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.
What They Hittin Foe
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Niggas think I'm soft cause now I'm in the rap game
And I don't hang out as much
Bang out dope cuts
Standing on stage and I'm grabbing my nuts
But when it comes to getting in a circle
I'm hitting sevens turning broke niggas purple
Looking for Little Joe and the dumb nigga scream and choke
Now which of ya want to fade the twenty?
I'm turnin your fat pockets skinny
Ah yeah I'm shaking the ivory
And boom it's like they die for me
Fool you can get loud, get mad, hit the joint
But don't forget my point
There it is yo
I put my Nike on the bet so it won't slide
Money gone cause I'm never hitting deuce-five
I'm never hitting four-trey no way
You want to leave but come on hoe stay
Nigga see but that'll work
Poppa needs brand-new shoes and a sweatshirt
Fool you can't even fuck with that
And now that I'm winning I gots to get my gat
Cause I see your homies starting to look
And broke motherfuckers they make the best crooks
And I'm feeling like a baller
Bucking fools now the circles getting smaller
Now you want to go and scheme
Punk niggas like you just love to triple-team
So I pick up my money and start walking
Cause now I let the gat start talking
Now since ya'll lost you want to go out like a sucker
Take that motherfucker
The lyrics to Ice Cube's song "What They Hittin Foe?" is a vivid portrayal of a crap game gone wrong. Ice Cube uses his rap persona to describe his transformation from a regular guy hanging out with friends and playing craps, to a full-fledged rapper. He talks about how his newfound success has changed his life, and how he is viewed by his peers. Ice Cube acknowledges that people consider him soft because he is a rapper now, but he shows that he is still the same guy deep down.
Ice Cube goes on to describe his actions in the crap game and how he dominates, outsmarting his opponents by hitting sevens and taking their money. He also warns his opponents not to mess with him or they will face the consequences. The song takes a more serious turn when Ice Cube describes his use of a gun to defend himself when his opponents try to attack him. The song ends with Ice Cube walking away victorious, having won the game and proved that he is not to be messed with.
Overall, "What They Hittin Foe?" is a powerful representation of Ice Cube's street smarts and ability to navigate tough situations. He shows that he is still connected to his roots, even though he has achieved great success as a rapper, and he will not hesitate to defend himself if necessary.
Line by Line Meaning
Fucking around in a crap game
I am gambling in a low-stakes game.
Niggas think I'm soft cause now I'm in the rap game
People underestimate me because I'm a rapper now.
And I don't hang out as much
I don't spend as much time as I used to with my friends.
Bang out dope cuts
I create amazing music.
Standing on stage and I'm grabbing my nuts
I perform with confidence and swagger.
But when it comes to getting in a circle
But when it comes to gambling with a group,
I'm hitting sevens turning broke niggas purple
I'm winning a lot of money and making my opponents angry.
Looking for Little Joe and the dumb nigga scream and choke
I am searching for someone named Little Joe and someone else is frightened.
When deuce deuce hit the floor yo
When a small gun falls to the ground.
Now which of ya want to fade the twenty?
Who wants to gamble and possibly lose $20?
I'm turnin your fat pockets skinny
I am winning so much money that my opponents are losing a lot.
Ah yeah I'm shaking the ivory
I am rolling dice.
And boom it's like they die for me
I am winning a lot and my opponents are desperate.
Fool you can get loud, get mad, hit the joint
No matter how angry you get, it won't change your losing situation.
But don't forget my point
Don't forget that I am winning and you are losing.
There it is yo
That's the way it is.
I put my Nike on the bet so it won't slide
I am placing my sneaker on the bet so it won't move.
Money gone cause I'm never hitting deuce-five
I'm not winning with this combination of dice.
I'm never hitting four-trey no way
I'm not winning with this combination of dice.
You want to leave but come on hoe stay
You want to quit, but don't leave yet.
Nigga see but that'll work
That will be fine.
Poppa needs brand-new shoes and a sweatshirt
I need money to buy new clothes.
Fool you can't even fuck with that
You aren't even close to my level.
And now that I'm winning I gots to get my gat
Now that I have money, I need to carry my gun for protection.
Cause I see your homies starting to look
I see your friends observing the game.
And broke motherfuckers they make the best crooks
Poor people sometimes steal things.
And I'm feeling like a baller
I feel wealthy and successful.
Bucking fools now the circles getting smaller
I am winning and my opponents are dropping out.
Now you want to go and scheme
Now you want to cheat.
Punk niggas like you just love to triple-team
Cowardly people like you enjoy ganging up on others.
So I pick up my money and start walking
I'm taking my winnings and leaving.
Cause now I let the gat start talking
Now I have to use my gun to protect myself.
Now since ya'll lost you want to go out like a sucker
Now that you've lost, you want to exit the game without dignity.
Take that motherfucker
You deserve the loss and consequences of cheating.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, BMG Rights Management
Written by: ALAN EDWARD GORRIE, O'SHEA JACKSON, WELDON JOHNATHAN JR. IRVINE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Rajkumar
WHAT THEY HITTIN’ FOE? LYRICS
[Verse: Ice Cube]
Fucking around in a crap game
Niggas think I'm soft cause now I'm in the rap game
And I don't hang out as much, bang out dope cuts
Standing on stage and I'm grabbing my nuts
But when it comes to getting in a circle
I'm hitting sevens turning broke niggas purple
Looking for Little Joe and the dumb nigga scream and choke
When deuce-deuce hit the floor yo
Now which of ya wanna fade the twenty?
I'm turnin your fat pockets skinny
Ah yeah I'm shaking the ivory
And boom it's like they die for me
Fool you can get loud, get mad, hit the joint
But don't forget my point
There it is yo
I put my Nike on the bet so it won't slide
Money gone cause I'm never hitting deuce-five
I'm never hitting four-trey no way
You wanna leave but come on ho stay
Nigga fever that’ll work
Poppa needs brand-new shoes and a sweatshirt
Fool you can't even fuck with that
And now that I'm winning I gots to get my gat
Cause I see your homies starting to look
And broke motherfuckers they make the best crooks
And I'm feeling like a baller
Bucking fools now the circles getting smaller
Now you wanna go and scheme
Punk niggas like you just love to triple-team
So I pick up my money and start walking
Cause now I let the gat start talking
Now since ya'll lost you wanna go out like a sucker
Take that motherfuckers
Jamie Kitchens
That album is perfection.
dineroisheem
omm
Sheperd Johnson
Absolutely 💥💥💥👍🏽
Argee Ars
Yep
Kaleb Portes
been listening to all the songs and they are pretty good
hip hop
True G
Andrew Flood
I LOVE THIS FREAKING SONG !!!
Steven Pleasant
Me to , its in my head until this day, ask my old girlfriend lol
OJ’s Bloody Glove
Only Ice Cube could make a game of dice sound so funky. Great story telling right here.
R . O
This song is 1.24 minutes and is harder than any mumble garbage.