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.
crack baby
Ice Cube Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you the motherfucker that broke in my Mercedes?
[Ice Cube]
Let me tell y'all, the definition of shady
Do some dumb shit, dumber than join the Navy
What yo' broke ass doin' with a hundred babies?
Strap it on please, you're spreadin' STD's
throughout the hood, you's a walkin' disease
You took the bad ones, and you turned 'em into sad ones
Bitch you dumb too, fuckin' with the last ones
You's a crazy nigga goin' in and out of there
Like you love it, but nigga I'm outta here
When they crack the door, boy I ain't comin' back
I'm tryin' to figure out, why you keep runnin' back?
[Chorus]
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you the motherfucker that broke in my Mercedes?
[Ice Cube]
Sick with it, bipolar, crazy as the Ayatollah
Went in to buy a soda, now we shootin' at the rollers
He looked at me like "Cube, I thought you was a soldier"
I am nigga, but not for a Coca-Cola
Jumped out my car when his head hit the tar
It bust like a jar but he still wanted to spar
They jumped out, and hit his ass with the taser
Fifty thousand volts turned him into Joe Frazier
Beat they ass, took they badge, took they guns and they cash
Came by the bar, nigga rollin' in they squad car
Blue and red lights flashin' like a superstar
I just shook my head and wondered who the fuck you are
[Chorus]
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you the motherfucker that broke in my Mercedes?
[Ice Cube]
You've got to be a crack baby, turn into a grown-up
Sharp as a bowling ball, brain like a donut
My daddy told me that the early bird get the worm
He told me that the early dope fiend get the sherm
Three AM, see you ridin' on that bicycle
Old motherfucker, what you doin' on that tricycle?
You's a cold motherfucker like a icicle
With your grandmama purse tryin' to buy a nickel
I should kick ya ass just because she can't do it
Cause all you do is talk shit and you drink fluid
You say "Yeah man, you better get used to it"
They say God is perfect, and I say he blew it
[Chorus]
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you the motherfucker that broke in my Mercedes?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?
Are you the motherfucker that broke in my Mercedes?
Ice Cube's song "Crack Baby" addresses several societal issues that emerged during the crack epidemic of the 1980s. The chorus poses two questions, "Are you a grown crack baby born in the '80s?" and "Are you the motherfucker that broke in my Mercedes?" which highlight the consequences of drug addiction and how it can lead to criminal behavior.
Ice Cube begins his verse by calling out the definition of shady, and how people who engage in dumb and criminal activity are none the wiser. He also calls out people who have unprotected sex and spread STDs throughout the hood. The song implies that people with drug addiction are carriers of this disease, affecting not only themselves but the people they interact with.
In Ice Cube's second verse, he uses metaphors to describe people with drug addiction as being sick, bipolar, crazy as the Ayatollah. He also references a story about an altercation that occurred when he stopped to buy soda and ended up shooting at the police. The song criticizes people with addiction for being destructive to their community and unproductive to society.
Line by Line Meaning
[Chorus]
Ice Cube asks if the person he's referring to is a crack baby born in the '80s, or the one who broke into his Mercedes.
Let me tell y'all, the definition of shady
Ice Cube introduces his thoughts on the person he's addressing.
It's a nigga like you that think it's all gravy
He accuses the person of having a false sense of security.
Do some dumb shit, dumber than join the Navy
The person has made poor decisions, even worse than joining the military.
What yo' broke ass doin' with a hundred babies?
He questions how the person can afford to have so many children.
Strap it on please, you're spreadin' STD's
He advises the person to use protection during sexual encounters to avoid spreading STDs.
throughout the hood, you's a walkin' disease
The person is seen as a negative influence in the community.
You took the bad ones, and you turned 'em into sad ones
He blames the person for ruining the lives of those who were already struggling.
Bitch you dumb too, fuckin' with the last ones
The person is also foolish for getting involved with people who have nothing left to lose.
You's a crazy nigga goin' in and out of there
The person is seen as erratic and unpredictable.
