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.
When Will They Shoot
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
"Stalkin', walkin' in my big black boots"
God damn, another fuckin' payback with a twist
The motherfuckers shot but the punks missed
Ice Cube is outgunned, what is the outcome?
Will they do me like Malcolm?
'Cause I bust styles, new styles
But I never run, never will
Deal with the devil with my motherfuckin' steel, boom!
Media tried to do me
But I was a boy in the hood before the movie, yeah
Call me nigga, bigot, and a spook
But you the one that voted for Duke, motherfucker
White man is somethin' I tried to study
But I got my hands bloody, yeah
They said I could sing like a jaybird
But nigga, don't say the J-word
I thought they was buggin'
'Cause to us, Uncle Sam is Hitler without an oven
Burnin' our black skin
Buy my neighborhood, then push the crack in
Doin' us wrong from the first day
And don't understand why a nigga got an AK
Callin' me an African-American
Like everything is fair again, shit
Devil, you got to get the shit right
I'm black, blacker than a trillion midnights
"Don't Believe The Hype" was said in '88 by the great Chuck D
Now they're tryin' to fuck me!
"With no Vaseline
Just a match and a little bit of gasoline" (huh)
It's a great day for genocide (what's that?)
That's the day all the niggas died
They killed JFK in '63
So what the fuck you think they'll do to me?
But I'm the OG and I bust back (boom, boom!)
Bust back (boom, boom!), peel a cap (boom, boom!)
Gimme room in the fire of the sun
Here the Mack come, here the Black come, watch Jack run!
Motherfuckers can't gank me
Fuck a devil, fuck a rebel, and a Yankee
Overrun and punk the Presidency
If it means that I'm down with O.P.P., yeah!
I met Farrakhan and had dinner
Now you ask if I'm a Five Percenter? Well
No, but I go where the brothers go
Down with Compton Mosque, Number 54
Made a little dough, still got a sister on my elbow
Did Ice Cube sell out? You say, "Hell no!"
A black woman is my manager, not in the kitchen
So could you please stop bitchin'?
"Stalkin', walkin' in my big black boots"
Yeah, yeah
"But when will they shoot?"
"Stalkin', walkin' in my big black boots"
Yeah, yeah
"But when will they shoot?"
You missed, and didn't hit Da Lench Mob, either
Guerrillas in tha Mist without jungle fever
But I got the fever for the flavor of a cracker, not a Pringle
Bust the single, here's my new jingle
"Stalkin', walkin' in my big black boots"
The KKK has got three-piece suits
Usin' niggas like turkey shoots
My motto is, "Treat 'em like a prostitute!"
Now if I say no violence, devil, you won't respect mine
Fuck the dumb shit and get my TEC-9 (yeah)
And if they approach us
I, I I bury those cockroaches
And if you can't deal with my Kill at Will
Here's a new gift to get, try my Death Certificate
AmeriKKKa's Most, America's burnt, it's like toast
Like Jordan, I'm goin' coast to coast
Dribblin' the funk, here comes the nigga with the motherfuckin' monster dunk
Get off me, punk!
"Jordan"
"Watch Jordan!
Ayo, Cube, watch Jordan"
"Yes!"
You better eat your Wheaties"
"Stalkin', walkin' in my big black boots"
Yeah, yeah
"But when will they shoot?"
"Stalkin', walkin' in my big black boots"
Yeah, yeah
"But when will they shoot?"
Daryl Gates got the studio surrounded
'Cause he don't like the niggas that I'm down with
Motherfucker wanna do us
'Cause I like Nat, Huey, Malcolm, and Louis
Most got done by a black man's bullet
Give a trigger to a nigga and watch him pull it
Negro assassin
I'ma dig a ditch, bitch, and throw yo' ass in
When they shoot, no, it won't be a cracker
They use somebody much blacker
What I do? I called up the Geto Boy crew
'Cause my mind's playin' tricks on me, too
Never died, surround my crib
And FOI makin' sure nobody creep when I sleep
Keep a nine millimeter in my Jeep (What?)
Peep when I roll, I gots to roll deep
Ain't goin' out cheap
Met the MADD Circle on Cypress Hill 'cause it's so steep
They'll never get me, they'll never hit me
Motherfuck that shit, J-Dee
Now I'm relaxed
Grab the St. Ides brew so I can max
Sittin' by the window 'cause it's so fuckin' hot
And then I heard a shot (boom!)
"When Will They Shoot" by Ice Cube is a song that talks about race relations in America and how the black community is always targeted by the police and the media. The pun in the title suggests that the song is about police brutality, which is referenced multiple times throughout the song. The lyrics paint a picture of a society where black people are under constant attack, and how they continuously resist the oppression they face.
In the opening lines, Ice Cube talks about how he is constantly being targeted in paybacks, and how he has to defend himself against these attacks. He also speaks about how he stands up to racial profiling and how he refuses to run away from the issues he faces as a black man. In the following verse, he speaks about the injustices that the black community faces, and how they are often blamed for their own suffering.
