American rapper, MC, songwriter, actor, screenwriter and film director Ice Cube was born as O’Shea Jackson on June 15, 1969. He began his career as a member of the rap group N.W.A. and later launched a solo career in music and cinema. In 1987, he released the EP My Posse under the alias CIA and the county police. His debut album with the group N.W.A., which stands for !$#!#z With Attitude, was N.W.A. and the Posse. The group consisted of him, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella. The group’s landmark album was released in 1988 and was called Straight Outta Compton. By 1990, Ice Cube quit the band due to financial differences.
Ice Cube’s first solo album was the critically acclaimed AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, which was followed by Death Certificate in 1991. Both his albums were deemed controversial, and he was accused of misogyny and anti-white racism. In 1992, he released The Predator, which debuted at number one on both the pop and R&B charts. Two years later, he formed Westside Connection with rappers Mack10 and WC, releasing an album called Bow Down. Another of his side project bands includes Da Lench Mob and Kam, in 1992 and 1993 respectively. In 2006, he released his eighth solo album, Laugh Now, Cry Later, which became another success.
His first movie role was in the drama Boyz n the Hood in 1991. His portrayal of Darin ‘Doughboy’ Baker earned him praise, and this was followed by numerous other film roles. In 1992 he appeared as Savon in Trespass and as Teddy Woods in The Glass Shield. This was followed by Higher Learning in 1995. That same year, Ice Cube wrote the screenplay for the comedy Friday, where he played the role of Craig Jones. He had a supporting role in Anaconda in 1997, as well as making his directorial debut in The Players Club in 1998. He also produced and wrote the film. He also starred in 1999’s critically applauded Three Kings, which also featured George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg. He also wrote and appeared in Friday’s sequels, Next Friday and Friday After Next, as well as starring in the commercial success Barbershop in 2002. In 2005, he was cast in the action movie XXX: State of the Union and was in the family comedy Are We There Yet? In 2008, he accepted roles for the films The Longshots, First Sunday, Janky Promoters, The A-Team and The Extractors.