Like you love it, but nigga I'm outta here
Ice Cube is leaving because he doesn't want to be associated with the person's actions.
When they crack the door, boy I ain't comin' back
He has no intention of returning or getting involved with the person.
I'm tryin' to figure out, why you keep runnin' back?
He wonders why the person continues to engage in self-destructive behavior.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats, emphasizing the theme of the song.
Sick with it, bipolar, crazy as the Ayatolah
He describes the person as mentally unstable.
Went in to buy a soda, now we shootin' at the rollers
The person's actions have escalated from something seemingly innocent to violence against law enforcement.
He looked at me like "Cube, I thought you was a soldier"
Ice Cube is disappointed that the person doesn't recognize his reputation as a tough guy.
I am nigga, but not for a Coca-Cola
He clarifies that while he is a tough guy, he's not going to engage in violence over something as trivial as a soft drink.
Jumped out my car when his head hit the tar
Ice Cube got out of his car when the person fell to the ground.
It bust like a jar but he still wanted to spar
Even after taking a hit and falling on the ground, the person still wanted to fight back.
They jumped out, and hit his ass with the taser
The police arrived and subdued the person with a taser.
Fifty thousand volts turned him into Joe Frazier
The effects of the taser made the person unable to continue fighting.
Beat they ass, took they badge, took they guns and they cash
Ice Cube and his cohorts assaulted the officers and took their weapons and valuables.
Came by the bar, nigga rollin' in they squad car
They took the squad car and drove it to a bar.
Blue and red lights flashin' like a superstar
The police lights on the stolen vehicle attracted attention to them.
I just shook my head and wondered who the fuck you are
Ice Cube is disgusted by the person's behavior and questions who they really are.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats again to drive home the song's message.
You've got to be a crack baby, turn into a grown-up
Ice Cube suggests that the person has grown up to be just as bad as a drug-addicted infant.
Sharp as a bowling ball, brain like a donut
He insults the person's intelligence.
My daddy told me that the early bird get the worm
He recalls a lesson his father taught him about taking initiative.
He told me that the early dope fiend get the sherm
This advice, followed literally, will only lead to a life of addiction and misery.
Three AM, see you ridin' on that bicycle
He observes the person engaging in illegal activity late at night.
Old motherfucker, what you doin' on that tricycle?
He insults the person with a vulgar name, and questions why someone of their age is riding a child's toy.
You's a cold motherfucker like a icicle
He reiterates his disdain for the person's behavior.
With your grandmama purse tryin' to buy a nickel
He mocks the person for using their grandmother's purse to buy drugs.
I should kick ya ass just because she can't do it
He suggests that he should beat up the person since their grandmother is incapable of doing so.
Cause all you do is talk shit and you drink fluid
He insults the person's tendency to speak negatively and consume dangerous substances.
You say "Yeah man, you better get used to it"
The person seems to accept their negative lifestyle as the norm.
They say God is perfect, and I say he blew it
Ice Cube blames God for allowing someone like the person he's addressing to exist, suggesting they are a reflection of society's flaws.
[Chorus]
The chorus repeats for the final time, ending the song with its message about the negative effects of crack addiction and the lifestyles it creates.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: JAMES JR. CORRINE, O'SHEA JACKSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
nathonas
Ice Cube always got the sickest beats...
Jaycob andrade
nathonas what about Andre nickatina
Tyler Blevins
9
Maciek Albert
Respect przez duże "R" Ice Cube wymiata:)
Grayson Gold
This song is a classic banger
Andrew Flood
I LUV THIS SONG !!!!!!
Invisible12345ful
I laughed my ass off
Shawn
He's making these type of songs since Amekkkicas Most Wanted LMAO, this shit true and timeless.
piotrthesexypolak
one of my favourite lines on the boondocks!
countrysideofthings
ive looked for this cd but i could never find it im like ice cubes #1 fan i got all his posters i got models of his cars his clothes the whole works i just need that 1 cd