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 You 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 limb
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
yyou wanna 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
Break
yeah, ha-ha, it's the nigga you love to hate
ay yo baby, your mother warned you about me
it's the nigga you love to hate
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 wanna 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
Break
yeah come on fool
it's the nigga you love to hate
yeah run up punk
it's the nigga you love to hate
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 wanna 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 theyself into shape
of the nigga ya love to hate
In Ice Cube's song The Nigga You Love To Hate, Cube is expressing his frustration with the way he and other Black men are treated by society. He begins by saying that he has heard that payback is a "motherfucking nigga," suggesting that there will be consequences for the mistreatment of Black people. He then goes on to say that he's tired of being treated like a "goddamn stepchild" and that he is not a punk. He talks about carrying a gun and how, if Black people decided to retaliate, it would not be pleasant for their oppressors.
Cube also talks about the ban on assault rifles and how he never registered his, so it doesn't matter. He ends with a criticism of the education system and how there are more Black men in prison than in college. He also suggests that if you criticize him for his street knowledge, you might end up in a cell with him. Throughout the song, Cube is unapologetic about his anger and frustration, refusing to back down or soften his message.
Line by Line Meaning
I heard payback's a motherfucking nigga
I've heard that revenge is a ruthless person
that's why i'm sick of gettin treated like a goddamn stepchild
I'm tired of being treated badly
fuck a punk cause i ain't him
I don't care about weak individuals
you gotta deal with the nine double limb
You have to face my gun, the 9mm
the damn scum that you all hate
I'm the despicable person who everyone hates
just think if niggas decide to retaliate
Imagine if black people decided to strike back
they try to keep me from running up
They try to prevent me from rising in success
i never tell you to get down it's all about coming up
I encourage you to rise up, not surrender
so what they do go and ban the ak?
Why did they ban the AK-47?
my shit wasn't registered any fucking way
My gun wasn't registered anyway
so you better duck away run and hide out
You should take cover and hide from me
when i'm rolling real slow and the lights out
When I drive slowly with the lights off
cause i'm about to fuck up the program
I'm going to ruin everything
shooting out the window of a drop-top brougham
I'm shooting out of the car's window
when i'm shooting let's see who drop
Wanna see who I'll shoot down
the police the media and suckers that went pop
I'll shoot the police, the media, and those who sold out
and motherfuckers that say they too black
Also those who claim to be too black
put em overseas they be begging to come back
If you sent them overseas, they would beg to return
they say keep em on gangs and drugs
They say to keep black people involved with gangs and drugs
yyou wanna sweep a nigga like me up under the rug
They want to forget about someone like me
kicking shit called street knowledge
Sharing my experience and wisdom gained from the streets
why more niggas in the pen than in college?
Why are there more black men in prison than in college?
now cause of that line i might be your cellmate
Because of that statement, I could end up in jail with you
that's from the nigga ya love to hate
That's what the guy you love to hate said
it's the nigga you love to hate
This is the guy you love to hate
ay yo baby, your mother warned you about me
Your mother warned you about someone like me
you do like how i'm living? well, fuck you
If you don't like how I live, then screw you
Once again it's on, the motherfucking psycho
Once again, the crazy motherfucker is back
ice cube the bitch killa cap peeler
Ice Cube, the one who kills bitches and wears caps
yo runnin through the line like bo
I'm running through like Bo Jackson, unstoppable
it's no pot to piss in
I have nothing to lose
i put my fist in
I'll fight anyone who challenges me
now who do ya love to hate
Who do you hate the most?
cause i talk shit and down the eight-ball
Because I talk trash and criticize the establishment
cause i don't fake you're begging i fall off
I won't pretend, even if it means I'll lose money
the crossover might as well cut them balls off
It's better to give up than to try and fail miserably
and get your ass ready for the lynching
Prepare yourself for a harsh punishment
the mob is droppin common sense and
The group of people is speaking the obvious truth
we'll gank in the pen will shank
We'll fight and stab each other in prison
any tom dick and hank or get the ass
Anyone can get hurt
fake it ain't about how right or wrong you live
It's not about being good or bad
but how long you live
It's about staying alive
i ain't with the bullshit
I'm not playing games
i meet cold bitches no hoes
I meet unfriendly women, not prostitutes
don't wanna sleep so i keep popping no-doz
I don't want to sleep so I take No-Doz pills
and tell the young people what they gotta know
I educate young people about the harsh reality
cause i hate when niggas gotta live low
Because I don't want to see black people living in poverty
and if you're locked up i dedicate my style in
If you're in jail, I dedicate my music to you
from san quentin to rykers island
From San Quentin Prison to Rikers Island Jail
we got em afraid of the funky shit
We got them scared of our music
i like to clown so pump up the sound
I like to joke around, so turn up the volume
in the jeep make the old ladies say
In the car, make the old ladies say
oh my god wait it's the nigga ya love to hate
Oh my god, wait, it's the guy you love to hate
yeah come on fool
Yeah, come on, fool
it's the nigga you love to hate
This is the guy you love to hate
yeah run up punk
Yeah, come on, punk
a bitch is a...
A female dog is a...
Soul train done lost they soul
Soul Train has lost its soul
just call it train cause the bitches look like hoes
Call it Train because the women look like prostitutes
i see a lotta others damn
I see a lot of other things, damn
it almost look like the bandstand
It almost looks like the old TV show, Bandstand
you ask me did i like arsenio
You ask me if I liked Arsenio Hall
about as much as the bicentennial
I didn't like him much, like I didn't like the 200th anniversary of America
i don't give a fuck about dissing these fools cause they all scared of
I don't care about criticizing these fools because they're all afraid of
the ice cube
Me, Ice Cube
and what i say what i portray and all that
What I say and what I represent and all that
and ain't even seen the gat
And they haven't even seen my gun
i don't wanna see no dancing
I don't want to see dancing
i'm sick of that shit listen to the hit
I'm tired of that crap, listen to the music
cause yo if i look and see another brother
If I look and see another black man
on the video tryin to out-dance each other
In a music video, trying to out-dance each other
i'm a tell t-bone to pass the bottle
I'll tell T-Bone to pass the liquor bottle
and don't give me that shit about role model
Don't try to justify their behavior as a role model
it ain't wise to chastise and preach
It's not wise to criticize and preach
just open the eyes of each
Just make everyone aware
cause laws are made to be broken up
Laws are meant to be broken
what niggas need to do is start loc-ing up
What we need to do is start organizing and forming local groups
and build mold and fold theyself into shape
Let's shape ourselves into who we want to be
of the nigga ya love to hate
Of the guy you love to hate
Contributed by Alexandra R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@zzzzoom6387
I never tell you to get down it's all about COMING UP
🙋🏾♀️WORD
To those who say they to Black throw em overseas and they'll be begging to come back...
🙋🏾♀️This aged very well with all this killing today😌
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 wicked✨
Happy Friday 🦅
@garrettwilson2626
I like how back in the 90s, cube was just like "fuck everybody"
@Jm-ek8th
😂😂
@-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.