma in jail
The mother who allowed Michael Jackson to babysit her children should be held accountable for her irresponsible actions.
Fuck wit this if you want to, the game lord will punish you
Challenge or disrespect me and the streets, and you will suffer the consequences.
Punish us if we ain't true, to the game like we 'pose to
Hold us accountable if we don't live up to the expectations and standards of the street culture.
I'm the game lord, y'all come now
I am the king and leader of the street culture.
Casanova niggas, got the sun down
Charming and seductive men rule the streets after dark.
Run down every hoe that wanna go shoppin'
Pursue and exploit women who are materialistic and enjoy shopping.
Get they kids, take 'em to the mall, buy 'em somethin'
To appeal to women, buy their children gifts and take them shopping.
Are you a gentleman?
Are you a chivalrous and respectful man?
Big bear wit a nigga named Gentle Ben
I am a big guy, similar to the character Gentle Ben, but still a street guy.
Ladies, he'll be yo' friend
I can befriend and protect women in the streets.
Wait for the cable guy, even let him in
I would even wait for and befriend service providers, like the cable guy, to make connections and loyalty.
Not me, I won't flex or bend
I won't compromise or be swayed from my principles and loyalty to the streets.
Just 'cause a hoe promise me some trim
I won't be fooled or manipulated by women who promise sexual favors.
You better get wit the rest of them
If you're not with me and the street culture, then you're against us.
Cause can't none of y'all even fuck wit Kim
No one can compete or compare to my skills and talent in the streets.
Some niggas was born wit hoe in 'em
Some men are naturally inclined to pursue and exploit women.
I was put on this Earth to spit ism
I was meant to represent and promote the street culture through my music and talent.
And I shall return like it's written
I will always come back and represent the street culture, as if it's my destiny.
And slay all the suckers who be sippin'
I will defeat and conquer all those who oppose or disrespect the street culture, particularly those who drink alcohol.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DE JON LAMONT UNDERDUE, O'SHEA JACKSON, TEAK ALGER UNDERDUE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@dcdanga67
I remember when this album came out! My husband and I played this everyday to the point our adult children remember hearing it 😂
@joeghosn7642
Thank you ice cube for everything for being there when i had nobody since i was a kid
@dustinstephenson7914
I pretty much let cube and dmx raise me ❤
@stevenwinton1566
This is a bonus bomb track
@markpurcell4857
Theres Nobody like 🧊 💯❤🙌
@BoolFalse
good vibes..
@mcrapperthagreat767
This is the dope era shit
@eduardopavolini8337
💎💎💎🔥🔥🔥🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻
@lareawood6095
Pray to the Gamelord.!!
@I4NI_
nice face