Ice Cube

Rap singer and co-founder, with Easy-E and Dr. Dre, of the group N.W.A. (Niggaz with Attitude) who has gone on to a successful career as a solo performer, actor, writer, and director. As part of the group N.W.A. he issued his debut album, the acclaimed Straight Outta Compton, in 1989. The following year he released a solo album, AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, which went gold within ten days of release and platinum within months—all without radio airplay. At times a controversial performer known for a kind of “gangsta” music that features violent, sexual, and even anti-Semitic lyrics, Ice Cube has also appeared in John Singleton's critically acclaimed movie Boyz N The Hood (1991), Three Kings (1999) with George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg, the ensemble Barbershop (2002), and the comedy Are We There Yet? (2005). He directed more than a dozen music videos before turning his talents to The Players Club (1998) as director, screenwriter, actor, executive producer, and music producer.