O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, … Read Full Bio ↴O'Shea Jackson Sr. (born June 15, 1969), known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the seminal rap group N.W.A (Niggaz Wit Attitudes). After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he began both a successful solo music career and an acting career which included roles in films such as Boyz n the Hood (1991), Friday (1995), for which he also co-wrote the screenplay, and Barbershop (2002). Additionally, he has served as one of the producers of the Showtime television series Barbershop and the TBS series Are We There Yet?, both of which are based upon films in which he portrayed the main character.
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.
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.
Wicked Wayz
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
That's right, nigga, Southwest Connection, straight up
Servin' more than peanuts, bitch
Niggas tryin' to stay rich
How many ways can a killer get paid?
How many niggas want a gansta boogie?
I see the junkie in your eyes
What do you see me when you see me?
A G in disguise
Been hypnotized since '85 with gansta shit
All you niggas get live and represent my click
Got bits and pieces on my mind, comin' together like lettuce
Dear God protect us 'cause we're mobbin' like 'GoodFellas'
Alias Carleone, maybe the war is on
Prone to let my daughter live rich before she's grown
If I murdered Capone, would you consider me a villain?
Chillin' with millionaires, ex-killers and set-trippers
My murderous complex begin to hit 'cha
Strip you worse than the New Jersey drive niggas
'Cause I'm in a rush to bust straps like Mack-10's
When I'm strapped in a '95 Impala
Breakin' like Vegas for my dollar
While I'm comin' like a hundred miles and gunnin'
Who gonna test the Southwest Connect
When it ain't shit that you possess?
Yes, we got the endo, splurgin' in Benzo's
Turnin' virgins to nymphos, look what 'cha in fo'
A G that's gonna let his khakis sag
Mr. Mike and Ice Cube, french braids and rags, byatch
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
I treat bitches like puppies, I got a plate full of guppies
Appropriate dish for the big fish, niggas rich
They have my straps, women with Gaps
Now, they wanna sit in my laps and listen to raps
But no, heard a nigga' tight named Mr. Mike
Had to catch a flight, it's only right
Stepped off the plane, Mean Green and Tony Draper
Killa was the caper, let's make some paper
See we can't get enough of this gansta shit
Sick as leukemia for weed in my gansta click
Let's take riches, witness two niggas dome in the killa' zone
Bring your killa chrome 'cause we headed to the Terrordome
When niggas never make it home
As long as you got your front I got your back, it's on like that
And like this, let the weed blow 'cause all you G's know
Who got the wickedest flow, the criminiminals
Now how many wicked wayz can a killa get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a nigga get pay
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
Say what? Niggas wanna short my cuts
Say what? Niggas wanna check my nuts
How you sound? Gangstas make the world go 'round
Guppies bow down, I'm with some killas from H-town
Chase his ass down to Atlanta, GA
Find out where he stay, locate my gate
Catch him in the hall, make his ass call
And then I want y'all to kill cousins and all
They won't believe all the heat I bring from Palm Springs
Niggas in line to catch the ring of the dyin'
Keepin' it calm, so talk slow
'Cause you'll never know when I'm ready to blow
I'm a pro of the lifestyle of the Bloods and Crips
Make a lotta cookies filled with chocolate chips
The Westside has always been down with the South
And suave mother fuckin' house
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
Servin' more than peanuts, bitch
Niggas tryin' to stay rich
How many ways can a killer get paid?
How many niggas want a gansta boogie?
I see the junkie in your eyes
What do you see me when you see me?
Been hypnotized since '85 with gansta shit
All you niggas get live and represent my click
Got bits and pieces on my mind, comin' together like lettuce
Dear God protect us 'cause we're mobbin' like 'GoodFellas'
Alias Carleone, maybe the war is on
Prone to let my daughter live rich before she's grown
If I murdered Capone, would you consider me a villain?
Chillin' with millionaires, ex-killers and set-trippers
My murderous complex begin to hit 'cha
Strip you worse than the New Jersey drive niggas
'Cause I'm in a rush to bust straps like Mack-10's
When I'm strapped in a '95 Impala
Breakin' like Vegas for my dollar
While I'm comin' like a hundred miles and gunnin'
Who gonna test the Southwest Connect
When it ain't shit that you possess?
Yes, we got the endo, splurgin' in Benzo's
Turnin' virgins to nymphos, look what 'cha in fo'
A G that's gonna let his khakis sag
Mr. Mike and Ice Cube, french braids and rags, byatch
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
I treat bitches like puppies, I got a plate full of guppies
Appropriate dish for the big fish, niggas rich
They have my straps, women with Gaps
Now, they wanna sit in my laps and listen to raps
But no, heard a nigga' tight named Mr. Mike
Had to catch a flight, it's only right
Stepped off the plane, Mean Green and Tony Draper
Killa was the caper, let's make some paper
See we can't get enough of this gansta shit
Sick as leukemia for weed in my gansta click
Let's take riches, witness two niggas dome in the killa' zone
Bring your killa chrome 'cause we headed to the Terrordome
When niggas never make it home
As long as you got your front I got your back, it's on like that
And like this, let the weed blow 'cause all you G's know
Who got the wickedest flow, the criminiminals
Now how many wicked wayz can a killa get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a nigga get pay
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
Say what? Niggas wanna short my cuts
Say what? Niggas wanna check my nuts
How you sound? Gangstas make the world go 'round
Guppies bow down, I'm with some killas from H-town
Chase his ass down to Atlanta, GA
Find out where he stay, locate my gate
Catch him in the hall, make his ass call
And then I want y'all to kill cousins and all
They won't believe all the heat I bring from Palm Springs
Niggas in line to catch the ring of the dyin'
Keepin' it calm, so talk slow
'Cause you'll never know when I'm ready to blow
I'm a pro of the lifestyle of the Bloods and Crips
Make a lotta cookies filled with chocolate chips
The Westside has always been down with the South
And suave mother fuckin' house
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
How many wicked wayz can a gansta get his pays
When he's trapped in a maze?
I represent the phrase that say 'Crime pays'
Bitches, can we fuck? Niggas, can we blaze?
In the song "Wicked Wayz" by Ice Cube, the lyrics delve into the gritty world of gangsta life and the struggles faced by individuals trying to make a living through illegal activities. Ice Cube opens the song by proudly proclaiming his affiliation with the Southwest Connection and asserts that they are more than just small-time players. He questions the various ways a killer can make money, highlighting the harsh reality of life in the streets.
Ice Cube reflects on his own transformation into a gangsta figure since the 80s and the constant need to remain vigilant and disguised in the face of danger. He references his influences and connections in the criminal underworld, likening his crew to characters from the movie "GoodFellas" and emphasizing the importance of protection from a higher power.
The lyrics delve into the violent and aggressive nature of the gangsta lifestyle, with Ice Cube portraying himself as a ruthless figure willing to do whatever it takes to survive and thrive in a world ruled by crime. He boasts about his ability to strip others of their possessions and the extreme measures he will take to protect his own interests.
Ice Cube also touches on the themes of loyalty, betrayal, and revenge within his criminal enterprise. He illustrates the ruthless nature of gangsta culture, where alliances are tested, enemies are targeted, and violence is a constant presence. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of a dangerous world where only the strong and cunning can survive.
Overall, "Wicked Wayz" is a raw and unapologetic portrayal of the gangsta lifestyle, showcasing the struggles, dangers, and twisted morality that come with living on the fringes of society. Ice Cube's lyrics offer a glimpse into a world of crime, power, and survival, where individuals must navigate a treacherous maze of deception and violence to secure their place in the criminal hierarchy.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: O'SHEA JACKSON, TRISTAN G. JONES, MIKE WALLS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
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Janice Powers
Still banger in 19 Mr. Mike ft Cube can't ask for any more Str8 fire
Andrew Flood
GREAT SONG HERE !!!
Rypac Dogg
this music is like hitting death row records
john davis
Mr Mike is the shit
jbaccalo
93.5 kday los angeles they need play this shit
KENNETH RIVERA
mann that boy mr mike is a beast wuts craccn wit em