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.
Who's The Mack
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Who's the mack? is it some brother in a big hat
Thinking he can get any bitch with a good rap?
Rolling in a fucked up Lincoln
Leaning to the side So it looks like he's sinking
Into that leopard interior
This nigga thinks every girl's inferior
To his tongue get a dumb bitch sprung
Don't even get a cut of the money
His name is Sonny
And he know the play
And hope to god that he don't find a runaway
That's looking to become a star
He'll have your ass in and out of every car
With every on and Rick, sucking every john's dick
Come short of the money, get your ass kicked
You don't like it but you still call him hunk
Last night the nigga put yo' ass in the trunk
You want to leave but Sonny started talking fast
And it make you want to go and sell more ass
He's getting rich, you his bitch and it's like that
Now ask yourself
Who's the mack?
It is that fool that want to pump the gas
Give you a sad story and you give him cash?
He starts macking and macking and you sucking
Quick to say I'm down on my luck
And you give a dollar or a quarter and he's on his way
Then you see his sorry ass the next day
Are you the one getting played like a sucker?
Or do you say, "Get a job, motherfucker"?
Every day, the story gets better
He's wearing dirty pants and a funky-assed sweater
He claims he wants to get something to eat
But every day you find yourself getting beat
He gets your money and you run across the street don't look both ways
'cause he's in a daze
And almost get his ass hit for the crack
Now ask yourself
Who's the mack?
Is it that nigga in that club asking
Have you ever been in a hot tub?
I know the game so I watch it unfold
When I see the boy pinned to your earlobe
He's talking shit and you crack a smile
When he tell you that he can go buck wild
For a girl like you and make it feel good
You know it's drama but it sound real good
He started dragging and hopefully he can start tagging
The pussy so he can keep bragging
He say, "I'm 'a leave baby, can you go with me?"
The pussy so he can keep bragging
You want to do it but you feeling like a H-O-E
You grab his hand, you leave and it's over
'Cause the nigga ain't nothing but a rover
Ya knew the game and you still ended up on your back
Now ask yourself
Who's the Mack?
Macking is the game and everybody's playing
And as long as you believe what they saying
Consider the a M.A.C.K. and with no delay
They are gonna get all the play
But when it comes to me, save the drama for your momma
It's Ice Cube and you know that I'm a
Mack in my own right
When it comes to rhyme and rap
'cause all I do is kick facts
Unlike Iceberg Slimm
And all of them be claimin' be P.I.M.P.
No, I'm not going out that way
I'm just a straight up N I double G A
Next time you get over on a fool
And you did the shit like real smooth
Thank Ice Cube for giving up the facts
And ask yourself
Who's the Mack?
Straight gangsta Mack
In this song, Ice Cube questions who the true "mack" is - the player who thinks he can get any woman with his words and car, or the person who tricks others into giving him money or sex. The first verse describes Sonny, a pimp who drives a beat-up Lincoln with a leopard interior and preys on vulnerable women by sweet-talking them with his "good rap." He doesn't give them a fair cut of the money they earn and will resort to violence if they don't comply. The second verse is about a beggar who asks for money with a sob story only to spend it on drugs or alcohol. People keep falling for his act, even though they see him wearing the same dirty clothes every day. Finally, the third verse talks about a guy at a club who tries to charm women by promising them a good time but really just wants to sleep with them.
Through each example, Ice Cube wants the listener to ask themselves who the real "mack" is - the manipulative player or the one who falls for their tricks. He also highlights how many people get caught in these types of situations and warns against it.
Line by Line Meaning
Straight gangsta mack
Ice Cube is a mack who is unapologetically gangsta.
Who's the mack? is it some brother in a big hat / Thinking he can get any bitch with a good rap?
Ice Cube questions who really is a mack, referring to men who think they can get any girl with their smooth talk and appearance.
Rolling in a fucked up Lincoln / Leaning to the side So it looks like he's sinking / Into that leopard interior / This nigga thinks every girl's inferior
Ice Cube describes a man in a rundown car with tacky interior who believes he is superior to women.
To his tongue get a dumb bitch sprung / As she's selling more butt / Don't even get a cut of the money / His name is Sonny / And he know the play / And hope to god that he don't find a runaway / That's looking to become a star / He'll have your ass in and out of every car / With every on and Rick, sucking every john's dick / Come short of the money, get your ass kicked
Ice Cube paints a picture of a pimp (Sonny) who manipulates a vulnerable woman into prostitution, keeping all the money for himself, and violently punishing her if she does not meet his expectations.
