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 Know How We Do It
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Fool, you know how we do it
West Side
Comin' from the West Side
Nothin' but the West Side
Ain't nothin' goin on but the bomb ass rap song
Just like me on the black and white ivory
Gettin' six on artillery you don't want to see a G
Break yo' ass like dishes
Buster ass tricks sleep with the fishes
Runnin' from Lennox up at Venice
They want to have me in stripes, like Dennis the Menace
But that ain't poppin', ain't no stoppin'
Fo' hoppin, ass droppin', Coupe DeVille
My truth can, ill, fool I got skills
So, back on up 'fore I check that chin
Down as fuck and I'm full off Henn'
You gets no love and I thought you knew it
Fool, you know how we do it
Comin' from the West Side
West Side, comin' from the West Side
Chillin' with the homies, smellin' the bud
Double parked and I'm talkin' to Dub
About who got a plan, who got a plot
Whom got got, and who got shot
'Cause everybody knows that he got the info
Crazy Toones hangin out the window
Fool, I got them bomb-ass tapes
Da Lench Mob, Planet of the Apes
I'm down with Eiht, and Watts Up
Kam and Solo, they got nuts
When Ice Cube write a sentence
I want "The Bomb," just like George Clinton
S-K-D is down to catch a body
Put on Knee Deep, we'll turn out your party
You gets no love and I thought you knew it
Fool, you know how we do it
You know how we do it
Jack B Nimble, and Jack B Quick
If you want to jack me on a lick, 'cause
I'm that fool from South Central
You think you stuck yourself, with a number two pencil
That's how I poke hot lead in yo' ass
With "Mo' Bounce to the Ounce" in the dash
Mash up, Van Ness, headed for the West
Everything is great, slow down for the dip
On a 100 and 8th and keep mashin'
Don't drink and drive to keep the fo' from crashin'
Stashin a glock and I thought you knew it
You know how we do it
Comin' from the West Side, West Side
Nothin' but a West Side
It's hittin' on the West Side
Fool, you know how we do it
Ice Cube's "You Know How We Do It" is a classic West Coast rap song that was released in May 1993. This song is an ode to the gang culture of the West Side and describes the life of a young gangster in Los Angeles. In the chorus, Ice Cube proudly reiterates his allegiance to the West Side of the city from which he hails.
The song kicks off with a verse that boasts about his skill in rhyming and how he can take on anyone with his rap verses. The next verse is a depiction of a night in the life of a gangster where they hang out, talk about their rivals, and smoke weed together. The last verse of the song is a warning to anyone who tries to mess with him. Ice Cube, through his lyrics, warns his rivals that he is not someone to be messed with.
Ice Cube uses a slang-heavy, laidback delivery in this song that is characteristic of West Coast rap. He takes listeners on a journey through his world, depicting the highs and the lows of living in the gang culture.
Line by Line Meaning
Yeah, yeah
Affirming agreement and enthusiasm
Fool, you know how we do it
Addressing someone and stating they are familiar with the way things are done
West Side
Identifying the geographical area the artist is from
Comin' from the West Side
Reiterating the artist's origin location
Nothin' but the West Side
Emphasizing the artist's loyalty to their origin location
Ain't nothin' goin' on but the bomb ass rap song
Describing the current situation as solely involving good rap music
Hittin' all night long
Indicating that the music is playing all night without stopping
Just like me on the black and white ivory
Comparing the artist's performance on the piano to the endless music playing
Gettin' six on artillery you don't want to see a G
Warning others to stay away from the artist's dangerous weapons
Break yo' ass like dishes
Threatening to physically harm someone like breaking dishes
Buster ass tricks sleep with the fishes
Threatening to kill those who try to deceive the artist
Runnin' from Lennox up at Venice
Describing a chase from one area to another
They want to have me in stripes, like Dennis the Menace
Suggesting that others wish to incarcerate the artist, like a comic book character
But that ain't poppin', ain't no stoppin'
Rejecting the idea of being imprisoned and the inability to stop the artist
Fo' hoppin', ass droppin', Coupe DeVille
Describing the artist's flashy car and activities
My truth can, ill, fool I got skills
Asserting confidence in the artist's abilities
So, back on up 'fore I check that chin
Warning someone to back off before being punched in the face
Down as fuck and I'm full off Henn'
Expressing being extremely intoxicated
You gets no love and I thought you knew it
Declaring that the addressee should expect no kindness from the artist
Chillin' with the homies, smellin' the bud
Relaxing with friends while smoking marijuana
Double parked and I'm talkin' to Dub
Stopping the car to talk to another person
About who got a plan, who got a plot
Discussing plans and schemes with others
Whom got got, and who got shot
Asking about who has been robbed or killed
'Cause everybody knows that he got the info
Implying that everyone knows an informant is among them
Crazy Toones hangin' out the window
Describing a person hanging out of a car window
Fool, I got them bomb-ass tapes
Boasting about having excellent music recordings
Da Lench Mob, Planet of the Apes
Naming a rap group and a movie title in one sentence
I'm down with Eiht, and Watts Up
Stating affiliation with another artist and location
Kam and Solo, they got nuts
Referencing other artists and their talents
When Ice Cube write a sentence
Stating that the artist is skilled at writing lyrics
I want 'The Bomb,' just like George Clinton
Expressing desire for the same level of musical success as another artist
S-K-D is down to catch a body
Referring to a gang and their willingness to commit murder
Put on Knee Deep, we'll turn out your party
Suggesting a song to be played to get the party started
Jack B Nimble, and Jack B Quick
Referencing a nursery rhyme character with wordplay
If you want to jack me on a lick, 'cause
Addressing someone who wishes to rob the artist
I'm that fool from South Central
Identifying the artist as being from another geographical location
You think you stuck yourself, with a number two pencil
Mocking an attempted robbery with humor
That's how I poke hot lead in yo' ass
Threatening to shoot the robber
With 'Mo' Bounce to the Ounce' in the dash
Playing a song by Roger Troutman while driving
Mash up, Van Ness, headed for the West
Driving fast and heading to the artist's origin location
Everything is great, slow down for the dip
Enjoying the drive but needing to slow down for a bump in the road
On a 100 and 8th, and keep mashin'
Continuing to drive even on an uneven road
Don't drink and drive to keep the fo' from crashin'
Advocating responsible behavior while driving to prevent a car accident
Stashin' a glock and I thought you knew it
Keeping a gun hidden and assuming others are aware of it
You know how we do it
Reiterating the artist's familiar and established way of living and operating
It's hittin' on the West Side
Referring to the quality of the music and its reception in the artist's origin location
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: O'Shea Jackson, Quincy Delight III Jones, Theodore Jr. Life, Dexter Wansel
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@erikrojas3959
You have a good taste of music if u like this
@miona5049
Erik Rojas thank you
@fuckufuckinfuck6
Thanks
@teesvn01
Erik Rojas no shittttt🤣
@mr.coffee5220
You too.
@elpiratazweyxd3248
dont tell me what to do
@savitojsingh4212
in gta san andreas... a lowrider+ radio los santos= best feeling ever
@MeerWickk
Fax💯
@williamkeith7630
Why don’t you do it in real life. Go to la rent a 64 and play some west coast classics
@savitojsingh4212
@@williamkeith7630 sure mate