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 Nigga Ya Love to Hate
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
That's why I'm sick of gettin' treated like a goddamn stepchild
Fuck a punk cause I ain't him
You gotta deal with the nine double m
The damn scum that you all hate
Just think if niggas decide to retaliate
They try to keep me from running up
I never tell you to get down it's all about coming up
My shit wasn't registered any fucking way
So you better duck away run and hide out
When I'm rolling real slow and the lights out
Cause I'm about to fuck up the program
Shooting out the window of a drop-top Brougham
When I'm shooting let's see who drop
The police the media and suckers that went pop
And motherfuckers that say they too black
Put em overseas they be begging to come back
They say keep em on gangs and drugs
You want to sweep a nigga like me up under the rug
Kicking shit called street knowledge
Why more niggas in the pen than in college?
Now cause of that line I might be your cellmate
That's from the nigga ya love to hate
Fuck you Ice Cube
Yeah, ha-ha, it's the nigga you love to hate
Fuck you Ice Cube
Hey yo baby, your mother warned you about me
It's the nigga you love to hate
Yo, you ain't doing nothing pops
Yo, you ain't doing nothing pops for the brothers
What you got to say for yourself?
You do like how I'm living? Well, fuck you
Once again it's on, the motherfucking psycho
Ice Cube the bitch killa cap peeler
Yo runnin' through the line like Bo
It's no pot to piss in
I put my fist in
Now who do ya love to hate
Cause I talk shit and down the eight-ball
Cause I don't fake you're begging I fall off
The crossover might as well cut them balls off
And get your ass ready for the lynching
The mob is droppin' common sense and
We'll gank in the pen will shank
Any Tom Dick and Hank or get the ass
Fake it ain't about how right or wrong you live
But how long you live
I ain't with the bullshit
I meet cold bitches no hoes
Don't want to sleep so I keep popping No-Doz
And tell the young people what they gotta know
Cause I hate when niggas gotta live low
And if you're locked up I dedicate my style in
From San Quentin to Rykers Island
We got em afraid of the funky shit
I like to clown so pump up the sound
In the jeep make the old ladies say
Oh my god wait it's the nigga ya love to hate
Fuck you Ice Cube
Yeah come on fool
It's the nigga you love to hate
Fuck you Ice Cube
Yeah run up punk
It's the nigga you love to hate
Yo, who the fuck you think you are calling girls bitches?
You ain't all that
That's all I hear, bitch, bitch
I ain't nobody's bitch
A bitch is a
Soul Train done lost they soul
Just call it train cause the bitches look like hoes
I see a lotta others damn
It almost look like the Bandstand
You ask me did I like Arsenio
About as much as the bicentennial
I don't give a fuck about dissing these fools cause they all scared of
the Ice Cube
And what I say what I portray and all that
And ain't even seen the gat
I don't want to see no dancing
I'm sick of that shit listen to the hit
Cause yo if I look and see another brother
On the video tryin' to out-dance each other
I'm a tell T-Bone to pass the bottle
And don't give me that shit about role model
It ain't wise to chastise and preach
Just open the eyes of each
Cause laws are made to be broken up
What niggas need to do is start loc'ing up
And build mold and fold they self into shape
Of the nigga ya love to hate
The song "The Nigga Ya Love To Hate" by Ice Cube is a track packed with anger and frustration. In the lyrics of the song, Ice Cube reveals his dissatisfaction with the way he was treated in the past and the way society treats black people in general. The first few lyrics of the song show Ice Cube's discontent with being treated poorly: "I heard payback's a motherfucking nigga / That's why I'm sick of getting treated like a goddamn stepchild." He then proceeds to talk about his disgust for people who try to deceive him and his inability to connect with society: "Fuck a punk cause I ain't him / You gotta deal with the nine double m / The damn scum that you all hate / Just think if niggas decide to retaliate."
The song then continues to speak about the injustice and inequality that black people face, especially with regards to the police and the media. Ice Cube talks about how he was banned from having an AK and how that would not stop him from taking revenge if he had to. He also mentions how people want to ignore black people's struggles and sweep them under the rug: "You want to sweep a nigga like me up under the rug / Kicking shit called street knowledge / Why more niggas in the pen than in college?" The lyrics of the song end with Ice Cube calling for black people to take matters into their own hands and start their own movement: "What niggas need to do is start loc'ing up / And build mold and fold they self into shape / Of the nigga ya love to hate."
Line by Line Meaning
I heard payback's a motherfucking nigga
I have heard that revenge is a powerful force that cannot be ignored.
That's why I'm sick of gettin' treated like a goddamn stepchild
I am tired of being mistreated and disrespected, like someone's unwanted child.
Fuck a punk cause I ain't him
I am not someone who can be easily bullied. I won't back down.
You gotta deal with the nine double m
You have to face the consequences of my actions, represented by my gun, the 9mm.
The damn scum that you all hate
I am the stereotypical villain that people love to hate and blame for their problems.
Just think if niggas decide to retaliate
Consider what would happen if black people decided to enact revenge against their oppressors.
They try to keep me from running up
They attempt to prevent me from achieving my goals and rising up in society.
I never tell you to get down it's all about coming up
I encourage people to work towards bettering their lives, rather than submitting to authority and oppression.
So what they do go and ban the AK?
What does it matter if they ban assault rifles like the AK-47 when I have already acquired them illegally?
My shit wasn't registered any fucking way
I don't care about following gun laws and regulations.
So you better duck away run and hide out
If you don't want to be caught up in the crossfire, you better find a way to protect yourself and hide.
When I'm rolling real slow and the lights out
When I am driving around slowly in the dark, be cautious.
