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Ice Cube Rapper
Born O’Shea Jackson (later O’Shea James) in 1969 in Los Angeles and raised by his mother Doris and father Hosea in South Central, Ice Cube attended an all-white suburban high school after turning 15 where his exposure to violence decreased dramatically; an event which would forever shape him as an MC.
Young Rashad began writing raps and formed the group CIA with two friends. While performing at local parties and clubs, Dr. Dre found them and invited them to record at his Los Angeles-area studio Death Row Records to help build up a following. By 1988, Straight Outta Compton had become both critical and commercial success, thus further popularizing rap music genre.
After the breakup of N.W.A in 1989, Cube embarked upon a solo career which featured his outspoken views on social issues facing poor communities. His first two albums – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted and Death Certificate – proved contentious; their songs directly attacked oppressive institutions–from police departments he claimed he hated to former N.W.A collaborators and other rap industry players–while also attacking all that was considered unacceptable about black life.
AmeriKKKa released two subsequent albums: Death Certificate in 1991 and Most Wanted the following year. Death Certificate featured several tracks that seemed to portray women negatively, prompting accusations of misogyny. To address those concerns, AmeriKKKa recruited female rapper Yo-Yo as guest artist for Death Certificate as well as helping produce her debut album Make Way for the Motherlode.
After Lethal Injection (1992), he continued working in films and collaborations with other rappers from New York City like Das EFX, Mack 10, and WC. In 1996 he formed Westside Connection along with Mack 10 and WC to release Bow Down album which showcased their transition from West Coast funk hip-hop style to East Coast style music with success.
Cube has made notable appearances in several film and television franchises, such as Barbershop. His recent roles included Covers (2019) and Friday (2020). On television shows like The Grissom Show, The Player’s Club and The Fist Fight; his 2018 album Everythang’s Corrupt displayed his unrelenting fight for justice and reparative society; it showcased his outrage against corrupt systems including that of President Donald Trump – his righteous anger permeates all his music and movies alike.