Furthermore, Ice Cube references several black leaders such as Malcolm X, Louis Farrakhan, Huey Newton, and more in the lyrics. He also talks about the media's biased portrayal of the black community and how they are always depicted as thugs and criminals. This song is a powerful expression of the systemic racism and prejudice that has plagued America for centuries.
Line by Line Meaning
Stalkin', walkin' in my big black boots
I am moving with confidence and power, fully aware of the challenges I face
God damn, another fuckin' payback with a twist
Once again, I am facing retaliation for my actions, but this time there is a surprising element
The motherfuckers shot but the punks missed
My enemies tried to harm me, but they failed to hit their target
Ice Cube is outgunned, what is the outcome?
I am at a disadvantage in terms of weaponry, what will be the result of this situation?
Will they do me like Malcolm?
Am I destined to face the same fate as Malcolm X?
'Cause I bust styles, new styles
I consistently innovate and excel in my artistic expression
Standin' strong, while others run a hundred miles
While others flee from challenges, I remain steadfast and resilient
But I never run, never will
I will never back down or retreat
Deal with the devil with my motherfuckin' steel, boom!
I confront my adversaries head-on, armed with my weapon
Media tried to do me
The media attempted to manipulate or harm my reputation
But I was a boy in the hood before the movie, yeah
I experienced hardships and struggles in my neighborhood long before it became popularized in a film
Call me nigga, bigot, and a spook
They insult and degrade me with racial slurs and derogatory terms
But you the one that voted for Duke, motherfucker
Yet, they are the ones who supported a racist politician, revealing their hypocrisy
White man is somethin' I tried to study
I made an effort to analyze and understand the white man's perspective
But I got my hands bloody, yeah
However, I became directly involved in violent or harmful actions
They said I could sing like a jaybird
They claimed I had a beautiful singing voice
But nigga, don't say the J-word
But do not use the racial slur that begins with 'J' to refer to me
I thought they was buggin'
I believed they were acting irrationally or delusionally
'Cause to us, Uncle Sam is Hitler without an oven
From our perspective, the American government symbolizes oppression and brutality
Burnin' our black skin
They metaphorically harm and oppress our black community
Buy my neighborhood, then push the crack in
They gentrify our community and introduce the drug trade
Doin' us wrong from the first day
They have been mistreating and victimizing us since the beginning
And don't understand why a nigga got an AK
They fail to comprehend why someone like me would possess a firearm
Callin' me an African-American
Referring to me as an African-American
Like everything is fair again, shit
As if racial equality has been achieved, but that is far from the truth
Devil, you got to get the shit right
You, the embodiment of evil and oppression, need to acknowledge and correct the injustice
I'm black, blacker than a trillion midnights
I am proud of my black heritage, deeply rooted in my identity
"Don't Believe The Hype" was said in '88 by the great Chuck D
The influential Chuck D warned against falling for false narratives in 1988
Now they're tryin' to fuck me!
Now, they are attempting to undermine me and my message
"With no Vaseline
Without any lubrication or preparation
Just a match and a little bit of gasoline" (huh)
Only a simple tool and a small amount of fuel to cause destruction
It's a great day for genocide (what's that?)
A day that would bring about the extermination of a specific group of people (in this case, black individuals)
That's the day all the niggas died
On that day, all black individuals would face death
They killed JFK in '63
They assassinated President John F. Kennedy in 1963
So what the fuck you think they'll do to me?
Given the history of violence against black leaders, what do you believe they have in store for me?
But I'm the OG and I bust back (boom, boom!)
But I am the original gangster and I retaliate with force
Gimme room in the fire of the sun
Allow me to shine and thrive amidst the intense heat and pressure
Here the Mack come, here the Black come, watch Jack run!
Witness my arrival, the powerful and confident Black man, watch those who oppose me retreat
Motherfuckers can't gank me
They cannot deceive or manipulate me
Fuck a devil, fuck a rebel, and a Yankee
I have no respect or tolerance for those who oppress or disrespect me
Overrun and punk the Presidency
Challenge and undermine the authority and power of the Presidency
If it means that I'm down with O.P.P., yeah!
Even if it implies that I am affiliated with something controversial or perceived as negative
I met Farrakhan and had dinner
I had a personal encounter and shared a meal with Louis Farrakhan, a prominent figure in the black community
Now you ask if I'm a Five Percenter? Well
Now you inquire if I am associated with the Five Percent Nation religious movement
No, but I go where the brothers go
No, I am not a Five Percenter, but I align myself with the beliefs and movements that support the black community
Down with Compton Mosque, Number 54
I am affiliated with and support the Compton Mosque, specifically Number 54
Made a little dough, still got a sister on my elbow
Although I have achieved some financial success, I still remain loyal and committed to my black community
Did Ice Cube sell out? You say, "Hell no!"
Did I compromise my values for financial gain? Absolutely not!
A black woman is my manager, not in the kitchen
A black woman holds a position of power and authority in my career, not confined to traditional gender roles
So could you please stop bitchin'?
So, can you please cease complaining or criticizing?
