StreetBeat
Godfather Of The Game
Whether behind the microphone or on the big screen, Ice Cube has perfected the formula for long-term success.
Byline: Text by John Jarasa; Photos by Reinaldo M. Robinson
On June 15, 1969, the birth of an individual named O'Shea Jackson would not only change one family's life, but also the world. Better known to most of us as Ice Cube, O'Shea Jackson's birth would be the genesis of a man who would go on to break boundaries, break records and break into the movie industry like no other rapper has done before.
Regarded as one of the most important figures in rap history, Ice Cube began his career with the Notorious West Coast gangsta rap group N.W.A a little more than 15 years ago. At the height of the group's success, Ice Cube broke away to start his own solo career. His initial release, Amerikkka's Most Wanted (Priority, 1990) sold more than a million copies.
Cube's sophomore solo effort, Death Certificate (Priority, 1991), a concept album about the fall and rise of the black man, debuted at #1 on the R&B Album chart, #2 on the Top 200 album chart and went on to sell more than two-million copies. His impressive musical career also includes the multi-platinum success of both his double album War and Peace, and hit albums Lethal Injection, Bootlegs & B-Sides, and The Predator. Ice Cube has sold more than 10-million albums to date.When you break it down to basics, Ice Cube has single-handedly dominated a broad following of the masses. From corporate CEOs to street thugs, Ice Cube has a mass appeal, which he commands and never demands. It's one of the hardest boundaries to break, but it's there. Hollywood is so sensitive to their artists and what they're engaged in, but with Ice Cube there seems to be no boundary that he can't cross.
Ice Cube has slapped asses on music videos, used the word "ho" numerous times, but all the while, he can still hug a kid, kill giant supernatural animals and save the world in movies on the silver screen. But why does he get this respect? Who really knows? But we'll take a stab at the fact that it's probably because he's real and carries himself with a self-respecting demeanor that speaks the truth braided with common sense and a realism that the world isn't too afraid to watch.
Ice Cube puts out the best of his personality in all that he does. From what he's learned and took from the streets to the skill that he has as an actor and musician, his music and acting is riddled with tales of run-ins with the law, the ladies and, until today, low-lows. He hasn't forgotten where he's come from and lowriders have played a crucial role in many of his best music videos. As a lowrider owner himself, Cube is dedicated to pushing the scene forward and his two latest videos still use lowriders.Cube's not only a multi-platinum and award-winning hip-hop superstar but also a lowrider owner who has made huge leaps and bounds. With the debut of his new solo LP, entitled Laugh Now, Cry Later, Cube along with top level producers like Scott Storch and Swizz Beatz will be parlaying their skills into one of the hottest summertime "must haves" to own. By the time that this article prints, you probably would have already been up on the game, but if not, then we're sure that you soon will.From big screen to big hits, Ice Cube has that formula for success and the controls to the game that he's running. This isn't the first you've heard of Ice Cube and please believe that it won't be the last.
Exclusive Ice Cube Interview By Reinaldo M. Robinson
"I have a couple of cars and you can best believe that they have chrome and paint on 'em."
LRM: Well, Cube, we appreciate you taking time out of your busy schedule to talk with us. We know that you're shooting a video here at the Super Show.
Cube: Well, I appreciate LRM letting me come through and shoot this video called "Chrome and Paint." Ain't more chrome and paint on the West Coast than up in this building, so you know that it's a perfect marriage between the video and what's going on here at this show. Then later, I'm gonna get up on the stage and do my thang.
LRM: So what's the concept of the video?
Cube: Just chrome and paint, baby. You know, just showing the cars, showing what people are putting together. They're works of art. You know, these cars can match with any art in the world, painting or sculptures.LRM: Isn't that the truth? We have some really talented people in the lowriding community. So what type of cars are you rolling these days?
Cube: Well, I have a couple of cars and you can best believe that they have chrome and paint on 'em.
LRM: What's your favorite lowrider?
Cube: I'm sort of a traditionalist. I like the six-four Chevy, but I'm coming around to the '57 rag.
LRM: We're sure that there are a few indoors that would be for sale... for you (laugh).
Cube: (laughing) Yeah, I'm cool. I'm going to let the people who really have the time and effort to put in do their thing. If you don't put it together yourself, what's the use; you ain't lowriding. I don't want to buy no one else's project. I'll just do a project of my own, you know what I'm saying?
LRM: We feel you on that. What else is going on with you right now?
Cube: Just the album right now, it'll be out by the time that you read this. "Chrome and Paint" is just one of the songs off of the album and it's got some real heaters on it.
LRM: We know that you're wearing many hats these days, rapping, acting and producing. What film projects do you have coming up?
Cube: Yeah, I got some, but I'm keeping them under my hat, because you know that we always got something cocked.
LRM: You know we're all waiting for the next Friday movie!
Cube: Don't worry, we got it cocked, but right now we're just on the music tip for a minute.
LRM: So is that how you normally work? Flipping back and forth from the music to the movie thing? Or do you try to do them together?
Cube: Sometimes, I do them both together, but when I can, I try to separate the two. That way, I can give each, either the film or the music, the time that it needs, without rushing nothing. That's what I try to do.
LRM: When you make your movies you go from one extreme to another. Like Anaconda to Friday to Are We There Yet? Is that part of the master plan to hit all of the demographics?
Cube: I try to do what's good. I try not to get stuck in one kind of movie. I just try to do the good scripts that come my way or put them together myself. So I'm always doing Hollywood movies, like the Anacondas and the Triple Xs. But I also do the Fridays, Barber Shops and Are We There Yets? That's kinda my stuff, so I'm always looking to see what's out there, but also working in the lab.
LRM: Sounds good. Any parting thoughts for our Lowrider readers?
Cube: Keep hopping and keep that chrome and paint coming.