Ice Cube
O’Shea Jackson Sr., known as Ice Cube, was born on June 15, 1969, in Los Angeles, California. With an Ice Cube net worth of $160 million, he gained fame as a member of N.W.A and through solo hits like “It Was a Good Day.” He starred in films like the Friday and Barbershop series and produces through Cube Vision. Married to Kimberly Woodruff since 1992, he has five children, including actor O’Shea Jackson Jr.
Ice Cube also co-founded the BIG3 basketball league. He is recognized as a hip-hop pioneer and cultural icon with a successful music and film career.
Key Facts About Ice Cube: Net Worth, Career, Family, and Legacy
| Category | Details |
| Real Name | O’Shea Jackson Sr. |
| Stage Name | Ice Cube |
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1969 |
| Place of Birth | Los Angeles, California, USA |
| Religion | Muslim (raised Christian, mother converted to Islam) |
| Ice Cube Net Worth | $160 million |
| Primary Sources of Wealth | Music royalties, touring & album sales, acting & directing, film producing, TV & voice work, business ventures, BIG3 basketball league |
| Music Career | Member of N.W.A, solo albums, hit songs: “It Was a Good Day,” “No Vaseline,” “Check Yo Self,” “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It” |
| Film Career | Key movies: Friday series, Barbershop series, Are We There Yet?, 21 & 22 Jump Street, Boyz n the Hood; also a producer through Cube Vision |
| Production Company | Cube Vision (est. 1998) – produces movies, TV shows, and soundtracks |
| Children | 5: O’Shea Jackson Jr., Darrell Jackson, Shareef Jackson, Karima Jackson, Deja Jackson |
| Spouse | Kimberly Woodruff (married since 1992) |
| Son’s Career | O’Shea Jackson Jr.: actor, notable for Straight Outta Compton, Den of Thieves, Ingrid Goes West, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Obi-Wan Kenobi |
| BIG3 League | Co-founder of a professional 3-on-3 basketball league, generates revenue through sponsorships, ticket sales, TV rights, and merchandise |
| Tray Story | Not named after an ice cube tray; nickname given by brother. Confusion with Tre character from Boyz n the Hood. |
| Bill Story | Public feuds with Bill O’Reilly and confrontation with Bill Maher (2017) |
| Legacy | Pioneer in hip-hop storytelling, successful crossover to Hollywood, business-minded, cultural icon, continues to influence music, film, and sports |
Ice Cube Net Worth
Ice Cube’s net worth is estimated at around $160 million. He became wealthy because he never relied on just one career. From music to movies to business, he built multiple income streams that continue to grow.
How He Earned His Wealth?
Music Royalties
Ice Cube still earns money from classic N.W.A song and his solo catalog. Tracks like “It Was a Good Day” and “Check Yo Self” are streamed millions of times each month, generating steady royalty income.
Tours and Album Sales
He became a major touring artist, performing worldwide for decades. Many of his albums went platinum, adding millions to his earnings.
Movies and Acting
Ice Cube moved into Hollywood early in his career. He acted in hit films such as Friday, Barbershop, 21 Jump Street, and Are We There Yet. Many of these turned into franchises, giving him long-term profits rather than one-time paychecks.
Cube Vision (His Production Company)
By producing his own movies, Ice Cube earns a share of every film’s profits, TV airings, and streaming rights.
TV and Voice Work
He appears in documentaries, shows, and animated projects, earning SAG-AFTRA royalties and acting fees.
Business Deals and Endorsements
Ice Cube has invested in branding, sponsorships, clothing, and media. His partnerships with major companies add millions to his income.
BIG3 Basketball League
In 2017, Ice Cube co-founded the BIG3, a professional 3-on-3 basketball league. It earns money through ticket sales, sponsorships, TV rights, and global tournaments, giving him one of his most valuable long-term assets.
Why His Net Worth Grows Every Year?
While many artists only earn from touring, Ice Cube owns intellectual property—music, scripts, movie rights, and a sports league. Because of ownership, he earns money even when he is not performing.
In short, Ice Cube is not just a rapper. He is a businessman, movie producer, and investor whose creative work continues to pay him year after year.
Ice Cube’s Real Name
Ice Cube’s real name is O’Shea Jackson Sr.
He got the name “Ice Cube” as a teenager. According to him, his older brother once told him, “If you keep trying to act cool, I’m going to put you in the freezer and pull you out like an ice cube.” The nickname stuck, and it became one of the most iconic names in hip-hop history.
Ice Cube’s Religion: Muslim or Christian?
Ice Cube was raised in a Christian household, and his mother later converted to Islam. In adulthood, he identifies as a Muslim, but he has said in several interviews that he is independent and not part of any formal organization. Ice Cube has stated: “I check all religions out. I just believe in God.”
He keeps his faith personal and quiet rather than seeking public attention.
Ice Cube’s Son: O’Shea Jackson Jr.
Ice Cube’s oldest son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., is a successful actor. His breakout role was in “Straight Outta Compton” (2015), where he played his father. His resemblance and acting performance earned significant praise. O’Shea Jr. has since appeared in:
- Den of Thieves
- Ingrid Goes West
- Godzilla: King of the Monsters
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Cocaine Bear
He is considered one of Hollywood’s rising young actors.
