15 essential Ice Cube tracks to listen to on his birthday

Ice Cube first came on to the scene as a member of hip-hop collective N.W.A. The group’s first hit single, “Straight Outta Compton,” helped introduce Cube and his bandmates to the world. It was a proper way to showcase their storytelling skills and insight about growing up on the streets of Los Angeles. 

Although Ice Cube wrote half of the lyrics on N.W.A.’s first album, he was severely underpaid and was at odds with bandmate Eazy-E and former manager Jerry Heller. Once he decided to leave the group to focus on a solo career, the remaining N.W.A. members bashed Cube on their next album. Cube then decided to retaliate on one of the most famous rap diss records, “No Vaseline.”

Rappers are always prideful about the cities they hail from. Ice Cube is no different for not only being a pioneer of West Coast hip-hop but also for representing his city to the fullest on his 2010 single “I Rep That West.” He boasts about being a veteran in the game and calls out upcoming MCs for imitating the West Coast sound. 

One topic N.W.A. was never afraid to shed light on is its protest against police brutality. It was evident on the group's 1988 single properly titled “F**k Tha Police," in which Ice Cube stresses how he’s a police target simply because of his skin color, something that is still relevant 30 years after the song was released. 

Ice Cube was known for his gangsta rap flow with rhymes about the problems he faces on a daily basis; however, his “It Was A Good Day” single was all about giving praise to better days. In the music video, Cube is cruising around L.A. as he raps about everything from playing sports, not using his A.K. and seeing the Lakers beat the SuperSonics.

As Ice Cube ventured into the film world in the ‘90s, he also had his hands in producing soundtracks, one of which was the 1998 film “The Players Club.” The soundtrack’s hit single was properly titled “We Be Clubbin.’” For the nightclub parties and VIP sections, “We Be Clubbin'” is an essential weekend anthem. 

On top of using clips from the famous crime show “America’s Most Wanted,” Ice Cube’s first solo single from his debut album was all about living a criminal life. He knows what he’s able to get away with until the end of the song when the crazy life catches up to him.

Ice Cube started his career with lyrics protesting the criminal justice system and police brutality, and with over 30 years in the industry, he’s still a rapper with something to say. He’s unafraid to call out injustice, even if it’s being implemented by the leader of the free world. On his 2018 single, “Arrest the President,” he doesn’t state the president’s name, but it’s evident he’s calling out Donald Trump for his antics.

In the mid ‘90s, Ice Cube teamed up with fellow L.A. rappers Mack 10 and WC to form the supergroup known as Westside Connection. On the group’s first hit single, “Bow Down,” the three MCs speak highly about their greatness and how others should respect them in their presence.

The early ‘90s was the beginning of new subgenres in hip-hop, particularly the G-funk sound created by Dr. Dre and Cold 187um. The mashup between ‘70s funk and hip-hop was showcased on Ice Cube’s hit “You Know How We Do It.” Cube sampled tracks from Evelyn “Champagne" King and Kool & the Gang to give his top 40 hit the full G-funk effect. 

Ice Cube is ready to take on anyone who’s bold enough to step to him. “Check Yo Self” is the second single from his third album, “The Predator,” and the song reflects on Cube’s confidence and no-nonsense attitude. The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard hip-hop charts.

Ice Cube teamed up with hitmaking producer Scott Storch on his 2006 single “Why We Thugs.” Cube stresses dealing with the federal government and gentrification while giving praise to those who believe in building up his neighborhoods for the greater good.

Another popular club track was “You Can Do It” in which Ice Cube teamed up with rapper Ms. Toi and his Westside Connection bandmate Mack 10. The song was the second single from one of the rapper's successful films "Next Friday."

On Ice Cube’s second album, “Death Certificate,” he divided the project into two sides: The Death Side and The Life Side. The album’s first single, “Steady Mobbin,” has Cube telling about his days in South Central as he cruises through his neighborhood.

Ice Cube has no problem calling out people for living life for an image instead of for themselves. It’s evident on his single “True to the Game” in which he references people being sell-outs and followers rather than being trendsetters. He would rather create music that showcases his authenticity, rather than creating for popularity.