By Fred Jones
O’Shea Jackson Sr. known professionally as Ice Cube, is an American rapper, songwriter, actor, and film producer. His lyrics on N.W.A‘s 1988 album Straight Outta Compton contributed to gangsta rap‘s widespread popularity and his political rap solo albums AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted(1990), Death Certificate (1991), and The Predator (1992) were all critically and commercially successful. Ice Cube was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of N.W.A in 2016.
Relevancy in the entertainment industry is not as easy as you may think but, Ice Cube continues to remain relevant and excel in all facets of being a media mogul. Not very many Rap artist from the 80’s can say they have accomplished what Ice Cube has both as a lyricist, actor, and business entrepreneur.
Ice Cube is also the founder of the Big3, a 3-on-3 professional basketball league with entertainment executive Jeff Kwatinetz. The league consists of 12 teams and provides an outlet to many former NBA players that still have the ability and passion to compete on a professional level.
Ice Cube has power, influence, and a fanbase worldwide with an upcoming new release in the mix I had a chance to talk with him about the newly released project
Ice Cube stated “After the 2000’s I really stopped playing the record company game and started focusing on doing music for the true Ice Cube fans. That’s were I’m focusing in on this time around if you really dig what I’ve done in the past you’re going to love this record. People that haven’t been Ice Cube fans in the past have to get in where they fit in on this one”.
I asked Ice Cube about the concept of “Man Down” and we also discussed to “NWA” vibe which was really hard core to some people. Thinking about so much of what we hear today I asked if “Man Down” would inspire young artist to be more relevant to issues and not focus so much on negative influence Ice Cube stated: “At the end of the day artist have to do what they feel, artist have to cultivate their audience but I’m going to tell every artist that hears my voice that if you don’t put substance in your music you’re not going to be here very long. The only way your blessed with longevity is if you are saying something that people can feel. You might have a hit and it might be banging in the club for a minute but, until you touch people’s heart in some way, shape or fashion where they can understand you, and feel that you can understand or relate to what they are going thru in your song. Then you’re not going to become a legacy artist”.
Speaking on legacy records we talked about Ice Cubes mega hit “Today Was A Good Day” which is one of Rap Music’s most celebrated anthems millions and millions of music fans love this track and there is not a R/B or Rap playlist that exist without it. I asked if his latest release “Man Down” had a comparable track for true Ice Cube fans he stated: “I think so, you know “Today Was A Good Day” is like to the movie Friday everyone has had that good day, everyone has lived that good day were everything goes right, everyone has set on the porch or wherever you kick it at with your craziest friend or cousin and just tripped off what the day has brought you. I really believe I have some relatable music on this new project”.
In closing Ice Cube stated, “Sometime when you get in the music game and you become famous and you go platinum then you start living out your dreams you start talking about issues that you are going thru and not the issues we all are going thru. Most people get put on for talking about something everyone is going thru so you have to keep that in mind that its not always about you particularly but, it’s about all of us’’.
Ice Cube will be performing this Saturday November 16th at the River Spirit Casino Cove for tickets follow this link: www.riverspirittulsa.com