You missed, and didn't hit Da Lench Mob, either
You failed to harm me or my associated group, Da Lench Mob
Guerrillas in tha Mist without jungle fever
We are warriors in our environment, unaffected by the distractions or desires of those outside our community
But I got the fever for the flavor of a cracker, not a Pringle
However, I am intrigued by the qualities or attributes of a white person, not a generic and artificial representation
Bust the single, here's my new jingle
Release this song as a single, presenting it as my new catchy tune
The KKK has got three-piece suits
The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization, dresses in formal attire to disguise their hate
Usin' niggas like turkey shoots
Exploiting black individuals as easy targets in a cruel and heartless manner
My motto is, "Treat 'em like a prostitute!"
My philosophy is to treat them as objects of exploitation and manipulation, just like prostitutes
Now if I say no violence, devil, you won't respect mine
Even if I express a desire for non-violence, the devilish, oppressive forces will not honor or regard my stance
Fuck the dumb shit and get my TEC-9 (yeah)
Reject pointless arguments or distractions, and instead, equip myself with a TEC-9 firearm
And if they approach us
If they come near us
I, I I bury those cockroaches
I will eliminate and bury those despicable individuals
And if you can't deal with my Kill at Will
If you cannot handle or accept my aggressive and confrontational approach
Here's a new gift to get, try my Death Certificate
I present my new album, 'Death Certificate', as an alternative form of expression
AmeriKKKa's Most, America's burnt, it's like toast
A reference to my albums 'AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted' and 'America's Most Wanted', highlighting the problems and decay within America
Like Jordan, I'm goin' coast to coast
Similar to Michael Jordan's dominance in basketball, I am taking my skills and message across the country
Dribblin' the funk, here comes the nigga with the motherfuckin' monster dunk
I skillfully deliver my powerful and impactful music, just like a basketball player executing a monstrous dunk
Get off me, punk!
Leave me alone, you insignificant person!
Ayo, Cube, watch Jordan
Hey, Cube, observe Michael Jordan's performance
You better eat your Wheaties
You should make sure you are prepared and energized for the challenge ahead
Daryl Gates got the studio surrounded
Daryl Gates, the controversial former police chief, has surrounded the recording studio with officers
'Cause he don't like the niggas that I'm down with
Because he has a disdain for the black individuals I associate myself with
Motherfucker wanna do us
He desires to harm or oppress us
'Cause I like Nat, Huey, Malcolm, and Louis
Because I admire and support historical figures such as Nat Turner, Huey Newton, Malcolm X, and Louis Farrakhan
Most got done by a black man's bullet
Many of these influential individuals were assassinated by individuals within the black community
Give a trigger to a nigga and watch him pull it
If you provide a gun to a black person, they may resort to using it recklessly or violently
Negro assassin
Referring to those individuals within the black community who assassinate or harm prominent figures
I'ma dig a ditch, bitch, and throw yo' ass in
I will dig a grave and violently dispose of your body
When they shoot, no, it won't be a cracker
When they commit an act of violence, it will not be a white person
They use somebody much blacker
They will employ an individual of darker complexion
What I do? I called up the Geto Boy crew
In response, I sought the support and assistance of my fellow Geto Boys members
'Cause my mind's playin' tricks on me, too
Because I am experiencing confusion and paranoia, just like in the Geto Boys' song 'Mind Playin' Tricks on Me'
Never died, surround my crib
I am still alive and kicking, despite the threats and attempts on my life
And FOI makin' sure nobody creep when I sleep
The Fruit of Islam, the security and protection wing of the Nation of Islam, ensures my safety while I rest
Keep a nine millimeter in my Jeep (What?)
I carry a nine millimeter handgun in my vehicle for self-defense
Peep when I roll, I gots to roll deep
When I go out and about, I need to have a large entourage for protection
Ain't goin' out cheap
I will not be taken down or defeated easily
Met the MADD Circle on Cypress Hill 'cause it's so steep
I collaborated with the group MADD Circle on the song 'Cypress Hill' due to the intense nature of the music
They'll never get me, they'll never hit me
They will never successfully capture or harm me
Motherfuck that shit, J-Dee
I express a strong disregard for the situation, addressing J-Dee from Da Lench Mob
Now I'm relaxed
Now that the immediate danger has passed, I feel more at ease
Grab the St. Ides brew so I can max
I reach for a bottle of St. Ides malt liquor to relax and indulge
Sittin' by the window 'cause it's so fuckin' hot
I find relief from the heat by sitting near the window
And then I heard a shot (boom!)
Suddenly, I heard the sound of a gunshot
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: Brian Harold May, O'shea Jackson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
The Sprawl
My favourite hip-hop track ever. This beat could flatten mountains.
Lawrence Chavez
Fo sho
Salayo Brown
I think this iz my favorite,too.
Chris B
Are we speaking literally because I want you to prove it asshat!
Donnie Wynn
His best opener and best opener ever
Kareem Abbas
Damn Sprawl I really like that one!
waters228 91
The most underrated album by Ice Cube. This is just as classic as his first two records.
Greg Campbell
@Sean l Johnson sr No doubt
Sean l Johnson sr
CLASSIC ALBUM
Greg Campbell
This was his best selling album