Ice Cube, born O’Shea Jackson Sr., is an American rapper, actor, producer, screenwriter, and director who emerged as one of the most influential figures in the history of West Coast hip-hop. Rising to prominence as a founding member of the groundbreaking rap group N.W.A, he later established a highly successful solo music career and transitioned into film, becoming a major cultural force across music, cinema, and popular culture.

Early Life and Education

Ice Cube was born on June 15, 1969, in Los Angeles, California, to Doris Jackson and Hosea Jackson. His mother worked as a hospital clerk and his father was a groundskeeper at the University of California, Los Angeles. Growing up in South Central Los Angeles, Ice Cube was exposed early to the social realities that would later define his lyrical themes.

He began writing rap lyrics during his high school years and showed a strong interest in music while pursuing his education. After graduating from high school, he attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology, where he earned a degree in architectural drafting.

Early Music Career and N.W.A

Ice Cube began his professional music career in 1987 when he formed the group C.I.A. with his close friend Sir Jinx. The duo released the album My Posse, which marked Ice Cube’s first official recording experience.

Later in 1987, Ice Cube joined the rap group N.W.A, which would go on to revolutionize hip-hop music. As a principal lyricist, he played a crucial role in shaping the group’s politically charged and confrontational style. N.W.A released the albums N.W.A. and the Posse (1987) and the seminal Straight Outta Compton (1988), which established gangsta rap as a dominant force in American music.

Solo Career and Record Label

After leaving N.W.A due to financial and creative disputes, Ice Cube launched a solo career. In 1990, he released his debut album AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted through Priority Records, an EMI subsidiary. The album received widespread critical acclaim and positioned him as a leading voice in socially conscious and politically confrontational rap.

That same year, Ice Cube founded his own record label, Lench Mob Records. In the early 1990s, he also embraced Islam, a personal decision that influenced aspects of his worldview and artistic identity.

His second album, Death Certificate (1991), debuted at number two on U.S. charts and remains one of the most influential albums in hip-hop history. He followed with The Predator (1992), released the same year he performed at the Lollapalooza Festival, further cementing his mainstream success.

Westside Connection and Later Music Projects

In 1996, Ice Cube formed the supergroup Westside Connection with WC and Mack 10. Their debut album Bow Down achieved commercial success and reinforced Ice Cube’s dominance in West Coast rap.

After a hiatus from the group, he reunited with Westside Connection in 2003 to release Terrorist Threats, which reached number 16 on U.S. charts. Alongside group projects, Ice Cube continued releasing solo albums, including Lethal Injection (1993), the two-part War & Peace series (1998–2000), Laugh Now, Cry Later (2006), Raw Footage (2008), and I Am the West (2010).

Film Career and Acting Breakthrough

Ice Cube began his acting career in 1991 with the critically acclaimed film Boyz n the Hood, released in Turkey as Artık Çocuk Değiller, where he portrayed the character Doughboy. The role marked a powerful cinematic debut and opened the door to a sustained career in film.

He quickly became known for balancing serious dramatic roles with commercially successful comedies. Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, he appeared in films such as Friday, Higher Learning, Anaconda, Three Kings, and Ghosts of Mars.

Producer, Screenwriter, and Director

Beyond acting, Ice Cube established himself as a filmmaker behind the camera. He made his directorial debut with The Players Club (1998), which he also wrote. As a screenwriter, he was responsible for films including Friday, Next Friday, Friday After Next, and All About the Benjamins.

As a producer, he was involved in numerous successful projects, including Barbershop, Ride Along, Straight Outta Compton, and Fist Fight, helping shape mainstream urban cinema for a new generation.

Personal Life

Ice Cube married Kimberly Woodruff on April 26, 1992. The couple has five children: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Darrell Jackson, Deja Jackson, Karima Jackson, and Shareef Jackson. His son O’Shea Jackson Jr. later portrayed Ice Cube in the biographical film Straight Outta Compton.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Ice Cube is widely recognized as one of the most influential artists in hip-hop history. His work helped define the sound, attitude, and political consciousness of West Coast rap while also bridging the gap between music and mainstream cinema.

Through his achievements as a rapper, actor, producer, and cultural commentator, Ice Cube has remained a defining voice in American popular culture for more than three decades, leaving an enduring legacy across multiple creative industries.

Discography

With C.I.A.

• 1987 – My Posse

With N.W.A

• 1987 – N.W.A. and the Posse
• 1988 – Straight Outta Compton

With Westside Connection

• 1996 – Bow Down
• 2003 – Terrorist Threats

Solo Albums

• 1990 – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted
• 1991 – Death Certificate
• 1992 – The Predator
• 1993 – Lethal Injection
• 1998 – War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc)
• 2000 – War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)
• 2006 – Laugh Now, Cry Later
• 2008 – Raw Footage
• 2010 – I Am the West

Filmography

Director

• 1998 – The Players Club – Feature Film

Screenwriter

• 1995 – Friday – Feature Film
• 1998 – The Players Club – Feature Film
• 2000 – Next Friday – Feature Film
• 2002 – Friday After Next – Feature Film
• 2002 – All About the Benjamins – Feature Film

Producer

• 1995 – Friday – Feature Film
• 2002 – All About the Benjamins – Feature Film
• 2010 – Lottery Ticket – Feature Film
• 2014 – Ride Along – Feature Film
• 2015 – Straight Outta Compton – Feature Film
• 2016 – Barbershop: The Next Cut – Feature Film
• 2016 – Ride Along 2 – Feature Film
• 2017 – Fist Fight – Feature Film

Actor

• 1991 – Boyz n the Hood – Darren “Doughboy” Baker – Feature Film
• 1992 – Trespass – Savon – Feature Film
• 1994 – The Glass Shield – Teddy Woods – Feature Film
• 1995 – Friday – Craig Jones – Feature Film
• 1995 – Higher Learning – Fudge – Feature Film
• 1997 – Anaconda – Danny Rich – Feature Film
• 1997 – Dangerous Ground – Vusi Madlazi – Feature Film
• 1999 – Three Kings – Staff Sergeant Elgin – Feature Film
• 2000 – Next Friday – Craig Jones – Feature Film
• 2001 – Ghosts of Mars – Williams – Feature Film
• 2002 – Barbershop – Calvin Palmer – Feature Film
• 2002 – Friday After Next – Craig Jones – Feature Film
• 2003 – Beef – Himself – Feature Film
• 2004 – Barbershop 2: Back in Business – Calvin Palmer – Feature Film
• 2004 – Torque – Trey – Feature Film
• 2005 – xXx: State of the Union – Darius Stone – Feature Film
• 2007 – Are We Done Yet? – Nick Persons – Feature Film
• 2008 – First Sunday – Durell Washington – Feature Film
• 2008 – The Longshots – Curtis Plummer – Feature Film
• 2010 – Lottery Ticket – Mr. Washington – Feature Film
• 2011 – Rampart – Kyle Timkins – Feature Film
• 2012 – 21 Jump Street – Captain Dickson – Feature Film
• 2014 – 22 Jump Street – Captain Dickson – Feature Film
• 2014 – Ride Along – James Payton – Feature Film
• 2016 – Ride Along 2 – James Payton – Feature Film
• 2016 – Barbershop: The Next Cut – Calvin Palmer – Feature Film
• 2017 – Fist Fight – Ron Strickland – Feature Film

Music Contributions (Film Soundtracks)

• 1995 – Friday – Feature Film
• 2001 – Save the Last Dance – Feature Film
• 2002 – All About the Benjamins – Feature Film

Source: Biyografiler.com