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Chin Check Ice Cube is Even Better After All These Years

Leading up to the production of Boyz N The Hood, the young John based on the film of the same name in which Ice Cube played the Singleton had one person in mind he thought would be perfect to lead character, which was recently given a 90-episode extension. portray Darrin “Doughboy” Baker: one O’ Shea Jackson — better While TV may be Ice Cube’s day job, he does have a few passion known as Ice Cube. Doughboy was from the streets of South Central projects. Getting back in the director’s chair has been something and grew up in a place where colors represented sides in a war that Ice Cube has been meaning to do, but he understands that directing was consuming the streets, a chaotic life that eventually turned a feature does have it’s burdens — especially for someone who him into a battle-tested street vet. likes to have their hands in so many different projects. “I haven’t As it turns out, Singleton couldn’t have cast a better person directed in a while because when you direct, it really locks you into for the role. The parallels between Doughboy and Ice Cube are one project for that year,” he says. significant, and when explaining his prep for the film in 1991, he The movie he is looking to direct (which he also wrote) is a story told New York Times reporter Kristine McKenna, “I didn’t have about LA custom car culture entitled Chrome and Paint. It centers to do nothing because this film is about the life I’ve lived. I was a around a youngster from the streets who has a dream of putting a lot like Doughboy when I was growing up — I did stuff I shouldn’t car together which he thinks will “make his life.” Ice Cube describes even talk about.” the film as a modern-day story of materialism and the human At the time, Ice Cube was more serious about his budding condition. “It’s a strong, powerful piece and I want to direct it,” he solo career, having recently left iconic gangsta rap outfit says. “I don’t really like being locked into one project, but the only N.W.A., but in recent years, he has shifted gears. Presently, he way this movie gets done right is if I direct it.” is the executive producer of Are We There Yet? on TBS, a series Chrome and Paint may be Ice Cube’s next directorial effort, but

94 April 2011 / 944.com his production company, Cube Vision, is also in the early stages of putting together Straight Outta Compton, a biopic about the life and times of N.W.A. “The N.W.A. project, of course, is a dream project that is definitely something close to my heart,” Ice Cube says. He stresses that this film must be done in a way that ensures the legacy of the iconic group and that every surviving member’s recollections during those times must be documented to ensure the story is told accurately. “To think that I am actually producing a movie about myself, in a way, it’s trippy and it’s kinda like I gotta make sure it’s done right and we gotta make sure that N.W.A.’s legacy is not just personal records,” he says. Even with Ice Cube’s attention focused on the production of his TV show, he does have a role in the upcoming reboot of 21 Jump Street and is reuniting with director David O. Russell for an as-of-yet untitled crime film. For Ice Cube, though, he prefers records on a major label, but his last three albums have been released to be onstage rather than in front of the camera. “As an emcee, I independently, with the most recent being 2010’s I Am the West. can do what I want to do,” he says. “As an actor, you gotta stick to Things are much easier when “you don’t have the pressure of you the script.” When asked if the comparison between acting and gotta come up with something that is played over a 1,000 times on emceeing was close he replies, “The comparison between the two the radio [...] — all that record companies care about,” says Ice Cube. is not even close. It’s the equivalent of riding a roller coaster and In trying to cultivate radio-friendly hits, Ice Cube’s approach to taking a picture of a roller coaster.” writing was compromised, but he understood the need to stay true Ice Cube’s raw energy as a performer and his skills as a lyricist to his vision and always kept his fans in mind. “When [what the have kept him more than relevant in today’s rap game. He is a well- record company wants] is hanging over your head, when you go respected emcee and remains in the conversation when discussing into the studio to write something pure from your heart, it taints the best of the best of West Coast rap. For years, Ice Cube released it,” he says. “What I do is do music that I feel, that I feel that Ice Cube’s audience wanna hear — not just radio [hits] for people who listen to the radio.” In late February, Ice Cube hit the road, promising to perform the classics along with some newer cuts. On April 1, he performed at the City National Grove of Anaheim. When asked if he had any memories or experiences about Orange County, Ice Cube replied with a chuckle, “I went to jail in Orange County for four days,” and cautions, “Don’t get lost leaving the Disneyland area — you will get jacked by the Anaheim police.” Tales of incarceration behind the Orange Curtain aside, Ice Cube has kept his game in check and continues to be a force in the entertainment business. Realizing that his acting career can be more lucrative than his musical career, Ice Cube considers himself blessed that he can exist in both worlds. “There is a world of possibilities that an actor could achieve that a musician can’t,” he says. “So, as a creative person, producing is the most fulfilling part of the movie and TV industry, but as an entertainer at heart, being onstage and getting in front of the audience — there is just nothing you can do to beat that.” Check yourself before you wreck yourself: icecube.com

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