AI or (artificial intelligence) generated music, especially in Hip Hop, has created quite a stir among fans and artists alike. With producers such as Timbaland praising the new technological advance, AI as all but guaranteed itself a place in the future of Hip Hop production, however, West Coast rap legend Ice Cube says that if his voice is ever used, expect to meet him in court.
In an interview on the ‘Full Send’ Podcast, Cube was asked his thoughts on the Drake’s A.I. version of Ice Spice’s “Munch” and he responded, “I don’t want to hear an AI Drake song. I don’t want to hear that bulls**t. He should sue whoever made it.And I’m gonna sue the muthaf**kas who make it, too, and the people behind the platform who play it. It’s like a sample. Somebody can’t take your original voice and manipulate it without having to pay.”
Ice Cube does not co-sign the use of AI in hip-hop, however.
The iconic West Coast rapper visited the Full Send Podcast last week and was asked about “this new wave of rappers,” teeing him up to give a scathing review of AI.
Ice Cube’s thoughtful response began at the 47:35 mark:
“I like the beats. The artists are getting lost in autotunes, and now that you have an AI computer, I think people don’t want a computerized rapper no more. They want to hear your voice. I don’t know any rappers by they voice no more. I used to know all the rappers just – hear they voice, know who that is.
I think they need to figure out how to put that autotune down, and we need to hear what people sound like and if they’re as good because I think AI is demonic. I think AI is gonna get a backlash from real people — real, organic people — and so I think artists need to go back to using their real voice and making sure people know this is authentic and not made from a computer.”
When asked whether he was implying all artists now use AI, Ice Cube clarified, “I think autotune sounds computer-like, and I think it’s all starting to sound artificial because of AI.”
In case there was any remaining confusion regarding Ice Cube’s stance on AI, he later plainly stated: “I don’t want to hear an AI Drake song. I don’t want to hear that bullsh*t, and he should sue whoever made it.”
And if anyone dares to make an AI Ice Cube song, “I’m gonna sue the motherf*cker who make it, too, and the platform that plays it.”
Sting and will.i.am are among other artists who have shared their opinions on AI.
While the recent advancements in technology certainly have their benefits, it’s hard to deny that some of them are terrifying. Over the past few months, an increased number of artificial intelligence-generated music has been coming to the forefront, whether in the form of artists covering unlikely songs (such as Drake on Ice Spice’s “Munch (Feelin’ U)”) or using the voices of dead rhymers to cover tracks from other artists made long after their passing. We’ve heard several public figures using their platform to voice the dangers of AI. The latest is Ice Cube, who candidly shared his opinion during this past Friday’s (May 19) episode of the Full Send podcast.
After one of the hosts asked the NWA alum if he heard the recently circulating The Weeknd and Drake AI collaboration, Cube made it abundantly clear that he “doesn’t want to hear” such things. When it was argued that “everyone on the internet” has been listening to the track, the Californian shot back, “Yeah, I don’t wanna hear that bullshit. He should sue whoever made it.” When it was suggested that the technology is coming for his career too, he made it known that he won’t hesitate to take legal action against anyone who tries.
“Yeah, and I’mma sue the muthaf*cka who made it and the people and the platform who play it,” the “No Vaseline” hitmaker declared. “It’s like a sample, you know what I mean? Somebody can’t take your original voice and manipulate it without having to pay.”
As HipHopDX notes, others who have spoken out about their issues with AI lately include will.i.am. “We all have voices, and everyone’s compromised because there are no rights or ownership to your facial math or your voice frequency,” he told DJ Whoo Kid on SiriusXM, addressing the dangers that face everyday people too. “So, forget songs. Banks. People calling up your bank pretending to be you.”
Tap into Ice Cube’s entire conversation with the Full Send podcast below. Do you agree with his stance on artificial intelligence in music? Let us know in the comments, and tap back in with HNHH later for more pop culture news updates.