How Many Kids Does Ice Cube Have?
Ice Cube has five children:
- O’Shea Jackson Jr.
- Darrell Jackson
- Shareef Jackson
- Karima Jackson
- Deja Jackson
He has been married to his wife, Kimberly, since 1992.
Early Life
Ice Cube was born on June 15, 1969, in Los Angeles, California. He grew up in South Central Los Angeles, a neighborhood affected by gangs, drugs, and police tension. Rather than fall into crime, he used writing and rap as an outlet. By age 16, he was writing lyrics that later appeared on N.W.A albums.
Ice Cube’s Most Popular Songs
Some of Ice Cube’s most iconic songs include:
- It Was a Good Day
- No Vaseline
- Check Yo Self
- You Know How We Do It
- Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It
- Why We Thugs
- Natural Born Killaz (with Dr. Dre)
His music focuses on social commentary, street life, politics, and personal experiences.
Is Ice Cube Still Making Music?
Ice Cube still records music, performs at concerts, and appears on features with newer artists. His most recent studio album, “Everythang’s Corrupt,” proved he can still deliver politically charged, socially aware rap even decades after his debut. While he does not release albums as frequently as before, he continues to drop singles, appear on soundtracks, and perform at festivals across the United States and internationally.
However, most of his energy today is focused on movies, producing projects through Cube Vision, and expanding the BIG3 basketball league. Even though acting and business have become his main priorities, Ice Cube has made it clear in interviews that he will never officially retire from music, meaning fans can always expect new songs or collaborations when the timing feels right.
Ice Cube’s Most Popular Movies
Ice Cube successfully crossed from rap into Hollywood, becoming a major actor, writer, and producer. Some of his most popular films include:
The Friday Franchise
- Friday
- Next Friday
- Friday After Next
Comedies
- Are We There Yet
- Are We Done Yet
- Barbershop films
- 21 Jump Street
- 22 Jump Street
Action and Drama
- Boyz n the Hood
- XXX: State of the Union
- Straight Outta Compton (producer)
Many of his films turned into franchises or modern cultural classics.
Who Is “Tray” and What Is the True Story?
Many people search for “Ice Cube Tray story,” and there are two common reasons for the confusion.
1. People think his name came from an ice cube tray
Many fans believe Ice Cube got his name from a freezer ice tray or because he was “cool like ice.” This is not true. His nickname actually came from his older brother, who jokingly said he would put O’Shea “in the freezer until he was an ice cube” if he kept talking to older girls on the phone. The name stuck, and he eventually turned it into his stage identity.
2. Confusion with Tre from Boyz n the Hood
In the movie Boyz n the Hood, the main character is named Tre (played by Cuba Gooding Jr.), while Ice Cube’s character is Doughboy. Many people mix these names up, which causes searches like “Ice Cube Tray story.”
In reality:
- Ice Cube was not named after a tray
- Tre is a character in the movie
- Doughboy is Ice Cube’s role
The rumor persists largely because of internet memes and confusion over character names.
Ice Cube and “Bill” Story Explained
Fans also search for “Ice Cube Bill,” and it usually refers to
1. Ice Cube vs Bill O’Reilly
Bill O’Reilly criticized Ice Cube and hip-hop culture, and Ice Cube responded through interviews and lyrics. Their disagreements were widely publicized.
2. Ice Cube confronting Bill Maher
In 2017, Bill Maher used a racial slur on TV. Ice Cube confronted him on-air, telling him he had become “too comfortable.” This moment went viral and is still shared online.
Legacy
Ice Cube changed music and entertainment in several ways:
- He brought honest, unfiltered street storytelling to hip-hop.
- He proved artists can own their careers, not just perform.
- He successfully bridged music and Hollywood.
- He influenced generations of rappers, filmmakers, and producers.
Conclusion
Ice Cube’s journey from South Central Los Angeles to global stardom is a story of talent, determination, and innovative business moves. With Ice Cube Net Worth estimated at $160 million, he has proven that success comes from more than just music or acting; it comes from ownership, entrepreneurship, and diversification.
From his groundbreaking work with N.W.A. to blockbuster movies, producing through Cube Vision, and co-founding the BIG3 basketball league, Ice Cube has built a legacy that spans multiple industries. Beyond the headlines and rumors, including the famous “tray” story, he remains a respected figure whose influence continues to shape hip-hop, Hollywood, and sports. Ice Cube is not just a rapper or actor; he is a cultural icon whose impact and wealth will endure for decades to come.
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FAQs
Since April 26, 1992, Ice Cube and Kimberly Woodruff have been married. Their eldest son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., who was born in 1991, played him in the movie Straight Outta Compton. Together, they have four children.
Ice Cube attributes the idea for his stage name to his older brother, Clyde. When they were kids, Clyde threatened to freeze his younger brother until he turned into an ice cube.
Ice Cube’s decision to skip Eazy-E’s burial serves as a sobering reminder that sometimes it’s easier to remember a buddy alive than to face the harsh truth of death in a world where friendships are frequently as ephemeral as a successful song.
Ice Cube talks about how, following their falling out, he and Dr. