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.
You Can't Play With My Yo Yo
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
All these girls simple man, who you think fit the category?
It's me, the brand new intelligent black woman Y-O-Y-O
Which is Yo-Yo, but I'm not to be played
Like I was made by matell
But this Yo-Yo is made by woman and male
I rhyme about uprights upliftin the woman
Any time, any rhyme, any flow, and any show
And if you ask my producers that we fly and you know
[Chorus x2]
You can't play with my Yo-Yo
"Don't try to play me out, don't try to play me out"
My name is Yo-Yo, I'm not a ho
I like to flow so swift, it's got to be a gift
So yo, let the beat lift, as I rip and rhyme
And rap and slap all the girls who came to dap
To the fact I get the 8-ball, or the jam
The earrings I wear are called dophins
Check the booty, yo it's kinda soft and
If you touch, you livin in a coffin(word to mother)
I'm in the 90s, your still in the 80s right
I rock the mic, they say I'm not lady like
But I'ma lady, who will pull a stunt though
I kill suckas, and even hit the block
So what you wanna do?
Ya must play it wrong(ay yo)
Cause to me, you simply can't get none
You wetter, then a hotter ho in snow
Tell em Ice Cube,
(Ice Cube)
No, you can't play with my Yo-Yo
Suckas
[Chorus x2]
What's yo name baby?
That's right, my name is Yo-Yo, but know I'm not a dunkin
As I rap, chilly chill bringin the funk and
I steal yo man, as if he was a hawk and
He'll call me baby, yo, or even pumpkin
I may be buttercup, or even
We had dinner, and know we drinkin Cisco
Hit the slow jams, it's gettin cosy
Your home alone, so now you gettin nosy
Your kinda young, so of course you had to call replace
Hang up in my face, it's a sad case
So who ya man dippin the dollars, what
Yup, for puttin lipstick on his collar
At home, he's gotta listen to ya holla
But he'll slap ya, and sock ya, so why bother?
But if you come knockin at my do'(ay yo)
I'll smoke you, tell em Ice
(Ice Cube)
You can't play wit my Yo-Yo, sucka
[Chorus x2]
Fool, 1990 and stand sucka free, yeah
Tell em what's up
Yo, I hope you realize one day
That ya week is Monday threw Sunday
So listen to my Y-O, heres my bio
And next to me, ha, your not fly yo
Ya lack skills to be a woman that's black
Fake hair in the back, plus green contacts
Yo-Yo, is just tryna to stop ya
Because the world ain't a big soap opera
It only takes one punch to drop ya
And then the I.B.W.C. will come mob ya
But no, I'm not livin like that first
Although I pack, a real small gat in my purse(right, right)
But no, it's not to cause corruptions
Just to fight back on the structions
Just thought you wanna know about the Y-O-Y-O
Yo, should I tell em Ice
(Ice Cube)
They know what time it is
[Chorus x2]
Yo-Yo, the brand new intelligent black lady
Stompin to the 90s!
For all y'all suckas
Aye Jinx, I knew they couldn't fade it
You Can't play wit my Yo-Yo
The simple to a methaphor, make someone to yell on
To keep it at a latest while they're yellin, "more, more!"
I am very versatile, changin my ways to diffrent styles
Knowledge is the key, expense is for my backround
Label me as a woman, and sometimes I feel imperior
Follow me on the hands of time, makes no man superior
Should we jam and take the stand, and disback all the
Men who know no more the slang, slang
And thinks wit his ding-a-ling?
I think it's time that we defeat
And stand on our on two feet
If we wanna live wit justice and harmony
How many more rounds must I go
In order to let my people know
Times were hard, things have changed
"Don't try to play me out"
Ladyyy("don't try to play me out")
Yayyy, yay hey("don't try to play me out)
Yay, yay, yay, yay
The lyrics to Ice Cube's song "You Can't Play With My Yo Yo" showcase the talent and strength of female rapper Yo-Yo. The song opens with a conversation between Yo-Yo and her producer, discussing the need for a female rapper who is not just simple but genuinely talented. Yo-Yo then introduces herself as the "brand new intelligent black woman," declaring that she will not be played with nor underestimated. The metaphor of Yo Yo as a toy serves as a warning to anyone who attempts to manipulate or control her. She raps about topics like female empowerment and how women are superior to men in various ways.
Yo-Yo's strength and confidence are evident as she raps verses about her skillful flow, her sex appeal, and her ability to handle anyone and any situation. She also addresses the criticism and sexism she has faced as a female rapper who may not conform to the stereotypes of how a woman should behave or rap. Still, she doesn't let that affect her, and she stands firm in her beliefs and abilities.
The song is a powerful message from Yo-Yo about the strength of a woman who refuses to be played and who demands respect for her talent, skill, and character.
Line by Line Meaning
Yo Jinx man, we gotta find somebody that's down for hers, man
We need someone who truly understands and supports our mission.
It's me, the brand new intelligent black woman Y-O-Y-O
I am an empowered Black woman who is proud of who I am.
I rhyme about uprights upliftin the woman
My music is about empowering and uplifting women.
My name is Yo-Yo, I'm not a ho
I am a woman of substance and should not be objectified.
So yo, let the beat lift, as I rip and rhyme
Let the music move you as I perform with passion and skill.
And rap and slap all the girls who came to dap
I call out fake women who are only pretending to support me.
I'm in the 90s, your still in the 80s right
I am up-to-date and forward-thinking, while you are stuck in the past.
But I'ma lady, who will pull a stunt though
I am a woman who is not afraid to take risks and stand up for myself.
No, you can't play with my Yo-Yo
You cannot take advantage of me or my talents.
I steal yo man, as if he was a hawk and
I am so desirable that even committed men may fall for me.
Your kinda young, so of course you had to call replace
You are immature and insecure, resorting to childlike behavior.
It only takes one punch to drop ya
I am strong and powerful, but I choose not to resort to violence.
Yo-Yo, the brand new intelligent black lady
I am a proud Black woman who speaks my mind.
Don't try to play me out
Do not take advantage of me or underestimate my abilities.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Warner/Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: PHILIP BAILEY, PHILIP JAMES BAILEY, O'SHEA JACKSON, YOLANDA WHITAKER, MAURICE WHITE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@derred723
When Ice Cube bring out a female rapper that was harder than half the dudes in the game. lol. "Stompin' to the 90s."
@goaheadtagmeIknowyoumadbitch
@@mirroredname3389 .....nigga what
@mirroredname3389
@@goaheadtagmeIknowyoumadbitch Is anyone doing this style of hip hop/rap today? Like new music?
@elenagreen1123
@@mirroredname3389 not at all 💯💯
@eugenastewart140
"I think it's time that we defeat / By standing on our on two feet / If we wanna live with justice and harmony /
How many more rounds must I go / in order to let my people know / Times were hard, things have changed..."
This song has so many dope & insightful lyrics, but if I had to choose, its definetely the last verse for me.
@africanbella28
@@eugenastewart140 I definitely agree with you!!! Her lyrics were pretty insightful and dope💕
@williemakeit2346
30 plus years later and still this joint is so damn hard
@chrisleon2841
Just Had a pleasure of sharing the stage with her she is a amazing person
@mattsheezy5469
This was an excellent first single for her, she’s the perfect balance of hardcore rhymes, & femininity, plus she’s beautiful, & an outstanding writer. With Cube’s Co-sign she was unstoppable 💟
@kimberlyangle4487
I looked up her so much. She was smart streets & books, gorgeous, tough af but all woman. Tried to uplift other women. She was real AF.