It’s been 33 years since Ice Cube turned the hip-hop world on its head with his debut studio album, Amerikkka’s Most Wanted. With hip-hop reaching its 50th anniversary in 2023, the album is one of the genre’s most influential. After his sudden fallout with N.W.A., there were overarching doubts about whether or not Ice Cube would be able to succeed as a solo act. In fact, this was a question that fans had of every group member. The five core members had struck a seamless balance. The teams’ two albums had piloted N.W.A. to the top of hip-hop. A combination of Ice Cube feeling he was being cheated out of his royalties and an innate desire to go off on his own would lead him to be the first to leave the iconic group.
However, Amerikkka’s Most Wanted did anything but silence the hip-hop world. Cube became public enemy number one after its release. He dropped various damning bars surrounding his experience with N.W.A. throughout the project. To be fair, Ice Cube’s groundbreaking responses throughout his debut solo album were justified. N.W.A. attacked first, going after Cube on “100 Miles and Runnin’.” The 20-year-old Los Angeles rapper blew things up with his response, purposefully making the most outlandish statements from “Once Upon a Time in the Projects” to “Who’s the Mack?”
The Project Was More Than An Attack On N.W.A.
Ice Cube at his home in Santa Monica, California, December 10, 1991. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
Without his right-hand man Dr. Dre on production credits, Ice Cube was forced to look elsewhere to find an equally talented producer. He would find that person in Sir Jinx, who Ice Cube had already been collaborating with throughout the ’80s. However, he would change the hip-hop game forever by looking towards New York to complete the project. He would discover The Bomb Squad, the production team behind the rap group The Public Enemy. He headed to New York City to load up an attack on his ex-rap squad. However, Amerikkka’s Most Wanted was more multi-faceted than an attack on N.W.A. Like his work with N.W.A., he touches on boiling political topics from a street man’s perspective throughout the project.
Ice Cube revels in the antagonist world that he curates throughout the project, solidifying the record’s timelessness. Outside of his attacks on N.W.A., he’s rapping about the world of paranoia that he exists in. Surrounded by women, drugs, and violence, he’s looking to cocoon himself into the funk-based beats on Amerikkka’s Most Wanted. “What I was trying to get across was a true definition of street knowledge, where you can bump my record but you can learn from it, too.” The record’s tone is a “me against the world” mentality. Shunned by the his group, Ice Cube emerged as focused and introspective as ever.
Ice Cube Blended East & West Coast Rap
Released on May 16, 1990, Amerikkka’s Most Wanted immediately shook up the hip-hop world. Fans eagerly anticipated a response from N.W.A., shocked at Ice Cube’s inability to mince his words. However, it wasn’t only the beef between the two parties that gripped the audience. Ice Cube commanded the record seamlessly, proving that he could create timeless music without his musical protege on the other side of the United States. The funk-infused project took over car radios through the summer of the ’90s, peaking at No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 200 charts.
Amerikkka’s Most Wanted was groundbreaking on a deeper level than solely from a lyrical perspective. Ice Cube was one of the first MCs to blend the worlds of California and New York sonically. While his trademark California flow remained unchanged, he did it over beats from Sir Jinx and The Bomb Squad. For the most part, MCs had been releasing projects that pulled from one area or another, striving to prove that their sound beat out the others. Everything about Amerikkka’s Most Wanted prompted fans to see hip-hop in a new light, analyzing the genre from a narrative perspective.
“Amerikkka’s Most Wanted” Changed Hip-Hop
While N.W.A. would eventually all go their separate ways, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre would lead the most successful solo careers. The two would each eventually venture out into the world of film. The group’s rise and fall would subsequently be depicted on the film screen with Straight Outta Compton. The movie would become best known for depicting Eazy-E’s AIDS diagnosis, signifying a stark end to arguably the most talented rapper out of the group. With time, the group’s members have overcome their differences. In fact, Dr, Dre and Ice Cube continue to collaborate on both a musical and a film front to this day. Looking back on the past 50 years of hip-hop, Amerikkka’s Most Wanted should be remembered as a record that encouraged artists to speak up rather than an indictment on N.W.A.
