The second entrant into 1Xtra's Hip Hop Hall of Fame is Ice Cube. (Last year's winner was Chuck D.)
Just the facts:
::ÌýIce Cube was born O'Shea Jackson on June 15, 1969 in Los Angeles, California.
::ÌýHe began rapping with school friend Sir Jinx in a group called CIA and performed at parties hosted by DJ and then World Class Wreckin' Cru member Dr. Dre.
::ÌýAfter a brief stint in a crew called HBO, Cube showed his friend Eazy-E a song he had written called 'Boyz-N-The-Hood'.
::ÌýEazy recorded the song on to the newly-formed NWA's first album - NWA, released in 1987.
::ÌýTheir ground breaking second album 'Straight Outta Compton' was released in 1988 and put Ice Cube and NWA on the map. NWA's members consisted of Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Eazy E, DJ Yella, Arabian Prince and the DOC.
::ÌýIn the early '90's, Cube found himself beefing with Eazy-E and manager Jerry Heller, and left NWA. In response, the remaining group members dissed him on EP '100 Miles and Runnin' and their next and final full-length album, 'Efil4zaggin'.
::ÌýWith Da Lench Mob and the Bomb Squad (Public Enemy's production team), Cube recorded his debut solo album in New York City. 'AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted' was released in 1990 and was an instant hit.
Cube's career in pictures
::ÌýCube mixed music with his entry into Hollywood. His first, and perhaps most famous role, was in John Singleton's 1991 film 'Boyz N The Hood'. In 1992 he starred alongside Ice-T in the film 'Trespass'.
::Ìý1993 saw Ice Cube working with emerging rapper Tupac Shakur on his album 'Strictly 4 My N.*.*.*.*.Z.', appearing on 'Last Words' with Ice-T. He also did a song with Dr. Dre for the first time since he left N.W.A - 'Natural Born Killaz' on the 'Murder Was The Case' soundtrack.
::ÌýIn 1995, Cube had a breakthrough film role in the hit comedy 'Friday', alongside comedian Chris Tucker. He also did a second film with John Singleton, 'Higher Learning' for which he earned award nominations.
::Ìý2002 saw Cube starring in the commercially successful movie 'Barbershop'.
::ÌýCube has recently taken time out of Hollywood to refocus on his music career. In June 2006 Cube released his long awaited comeback album 'Laugh Now, Cry Later' on his own label Lench Mob Records.
Sem meets Cube
The Life and Times of:
::ÌýBusta Rhymes
::ÌýP Diddy
::ÌýJermaine Dupri
