12.13.09

Ice Cube Still Solid

Ice Cube has several identities to juggle these days: You’ve got Ice Cube, the guy who was in N.W.A., or the guy who rapped about having a good day just because he didn’t use his AK. And then you’ve got Ice Cube, the guy who smoked tons of weed and spent an entire Friday dodging Deebo.

But now? Now we mostly know Ice Cube for his roles in family friendly blockbuster films like “Are We There Yet?” and the equally popular sequel “Are We Done Yet?” (Answer: We hope so.) Suddenly Ice Cube went from scandalous gangster rapper to household name.

Though Ice Cube’s public perception sure has considerably evolved from the early days of his career, it’s also true that he has managed to maintain a well-respected multi-faceted career. At 18, Ice Cube got his start alongside Eazy-E in N.W.A., writing half of the lyrics to Straight Outta Compton. After some financial squabbles arose in the group, Ice Cube left to start his own successful solo career, releasing AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted in 1990. Eight solo records and two collaborations later, Ice Cube, now 40, might have lost some of his edge—but he’s also still got both a rap career and film career, which more than we can say for some of his contemporaries.
Ice Cube: Sun., Dec. 13, 8 p.m., $36. Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714.712.2750. All ages.