On this day in Hip Hop history, 33 years ago, Ice Cube released his debut solo album Amerikkka’s Most Wanted. Following the tragic breakup of N.W.A., this album’s unexpected commercial and critical success set the tone for Ice Cube’s solo career and was also a launching pad toward success.
Being able to peak at #19 on the Billboard 200 and be certified platinum in the year if it’s released, all while staying true to the hardcore gangsta sound that is prevalent in all of his other work shows, since the beginning, Ice Cube has been a force to be reckoned with. His lyrical style and choice of subject matter force the commercial music world to be comfortable with a narrative uncommon to most of those who would consider themselves fans of the work. With this album, Ice Cube can paint a vivid and accurate picture of his particular experiences as an artist in making it out of Compton yet still thriving as a product of the said environment.
Unlike his previous NWA cuts, Ice Cube can get a little more theatrical with the delivery of his message while remaining just as straightforward. From the project’s title to the outro, it is prominent that Ice Cube had no intention of sugar-coating what he had to say. The violently righteous theme of this album shook the rap world showing a more militant side to the consciousness movement going on in the early 1990s. Cube even worked with Public Enemy’s production team, The Bomb Squad, to harness the high-energy sound paired perfectly with his flow.
Critically, this album is held on a pedestal with some of the best-selling and most respected projects in Hip Hop. It has been ranked on a plethora of “Best of All Time” and “Best of the 1990s” lists by publications in the US, Canada, and Europe. The album has been awarded 5 out of 5 ratings from The Source, Rolling Stone, Allmusic, and The Austin Chronicle.
Following this album, Ice Cube grew to be the mega-star he is today. He released eight solo studio albums and has no plans on stopping anytime soon. He also took his talent to the screen as an actor, writer, and director.
Kevin Hart was the most recent guest on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, and it of course ensued with some hilarity. However, the actor put the jokes slightly aside for a second to talk about rapper, actor, and multi-hyphenate pop culture icon Ice Cube and their relationship. Moreover, Hart expressed a lot of admiration for the West Coast legend, which actually had nothing to do with his accolades and industry experience. Instead, he chose to focus on his good-natured spirit and his on-set professionalism. Overall, it seems like the Ride Along co-stars are quite the dynamic duo, even if Cube apparently didn’t return the sentiment.
“Cube might be one of the most genuine, kindest spirits that you can be around,” Kevin Hart said of Ice Cube. “He wants nothing but good for other people. He loves to see the people around him succeed- he’s such a creative mind. That’s all he does. He loves the foundation of creativity and is one of the most professional people I’ve worked with on set.” Still, the podcast hosts joked that the N.W.A. pioneer might not be rocking with him in the same way.
Kevin Hart Praises Ice Cube On Impaulsive
“He did not talk about you like that,” they told Kevin Hart. “It was the complete opposite.” Despite the pushback, the comedian did not let that take away from his testimony or from their close ties. “Yeah, it’s gotta be the interview,” he theorized, saying that they must not have been “good” questions if they led Ice Cube down that path. In addition, the podcasters asked Hart whether his evolving friendship with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson somehow affected his relationship with the “Check Yo Self” rapper.
“This is ridiculous,” Hart laughed off. “What are you talking about? Cube is one of my best friends in the business- everybody knows that. Everybody knows that about me and Cube.” Meanwhile, another rap star in the Night School actor’s corner is Method Man, who he recently interviewed. They actually spoke at length on mental health, particularly Mef’s, in what came out to be an enlightening conversation. For more news on Kevin Hart and the latest updates on Ice Cube, stay posted on HNHH.
From his early days as a member of the pioneering rap group NWA to his successful acting and producing career, Ice Cube has built an impressive empire. But, what is his net worth in 2023? Let’s dive into the various aspects of his career that have contributed to his massive fortune.
The net worth of Ice Cube is estimated to be around $160 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Ice Cube: A Pioneering Rap Career
(Photo by Pool ARNAL/GARCIA/PICOT/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
His career began as a member of NWA, which was formed in the mid-1980s. The group is credited with popularizing gangsta rap, and their debut album, Straight Outta Compton, remains a classic. Ice Cube was a key player in writing the lyrics for many of their songs, and his contributions significantly impacted the group’s success.
