Ice Cube 2,680

Straight outta South Central Los Angeles, Ice Cube became one of the most respected rappers in hip-hop, helping to usher in the era of gangsta rap with N.W.A and as a solo artist. He has gone on to become a mogul in Hollywood but still remains true to the game that brought him his success.

Born O'Shea Jackson on June 15, 1969, Ice Cube got his name from his older brother, who threatened to put him in a freezer and pull him out when he was an ice cube. He began rapping in high school and started his rap career as a member of Stereo Crew, which released the single “She’s a Skag” through Epic Records in 1986, and C.I.A. with the 1987 track “My Posse.” Both groups featured producer Sir Jinx, the cousin of DJ/producer Dr. Dre.

Ice Cube’s big break came when he wrote the song “Boyz n the Hood” for Eazy-E, which led to the formation of N.W.A. as a group. After the release of the 1987 compilation N.W.A. and the Posse, the group released their classic debut Straight Outta Compton in 1988. A financial dispute caused Cube to leave the group in 1989 and start his successful solo career, starting with his 1990 platinum debut Amerikkka’s Most Wanted.

After receiving jabs from N.W.A., Cube responded on his classic 1991 sophomore album Death Certificate with the track “No Vaseline,” a knockout blow to the group as they disbanded shortly after the song’s release. Cube went on to release several hit albums and singles, including his biggest single to date, “It Was a Good Day” from his 1992 album The Predator. He also released two albums with Mack 10 and WC as the group Westside Connection, and in 2020, Cube connected with fellow West Coast superstars Snoop Dogg, E-40 & Too $hort to form the supergroup MOUNT WESTMORE.

1991 saw Cube begin his acting career with the movie Boyz N the Hood. He went on write, direct and produce movies such as the Friday and Barbershop series, The Players Club, Are We There Yet?, and Ride Along among others. In 2017, Cube helped establish the Big3 3-on-3 basketball league featuring retired NBA players. For all of his endeavors, Ice Cube was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with N.W.A. in 2016 and he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on June 12, 2017.