Sometimes power can be measured by your ability to make other people famous. That can be used for good, like Dr. Dre did with Eminem and Snoop. It can also happen because of some not-so-happy endings ala Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky (see what I did there?). Ice Cube — our fifth repeat winner here at the Hip Hop ABCs — has been so successful in his career outside of rap music that his efforts there have been a springboard for comedian Chris Tucker’s acting career. If that wasn’t enough, his now iconic dismissal of the neighborhood mooch named Felicia in Friday has become a popular meme two decades after the film he and DJ Pooh wrote hit theaters. (NSFW clip below)
Ice Cube, born O’Shea Jackson, has built an empire in two entertainment industries because he can write. As a member of NWA, he penned much of the group’s rhymes including Eazy-E’s "Boyz In the Hood." His solo career includes seven platinum albums spanning two decades with some coming before and after he started treating Hollywood like Deebo did Red.
It is commonplace for rappers to act these days, not so much in 1995 when Friday came out. Rarer still is the hip hop artist who can say he's acted in a film he wrote that grossed more than $28 million. And even though a lot of rappers currently appear on the big screen, not a lot of them can say they've been in just about as many movies as they've been on records. A quick IMDB check shows that Cube puts in work. I certainly can respect that and apparently you do, too. You have made him the winner of the Letter 'I' in the Hip Hop ABCs, where we let the alphabet be our guide to see who is the best in the game. Who gets your vote for J? Lots of fine quality players to choose from...
Infinite Skillz is a Hip Hop fan and emcee. Click here to find out more about his music.