After leaving NWA, Cube embarked on a successful solo career. His debut album, AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted, was released in 1990 and was a commercial and critical success. Over the years, he has released several more albums, with many of them achieving gold or platinum status. Ice Cube’s music career has played a significant role in building his net worth.
A Thriving Acting and Producing Career
(Photo by Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic)
Ice Cube made his acting debut in 1991 with Boyz n the Hood. His performance as Doughboy was widely praised, and this opened the doors for more acting opportunities. Cube went on to star in several successful film franchises, such as Friday, Barbershop, and Are We There Yet? These box office successes contributed to his ever-growing fortune.
In addition to his acting career, Ice Cube has also found success as a film producer. He co-founded Cube Vision, a production company responsible for movies like Straight Outta Compton and Ride Along. As a producer, Cube has been able to leverage his industry knowledge and connections to create profitable projects, further increasing his net worth.
Business Ventures And Endorsements
(Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images for BIG3)
Ice Cube’s entrepreneurial spirit is another factor contributing to his wealth. He co-founded the BIG3, a professional 3-on-3 basketball league featuring former NBA players. The league has attracted significant attention and lucrative sponsorship deals since its inception in 2017.
Moreover, Cube has been involved in various endorsement deals throughout his career. He has collaborated with companies like Coors Light and St. Ides, lending his image and voice to their advertising campaigns. These partnerships have provided additional income streams, bolstering his net worth.
Ice Cube: Real Estate Investments
(Photo by Dave Simpson/WireImage)
Like many celebrities, Ice Cube has invested in real estate to grow his wealth. Over the years, he has purchased several properties, including a $7.25 million mansion in the prestigious area of Marinda Del Rey, California. These real estate investments have undoubtedly contributed to his net worth.
Philanthropy and Giving Back
(Photo by Michael Bezjian/Getty Images for Black Santa/BIG3)
Despite his significant wealth, Ice Cube has not forgotten the importance of giving back to his community. He has been involved in various philanthropic efforts, such as providing scholarships and supporting youth programs in underprivileged areas. While these efforts may not directly contribute to his net worth, they demonstrate his commitment to using his success for the greater good.
Conclusion/TLDR
In conclusion, Cube’s net worth of $160 million in 2023 is a testament to his diverse and successful career. From his pioneering rap beginnings to his thriving acting and producing career, as well as his entrepreneurial ventures and real estate investments, Ice Cube has built an impressive fortune that continues to grow.
Kevin Hart surely loves Ice Cube. Pulling up on Jake Paul’s Impaulsive podcast, Kevin Hart connected with Jake on their experiences with the Hip-Hop icon before Hart dived into an outpour of compliments on the rapper.
“Cube may be one of the most genuine, kindest spirits that you can be around,” Hart said. He wants nothing but good for other people. He loves to see the people around him succeed. He’s such a creative mind.”
On that creativity, Ice Cube is producing and starring in an unscripted series about his Big 3 professional basketball league. Ice Cube’s BIG3 Basketball League is recognized as the first professional black-owned sports league. Unlike NBA games, BIG3 matches are half-court competitions in which the teams compete to reach 50 points and must win by at least two points with a 14-second shot clock.
Deadline Reports:
Ice Cube is teaming with Jesse Collins Entertainment on a sports docuseries revolving around his successful Big3 sports league. Ice Cube will star in and produce via his Cube Vision with Jesse Collins Entertainment.
The as-yet-untitled series will take an unprecedented look at the making of one of the fastest-growing new leagues in the United States, the Big3, as Ice Cube defies the NBA on its quest to become one of the biggest sports leagues in the world.
Described as Welcome to Wrexham and Cheer meets Basketball, the series will be dual-narrative following Cube and the challenges of building a new basketball league from the ground up, as well as the journey of one of the Big3 teams, as they navigate the ups and downs of a grueling season in pursuit of a national championship. Big3’s widely covered $1.2 billion lawsuit against Qatari investors will also be covered in the series.
