Ice Cube Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Ice Cube’s Net Worth?

With a net worth of $160 million, Ice Cube is a prominent American rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur. He has transitioned from being one of the pioneers of West Coast gangsta rap to becoming one of Hollywood’s most influential figures today. Ice Cube first gained recognition and wealth as a member of N.W.A. before launching a very successful solo career and becoming involved in various film writing, producing, and starring roles.

His rise to fame began as part of the revolutionary hip-hop group N.W.A., where he was instrumental as one of the main songwriters. The group’s albums, known for their sharp and often controversial lyrics, were key in bringing gangsta rap into the mainstream and had a lasting impact on the hip-hop scene.

Following his departure from N.W.A. in 1989, Ice Cube began a solo career that further solidified his influence in hip-hop culture. His first solo project, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” came out in 1990, gaining both commercial success and acclaim for its incisive social and political messages. Subsequent albums like “Death Certificate” and “The Predator” delved into issues of social justice, racial disparities, and urban life.

Ice Cube also successfully transitioned into acting, making his feature film debut in 1991’s “Boyz n the Hood,” directed by John Singleton, where he delivered a compelling performance that opened up more roles for him. He also played a key role in creating and starring in “Friday” (1995), a comedy that has since become a cult classic. His filmography includes various genres such as action (“xXx: State of the Union”), family comedy (“Are We There Yet?”), and drama (“Barbershop”).

As a producer and writer, Ice Cube has made notable contributions. He has produced several films in which he acted, and his production company, Cube Vision, has been responsible for numerous successful projects in both film and television.

Early Life

Born O’Shea Jackson on June 15, 1969, in South Central Los Angeles, Ice Cube is the son of Doris, a hospital clerk and custodian, and Hosea Jackson, a groundskeeper at UCLA. He has an older brother and suffered the tragic loss of his half-sister when he was just 12 years old. Ice Cube grew up on Van Wick Street in Los Angeles and began crafting rap and hip-hop lyrics by the age of 14. The name Ice Cube was given to him by his older brother, who jokingly said he would put him in a freezer and take him out as an ice cube.

His education took him to William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California. At 16, he wrote his first song, which was sold to future N.W.A. member Eazy-E. After graduating, he attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology in Arizona in the fall of 1987, where he studied architectural drafting and obtained his diploma within a year. He then returned to Los Angeles to follow his passion for rap.

Early Career

Ice Cube formed a group called C.I.A. with his friend Sir Jinx, performing at local parties in L.A. organized by Dr. Dre. In 1987, he and C.I.A. released a track titled “My Posse,” which was produced by Dr. Dre. Ice Cube also shared his rap lyrics for “Boyz-n-the-Hood” with Eazy-E, who initially disliked them.

Initially, Eazy-E went on to record a track for “N.W.A. and the Posse,” which marked the debut album for N.W.A., featuring artists like Dr. Dre, MC Ren, DJ Yella, and Ice Cube. Ice Cube was the mastermind behind the rhymes for both Dr. Dre and Eazy-E, contributing to half of the lyrics for the landmark 1988 album, “Straight Outta Compton.” Despite his significant input, he was only compensated $32,000. Following unresolved disputes regarding his pay and official contracts, Ice Cube decided to part ways with N.W.A.

Solo Career

In May 1990, Ice Cube released his debut solo album, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” achieving immediate success thanks to the burgeoning popularity of rap music at that time. That same year, he launched the EP “Kill at Will,” which made history as the first hip-hop EP to achieve Platinum status. In 1991, he showcased his acting talents by taking on the role of Doughboy in John Singleton’s film “Boyz n the Hood,” receiving widespread acclaim for his performance.

His second album, “Death Certificate,” hit the shelves in 1991 and stirred controversy, generating mixed reactions from both audiences and critics. Ice Cube expanded his reach as he performed at Lollapalooza in 1992, attracting a broader fanbase. Later that year, he released “The Predator,” his third album, which debuted at #1 on both the pop and R&B charts, a historic first. The album received favorable reviews, solidifying its place as his most commercially successful release with over three million copies sold in the U.S.

However, the following year saw a decline in Ice Cube’s rap audience. His fourth album, “Lethal Injection,” met with poor critical reception. After taking a break from music, he eventually returned in 1998 with his fifth album titled “War & Peace Vol. 1.” In 2000, Ice Cube joined forces with Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Snoop Dog on the “Up in Smoke Tour.” He would then take another six years before launching “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” which grasped the #4 position on the “Billboard” charts. On September 28, 2010, he released “I Am the West,” his ninth solo effort. Throughout the 2010s, Ice Cube collaborated on various projects across different genres, including working with Trent Reznor and David Bowie. In 2018, after a slow rollout of singles over several years, he released his tenth solo album, “Everythang’s Corrupt.”

Acting Career

Ice Cube ventured into acting with his debut performance in the 1991 film “Boyz n the Hood.” Over the subsequent years, he appeared in a number of films. In 1995, he starred in “Friday,” a film that…

Released to critical and commercial acclaim, the film – which starred, was written by, and produced by Ice Cube – led to the creation of several sequels, including “Friday.”

In 1997, he took on a role in “Anaconda,” and in 1998, he both directed and starred in “The Players Club,” in addition to writing and producing it.

Among Ice Cube’s filmography are titles like “Are We There Yet” and its sequel, as well as “21 Jump Street,” “22 Jump Street,” “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” and “Fist Fight.” Additionally, he served as a producer for the 2015 N.W.A. biopic “Straight Outta Compton,” where his son O’Shea Jr. portrayed him.

It was disclosed in October 2021 that Ice Cube opted out of an upcoming comedy production titled “Oh Hell No” after he refused to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, which was a requirement due to the filming location in Hawaii. By exiting the film, Cube forfeited a salary of $9 million.

Other Ventures

In 1996, Ice Cube formed Westside Connection with Mack 10 and WC, releasing two albums through this collaboration.

Ice Cube also launched a clothing line called Solo by Cube, featuring hooded sweatshirts equipped with built-in headphones. Furthermore, he became the face of Coors Light beer in 2011. On January 11, 2017, he introduced his new venture, Big3, a professional basketball league that showcases former NBA stars. The inaugural season kicked off in June 2017.

In 2023, it was revealed that Ice Cube collaborated with Jesse Collins to develop a documentary series for Jesse Collins Entertainment, aimed at recounting the success of the Big3 league and its evolution into a premier sports entity worldwide.

Personal Life

Ice Cube wed Kimberly Woodruff on April 26, 1992. Together, they have five children: O’Shea Jr. (born 1991), Darrell (born 1992), Karima (born 1994), Deja (born 1994), and Shareef (born 1995). Additionally, Ice Cube has a granddaughter named Jordan.

During an NPR “Fresh Air” interview with Terry Gross in January 2005, Ice Cube was asked if he permitted his children to listen to his music. He replied, “What’s worked for me is instilling in my kids a level of self-respect and helping them to understand the content of not just music but the violence found on the evening news.” When asked about discussing profanity with his children, he mentioned that he advises them there are suitable times for any kind of language, but they should avoid using certain words around adults out of respect.

Real Estate

Ice Cube acquired a residence in Marina Del Rey, California, for $7.25 million in May 2016. He purchased the property from Jean-Claude Van Damme, who had bought it for $6 million in 2012 as a new spec mansion. Ice Cube and his wife also own a large mansion situated in Encino, California, which they purchased in June 1996 for $2.36 million. This estate spans 1.11 acres and includes a nearly 8,000-square-foot main house with seven bedrooms, as well as amenities like a pool, spa, and full-size basketball court.