Ice Cube was born in the vibrant neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles, to Doris (Benjamin),a dedicated and hardworking custodian and hospital clerk, and Hosea Jackson, a diligent and meticulous UCLA groundskeeper. He initially gained widespread recognition as a talented singer and songwriter with the influential and controversial band N.W.A. His notable compositions with that group included many of the iconic tracks from their groundbreaking debut LP "Straight Outta Compton" (Ruthless/Priority, 1989),which boasted hits like the title track, "Gangsta Gangsta", and "Express Yourself". He parted ways with the band in 1990 due to creative differences and went on to embark on a remarkable solo career, releasing a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful albums, starting with "AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted" (Priority, 1990). His sophomore solo album, "Death Certificate" (Priority, 1991),a concept album that explored the struggles and triumphs of the Black man, sold an impressive two million copies, and his subsequent solo output has collectively sold over ten million copies. Throughout his illustrious career, he has also discovered and mentored talented artists such as Yoyo, Del the Funky Homosapien, K-Dee, and Mack 10.
In addition to his impressive music career, Ice Cube has also made significant contributions to the world of film. His debut role in John Singleton's Boyz n the Hood (1991) led to further appearances in movies such as Trespass (1992),Dangerous Ground (1997),and Anaconda (1997). He also made a memorable cameo appearance as himself in the comedy CB4 (1993). Moreover, Ice Cube has also ventured behind the camera, directing music videos for himself as well as notable artists like Prince and Color Me Badd. He co-wrote his screenwriting debut, Friday (1995),which became a box office hit.