Diss tracks have always been an inherent nature of the hip-hop industry. In the early ’90s, the beginnings of the East Coast vs. West Coast rap beef took place. Death Row Records was at odds with Bad Boy, playing an integral role in the growing animosity at the time. With many MCs making it out of difficult childhood circumstances, the battle to make it to the top of rap is a cut-throat one. Several of the greatest rappers aren’t afraid to tone down their words, which has resulted in plenty of iconic diss tracks throughout the years. Today, we’re looking at the best diss tracks of all time, in no particular order.
9. “Ether” – Nas (2001)
Who’s the greatest MC out of New York? It’s a question that spans multiple decades, with Nas and Jay-Z consistently at the top of lists. The two had been close friends in the mid-1990s. However, they would begin to beef about who was the greatest and who deserved more respect in the industry. By 2001, this tension had reached its boiling point. While Jay-Z released “Takeover,” Nas responded with “Ether,” widely regarded as one of the greatest diss tracks ever. On the track, Nas aimed Jay-Z’s appearance, career, and personal life. He stated, “Well, life is harsh, hug me, don’t reject me or make records to disrespect me, blatant or indirectly.”
8. “Takeover” – Jay-Z (2001)
Jay-Z took direct shots at New York heavy hitters Nas and Mobb Deep on “Takeover.” The Kanye West-produced track was featured on The Blueprint, a record that changed hip-hop landscape for good. Jay-Z accused Nas of dropping a slew of mediocre albums after the critically acclaimed Illmatic. He stated, “One was nah, other was Illmatic / That’s one hot album every ten-year average.” In fact, Jay-Z went as far as to call Nas “straight garbage.” In addition to being a lyrically masterful song, “Takeover” was a commercial and critical success, solidifying Jay as one of the biggest MCs. While the two ended their beef in 2005, their nearly decade-long riff remains an iconic era in hip-hop history.
With hip-hop now an aspect of worldwide culture, the East Coast vs. West Coast beef that took over the scene no longer exists. However, this wasn’t the case when Tupac released “Hit Em Up.” You had the likes of Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and Tupac against Jay-Z, Nas, and Biggie. With two distinctive sounds, the competitiveness between the regions sprouted an iconic era in the genre. “Hit Em Up” was a heavy attack on Notorious B.I.G and Bad Boy Records, as 2Pac insults their image and romanticization of violence.
Widely hailed as the greatest diss track of all time, “No Vaseline” set the standard. The diss was directed at NWA, Ice Cube’s former rap group. As documented, Cube didn’t believe he was being adequately compensated, leading to him leaving NWA. Eazy-E and Cube would be at odds, often taking their grievances to the studio.
“No Vaseline” helped to solidify Ice Cube’s legacy as an iconic MC. Taking aim at the likes of Dr. Dre and Eazy-E, he claims that the group betrayed him and held him back. Despite the aggressive bars, Cube and Eazy were said to have mended fences just prior to the latter’s death. In an interview with Howard Stern in 2016, he stated, “We just went forward. We’re always gonna be like that. I don’t care if we don’t talk to each other for 10 years. When we see each other, it’s gonna be like yesterday.”
5. “The Story of Adidon” – Pusha T (2018)
The beef between Drake and Pusha T indirectly began before Drake’s career took off. Back in 2006, Pusha T took shots at Lil Wayne after he was seen sporting BAPE, Clipse’s signature look, in a magazine. With Drake and Lil Wayne later becoming consistent collaborators, it’s argued that the Toronto-born MC was influenced by Wayne’s opinion of Pusha.
After a series of subtle disses over a decade, the beef culminated with Pusha T’s “The Story of Adidon.” The ex-Clipse act spent no time numbing his words, exposing the existence of Drake’s kid while once again accusing him of having ghostwriters. Drake addressed the diss on Lebron James’ HBO Show, The Shop, stating, “I knew something was gonna come up about my kid. They had to add the deadbeat dad thing to make it more appealing.” Re-using the instrumental from Jay-Z’s “The Story of O.J.,” “The Story of Adidon” is the defining diss track of the Gen-Z generation.