You don't like it but you still call him hunk / Last night the nigga put yo' ass in the trunk / You want to leave but Sonny started talking fast / And it make you want to go and sell more ass
Ice Cube shows how effective pimps like Sonny are at controlling their victims, making them call him affectionate names and even resort to selling their bodies again despite their discomfort.
He's getting rich, you his bitch and it's like that / Now ask yourself / Who's the mack?
Ice Cube concludes that Sonny is the true mack, getting rich off of manipulating and exploiting women for his own gain.
It is that fool that want to pump the gas / Give you a sad story and you give him cash? / He starts macking and macking and you sucking / Quick to say I'm down on my luck / And you give a dollar or a quarter and he's on his way / Then you see his sorry ass the next day / Are you the one getting played like a sucker? / Or do you say, "Get a job, motherfucker"?
Ice Cube switches focus to the everyday people who manipulate others for money, describing a person who begs for money by giving a sob story and using their charm to extract money from people, leaving them feeling foolish and wondering if they were played or not.
He gets your money and you run across the street don't look both ways / 'cause he's in a daze / And almost get his ass hit for the crack / Now ask yourself / Who's the mack?
Ice Cube emphasizes how these manipulators can even endanger themselves and others in pursuit of their goals, again questioning who the true mack is.
Is it that nigga in that club asking / Have you ever been in a hot tub? / I know the game so I watch it unfold / When I see the boy pinned to your earlobe / He's talking shit and you crack a smile / When he tell you that he can go buck wild / For a girl like you and make it feel good / You know it's drama but it sound real good / He started dragging and hopefully he can start tagging / The pussy so he can keep bragging / He say, "I'm 'a leave baby, can you go with me?"
Ice Cube observes another type of mack, someone who uses cheesy pickup lines in a club to impress women and make them feel desired. He recognizes the drama behind it, but acknowledges that it can be tempting and even exciting for some women.
You want to do it but you feeling like a H-O-E / You grab his hand, you leave and it's over / 'Cause the nigga ain't nothing but a rover / Ya knew the game and you still ended up on your back / Now ask yourself / Who's the Mack?
Ice Cube points out the compromise that women may make to enjoy the moment with a mack, but ends with asking who the true mack is, as they always seem to come out ahead despite the situation.
Macking is the game and everybody's playing / And as long as you believe what they saying / Consider the a M.A.C.K. and with no delay / They are gonna get all the play / But when it comes to me, save the drama for your momma / It's Ice Cube and you know that I'm a / Mack in my own right / When it comes to rhyme and rap / 'cause all I do is kick facts
Ice Cube acknowledges that macking is a prevalent aspect of society that many are drawn to, but still asserts his own status as a mack in the rap game, not relying on manipulation but rather on his skills as a lyricist.
Unlike Iceberg Slimm / And all of them be claimin' be P.I.M.P. / No, I'm not going out that way / I'm just a straight up N I double G A
Ice Cube distinguishes himself from famous pimps like Iceberg Slimm who glamorize macking and pimping, stating that he will not follow those footsteps and instead will maintain his own approach to the game.
Next time you get over on a fool / And you did the shit like real smooth / Thank Ice Cube for giving up the facts / And ask yourself / Who's the Mack?
Ice Cube ends the song by reminding listeners that although they may be good at manipulating others, there is always someone who is better at it, and encourages them to reflect on who the true mack is.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: JAMES BROWN, FRED WESLEY, ST. CLAIR PINCKNEY, JR., O'SHEA JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@shinagloe2642
This is my list of old school Rappers
Snoop Dogg
Schoolly-D
Ice Cube
Mc Serch
Eminem
Ice-T
MCA
Run
Eazy-E
Dr Dre
Mc Eiht
Erick Sermon
Slick Rick
Fresh Kid Ice
Big Boi
Andre 3000
Kilo-G
D.O.C.
Shaggy 2 Dope
Kid
LL COOL J
Eric B
@thababythug2952
Eazy-E: GANGSTA
ICE CUBE: FLOW
DR DRE: FUNK
@trae9216
Actually AboveTheLaw an Kokane are the originators of GFunk. When Dre left he just made it popular
@ililililililililililililil5649
DR DRE ES EL PAPÀ
@elpaletero123
@ISAACCYT shits wack
@f19.27
2pac : PRAWDA
@prof.rockwell2043
ICE CUBE: LYRICS
REN: FLOW
@chaelmavik
I been sleeping on Ice Cube. Now I understand why people say he's one of the best rappers of all time
@shaunnymac352
+hu man look at your bank statement then ice cubes< then comeback and see who's gay.
@DubbzvsPaul
Plenty of polls have him at top 10 and I agree
@shaunnymac352
hu man who said i was black lol xD and MY statement was meant for and immature adult.
GAY!