Cause I'm about to fuck up the program
I am going to disrupt the system that oppresses me and my community.
Shooting out the window of a drop-top Brougham
I will shoot my gun out of the window of my luxury car, causing chaos and destruction.
When I'm shooting let's see who drop
When I fire my gun, let's see who will fall and get hurt, including the police, the media, and those who support oppressive systems.
The police the media and suckers that went pop
The groups that I am targeting with my gun are the police, the media, and the artists who have sold out and lost their integrity.
And motherfuckers that say they too black
I don't respect black people who try to distance themselves from their race and culture.
Put em overseas they be begging to come back
If these black people were to live in a country where they are not the majority, they would yearn to come back to their home country.
They say keep em on gangs and drugs
The oppressors want to keep black people trapped in cycles of violence and addiction to maintain their power and control.
You want to sweep a nigga like me up under the rug
You want to ignore me and my struggles, as if I am insignificant and can be easily discarded.
Kicking shit called street knowledge
I am sharing my experiences and wisdom gained from growing up in impoverished and dangerous neighborhoods.
Why more niggas in the pen than in college?
Why do more black men end up in prison than graduating from college, due to a lack of opportunities and systemic racism?
Now cause of that line I might be your cellmate
Because of my controversial and rebellious lyrics, I may end up in prison with those who criticize me.
Fuck you Ice Cube
Hatred and animosity towards me only fuels my passion for creating controversial and provocative art.
Hey yo baby, your mother warned you about me
My reputation as a dangerous and rebellious figure precedes me, even to those who don't know me personally.
Once again it's on, the motherfucking psycho
I am once again presenting myself as a shocking and unpredictable individual.
Ice Cube the bitch killa cap peeler
I am known for my violent and aggressive persona in my music.
Yo runnin' through the line like Bo
I am running through my opponents like the famous American football player Bo Jackson.
It's no pot to piss in
I come from a background of extreme poverty and lack of resources.
I put my fist in
I am not afraid to resort to violence to defend myself and my community.
Cause I talk shit and down the eight-ball
I am not afraid to speak my mind, even if it means criticizing those in power or authority.
The crossover might as well cut them balls off
I am making a basketball reference to say that those who attempt to copy my style or persona are emasculating themselves and losing their credibility.
And get your ass ready for the lynching
I am warning those who oppose me or my message that they may face serious consequences, possibly including violence or even death.
The mob is droppin' common sense and
My community is starting to realize that they need to band together and use their collective power to fight back against oppression and inequality.
We'll gank in the pen will shank
We will unite even in prison and use violence if necessary to survive and fight back.
Any Tom Dick and Hank or get the ass
Anyone who crosses us or tries to oppress us will face serious consequences, including violence or punishment.
Fake it ain't about how right or wrong you live
Society is not based on morality or justice, but on power and control.
But how long you live
The most important thing is to survive and not become a victim of violence or oppression.
I ain't with the bullshit
I am not interested in playing games or following empty rhetoric. I mean what I say and I say what I mean.
I meet cold bitches no hoes
I encounter many heartless and unfeeling women, but I do not degrade or disrespect them by calling them 'hoes.'
Don't want to sleep so I keep popping No-Doz
I am so driven and passionate about my music and message that I don't want to waste any time or miss a moment of my life.
And tell the young people what they gotta know
I feel a responsibility to teach and guide the younger generation on the realities of life and the importance of standing up for themselves and their community.
Cause I hate when niggas gotta live low
I despise the fact that so many black people have to live in poverty and struggle to get by, while others live in luxury and wealth.
And if you're locked up I dedicate my style in
If you are incarcerated, I hope my music and message can offer you some comfort and inspiration, and give you the strength to keep fighting.
From San Quentin to Rykers Island
I am acknowledging and paying respect to those who have been to prison and have still managed to make something of themselves and contribute to society.
We got em afraid of the funky shit
Those in power are afraid of the subversive and rebellious nature of my music.
I like to clown so pump up the sound
I enjoy having fun and being entertaining, so turn up my music and let's party.
In the jeep make the old ladies say
When I play my music in my car, even older and more conservative people can't help but dance and enjoy themselves.
Oh my god wait it's the nigga ya love to hate
Even though many people consider me a controversial and polarizing figure, they still can't resist my music and my message.
Lyrics Β© BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Eric Sadler, O'shea Jackson, George Jr Clinton, Garry Shider, David Spradley, Steve Arrington, Buddy L Hank, Charles Carter, Roger Parker
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@zzzzoom6387
I never tell you to get down it's all about COMING UP
ππΎββοΈWORD
To those who say they to Black throw em overseas and they'll be begging to come back...
ππΎββοΈThis aged very well with all this killing todayπ
Love each other daily and stop Hating because it only takes one day for somebody to wake up feeling like these lyrics out of frustration...Keep God First and Block the wickedβ¨
Happy Friday π¦
@garrettwilson2626
I like how back in the 90s, cube was just like "fuck everybody"
@Jm-ek8th
ππ
@-roejogan-
@Truth but how long do i have to wait before i can leave the house again? im going, im hurryingg omg omg
@shandajohnson8825
Lol
@derekminns2332
Exactly
@LITTLE1994
Well, keep in mind, when he made this, he just left NWA.
@damonwashington7205
Greatest Ice Cube Track Ever. No Debating.
@caseywalker1714
That's tuff. My summer Vacation is crazy
@damonwashington7205
@@caseywalker1714 My Summer Vacation was dope no question!
@JAMESJOHNSON-oo5fw
"When will they shoot?" Classic too.