Ice Cube Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Ice Cube’s Wealth: How Much Is It?

Ice Cube, the American artist, actor, producer, and entrepreneur, boasts a net worth of $160 million. Moving from the forefront of West Coast gangsta rap to a prominent position in Hollywood, Ice Cube has achieved remarkable success. Initially gaining renown and wealth as part of NWA, Ice Cube ventured into a highly successful solo career. His involvement in writing, producing, and starring in numerous films has also contributed significantly to his success.

Initially achieving recognition as a member of the pioneering hip-hop group N.W.A., where he was one of the main songwriters, Ice Cube played a fundamental role in popularizing gangsta rap through N.W.A.’s albums, which featured both incisive and controversial lyrics that left a profound impact on the hip-hop genre.

Following his departure from N.W.A. in 1989, Ice Cube embarked on a solo career that solidified his position as one of hip-hop’s most influential figures. His debut solo album, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” released in 1990, enjoyed commercial success and received critical acclaim and controversy for its social and political commentary. Ice Cube’s subsequent albums, such as “Death Certificate” and “The Predator,” continued to delve into themes of social justice, racial inequality, and urban challenges.

Besides his music pursuits, Ice Cube successfully transitioned into acting, making his debut in the film “Boyz n the Hood” (1991), directed by John Singleton. His standout performance in this film opened doors to further acting opportunities. Ice Cube has since starred in and contributed to scripts for various films across genres, including action (“xXx: State of the Union”), family comedies (“Are We There Yet?”), and dramas (“Barbershop”).

Ice Cube’s role as a producer and writer has been equally impactful; he produced many of the films in which he has starred, and his production company, Cube Vision, has been behind several successful film and television projects.

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Early Life

O’Shea Jackson, known professionally as Ice Cube, was born on June 15, 1969, in South Central Los Angeles. His parents are Doris, a custodian and hospital clerk, and Hosea Jackson, a UCLA groundskeeper. Having an older brother, Ice Cube tragically lost his half-sister to a violent incident when he was just 12. Growing up on Van Wick Street in Los Angeles, he began writing rap and hip-hop music at the young age of 14. Ice Cube’s rapper moniker originated from his older brother’s humorous threat to freeze him like an ice cube, and the nickname stuck.

Ice Cube attended William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California. At the age of 16, he sold his first song to future N.W.A. member Eazy-E. Following high school, he pursued architectural drafting at the Phoenix Institute of Technology in Arizona in the autumn of 1987, earning his diploma within a year. Subsequently, Ice Cube returned to Los Angeles to pursue a rap career.

Early Career

Ice Cube collaborated with his friend Sir Jinx to form the group C.I.A. and performed at L.A. parties hosted by Dr. Dre. In 1987, Ice Cube and C.I.A. released a track produced by Dr. Dre titled “My Posse.” Despite Eazy-E’s initial dislike for the lyrical content of Ice Cube’s rap, “Boyz-n-the-Hood,” Eazy-E eventually recorded the song for N.W.A.’s debut album, “N.W.A. and the Posse,” featuring Dr. Dre, MC Ren, DJ Yella, and Ice Cube. Ice Cube was the primary lyricist for Dr. Dre and Eazy-E and contributed extensively to the lyrics on the group’s seminal album, 1988’s “Straight Outta Compton.” However, following payment disagreements and contractual disputes, Ice Cube parted ways with N.W.A.

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Solo Career

His debut solo album, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” released in May 1990, achieved immediate success, riding the wave of rap’s burgeoning popularity. The same year, he launched the EP “Kill at Will,” the first hip-hop EP to attain Platinum status. Ice Cube made his acting debut in 1991, starring as Doughboy in John Singleton’s crime drama “Boyz n the Hood,” garnering universal acclaim.

“Death Certificate,” his second album, stirred controversy upon its release in 1991, dividing audiences and critics alike. Ice Cube broadened his fanbase by performing at Lollapalooza in 1992. The following year, he unveiled “The Predator,” his third album, which debuted at #1 on both the pop and R&B charts, a historic achievement. The album was well-received and remains his highest-selling release, with over three million copies sold in the U.S.

However, Ice Cube witnessed a decline in his rap following with his fourth album, “Lethal Injection,” receiving a lukewarm reception from critics. Taking a hiatus from music, he did not release his fifth album (“War & Peace Vol. 1”) until 1998. In 2000, Ice Cube joined Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Snoop Dogg for the “Up in Smoke Tour” and delayed releasing another album until 2006’s “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” debuting at #4 on the “Billboard” charts. “I Am the West,” his ninth solo album, hit the shelves on September 28, 2010. Ice Cube collaborated on diverse projects throughout the 2010s, including ventures outside hip-hop with artists like Trent Reznor and David Bowie. His tenth solo album, “Everythang’s Corrupt,” was released in 2018 after a gradual release of singles over several years.

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Acting Career

In 1991, Ice Cube ventured into film acting with his debut in “Boyz n the Hood.” Over the subsequent years, he featured in multiple films. A highlight came in 1995 with the release of “Friday,” a film that Ice Cube starred in, wrote, and produced, achieving both critical and commercial acclaim.

Producing several sequels was “Friday.”

A star in “Anaconda” in 1997, he then directed, produced, wrote and starred in “The Players Club” in 1998.

Ice Cube’s filmography includes “Are We There Yet” and its sequel, “21 Jump Street” along with “22 Jump Street”, “xXx: Return of Xander Cage”, and “Fist Fight.” Also, he was the producer behind the N.W.A. biopic “Straight Outta Compton” in 2015, where his son O’Shea Jr. depicted him in the movie.

October 2021 disclosed Ice Cube’s decision to depart from the comedy film “Oh Hell No” due to declining a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine required for filming in Hawaii, resulting in forfeiting a $9 million salary.

Other Ventures

Occurring in 1996, Ice Cube formed Westside Connection with Mack 10 and WC, releasing two collaborative albums.

In the realm of fashion, Ice Cube introduced his clothing line, Solo by Cube, offering hooded sweatshirts equipped with built-in headphones. Moreover, he endorsed Coors Light beer in 2011. On January 11, 2017, Big3, a professional basketball league featuring former NBA players, was revealed by Ice Cube.

Ice Cube’s collaboration with Jesse Collins in 2023 unveiled plans for a Big3 sports league docuseries produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment to depict the league’s ascension to one of the largest globally.

Personal Life

On April 26, 1992, Ice Cube tied the knot with Kimberly Woodruff. Together, they have five children: O’Shea Jr. (b. 1991), Darrell (b. 1992), Karima (b. 1994), Deja (b. 1994), and Shareef (b. 1995). Jordan is Ice Cube’s granddaughter.

During an interview with Ice Cube on NPR’s “Fresh Air” in January 2005, host Terry Gross inquired about his children’s exposure to his music. Ice Cube emphasized instilling self-respect in his kids and guiding them on interpreting media content, including the news. Regarding profanity, Ice Cube stressed teaching his children the proper context for language use and showing respect by being cautious around adults.

Real Estate

In May 2016, Ice Cube acquired a $7.25 million home in Marina Del Rey, previously owned by Jean-Claude Van Damme. The renowned artist and his wife also own a lavish estate in Encino, purchased in June 1996. This estate spans 1.11 acres with a main house offering seven bedrooms, a pool, spa, and full-size basketball court.