4. “Back Down” – 50 Cent (2003)
While 50 Cent has had his fair share of feuds, there’s none more iconic than his decade-long beef with Ja Rule. The two Queens-born artists began beefing in the late ’90s when Ja was reportedly robbed at gunpoint by a group of men affiliated with 50 Cent. Believing that 50 was behind the robbery, he began to dish out insults in a slew of diss tracks. Over the next five years, the two would exchange jabs at each other.
However, “Back Down” by 50 Cent is arguably the defining diss between the two. His debut album, Get Rich or Die Tryin’, featured the iconic song. The Dr. Dre-produced track saw him question Ja’s street credibility and authenticity throughout. “Back Down” would become one of the most popular tracks off of the No. 1 project. Over the years, the beef has only grown as Ja and Fif continue to take jabs at one another.
3. “Killshot” by Eminem (2018)
While Eminem’s career has been up and down over the past decade, “Killshot” is undeniably an iconic moment from the 8 Mile MC. Released in September 2018, the track features his trademark menacing and rapid flow directed at Machine Gun Kelly. MGK’s previous diss track, “Rap Devil,” was confusing because he was complimenting and dissing the legendary artist. Eminem addresses this in “Killshot,” stating, “Wait, you just dissed me? I’m perplexed / Insult me in a line, compliment me on the next.”
The bad blood between the two started back in 2012. MGK made a comment directed at Eminem’s daughter. He would continue taking shots at Eminem over the next five years until Em finally responded. On “Killshot,” Eminem directly insults MGK’s appearance and lack of commercial success in the hip-hop lane. This beef had a clear winner, as MGK later admitted that his loss in the rap battle directed him away from hip-hop for good.
2. “Pest Control” – The Game (2016)
In 2016, The Game and Meek Mill were in a public beef that primarily took place on social media. What initially seemed like a money grab quickly turned into a genuine argument between the two, as The Game accused him of snitching about a robbery at a nightclub. Amid a series of diss tracks between each other, Game would release “Pest Control.” On the track, he once again accused Meek of snitching while also attempting to prove that Mill has ghostwriters. Soon after, Meek would go to prison for violating the probation of a crime he committed at 21. By the time he got out, the beef between them had essentially run its course.
1. “Back to Back” – Drake (2015)
Meek Mill has been the burden of plenty of disses throughout his career. In 2015, Drake responded to Meek Mill’s accusations that he had ghostwriters with the critically acclaimed “Back to Back.” However, Meek’s accusations cut even more profound, considering that he claimed Drake hired ghostwriters for his verse on “R.I.C.O,” a highly successful song off of Meek’s Dreams Worth More than Money. “Back to Back” would reach No. 21 on the Billboard Hot 100. Drake accuses Meek of being all talk, stating, “Trigger fingers turn to Twitter fingers.” The menacing production and smooth bars make it one of the better disses of the last ten years.
Serial entrepreneur Ice Cube is producing and starring in an unscripted series about his Big 3 professional basketball league. Ice Cube’s BIG3 Basketball League is recognized as the first professional black-owned sports league. Unlike NBA games, BIG3 matches are half-court competitions in which the teams compete to reach 50 points and must win by at least two points with a 14-second shot clock.
Deadline Reports:
Ice Cube is teaming with Jesse Collins Entertainment on a sports docuseries revolving around his successful Big3 sports league. Ice Cube will star in and produce via his Cube Vision with Jesse Collins Entertainment.
The as-yet untitled series will take an unprecedented look at the making of one of the fastest growing new leagues in the United States, the Big3, as Ice Cube defies the NBA on its quest to become one of the biggest sports leagues in the world.
Described as Welcome to Wrexham and Cheer meets basketball, the series will be dual-narrative following Cube and the challenges of building a new basketball league from the ground up, as well as the journey of one of the Big3 teams, as they navigate the ups and downs of a grueling season in pursuit of a national championship. Big3’s widely covered $1.2 billion lawsuit against Qatari investors will also be covered in the series.
