On this day in Hip Hop history, O’Shea Jackson a.k.a. Ice Cube was born in Los Angeles, California.
During his 47 years of life, Cube has one of the most impressive resumés of anyone in Hip Hop or music in general. Although his controversial style of rap was never properly awarded, what he lacks in accolades he makes up for in accomplishments. As an actor, director, writer, producer, and rapper, Ice Cube has been directly involved in 38 films, nine television shows, 14 albums and two video games. Across the board, Ice Cube is regarded as one of the greatest MC of all time by artists, critics, and fans alike. In honor of his legacy and in celebration of his born day, we have compiled a list of the top 10 tracks from his 32 year career.
#10 “Go To Church”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd2IbH38hys
Featuring Snoop Dogg and Lil Jon this 2006 release was a single off Cube’s Laugh Now, Cry Later. The single peaked at #20 on the Israel Top 20 Hip Hop Chart as well as #25 on the US Hot Rap Songs Chart.
#9 “Once Upon A Time In The Projects”
Produced by Sir Jinx, this record was one of the more popular tracks on Cube’s debut LP AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted which peaked at #6 on the Billboard To R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart, #19 on the Billboard 200, and #48 on the UK Albums chart.
#8 “Why We Thugs”
“Why We Thugs” was the first single released from Cube’s seventh album Laugh Now, Cry Later. The music video for the track contains a cameo from comedian Mike Epps.
#7 “Bop-Gun (One Nation)”
Featuring Parliament/Funkadelic‘s George Clinton, this track peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The record contained a sample from Funkadelic’s “One Nation Under Groove” and got its title from Parliament single “Bop Gun (Endangered Species)”. The video features cameos from Bootsy Collins and WC.
#6 “Natural Born Killaz”
Released by Dr. Dre and Cube as a part of the Murder Was The Case soundtrack, this single is the first time the duo had worked together since N.W.A.‘s split.
#5 “You Know How We Do”
Peaking at #30 on the Billboard 200 chart, this track is the second single form Cube’s fourth album, Lethal Interjection. The song has been featured in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.
#4 “No Vaseline”
Serving as one of Hip Hop’s greatest dis records, “No Vaseline” is an all out attack on Ice Cube’s former group, N.W.A. and record label, Ruthless Records. The song was sparked by Cube’s decision to leave N.W.A. due to royalty issues.
#3 “Straight Outta Compton”
Although Cube may have spat one of the hardest opening bars in Hip Hop history, this rap classic made appearances on charts in Europe upon its release, but severely lacked airplay in the States. It did however debut and peak at #38 on the Billboard 200 chart on September 5, 2015, 27 years after its release.
#2 “It Was A Good Day”
As the first single off Cube’s Predator album, “It Was A Good Day” is dubbed a Hip Hop classic by both fans and critics. The album peaked at #1 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart and went gold selling 600,000 copies in the year of its release.
#1 “Check Yo Self”
The #1 spot goes to what may be Cube’s most popular single, “Check Yo Self.” Featuring New York phenoms Das EFX, this single topped both the Billboard Rap and R&B charts upon its release. The single also went platinum, selling 1,00,000 copies shortly after being put out.
From everyone at The Source Magazine, Happy Born Day Cube, may you see many more years of success and hit records.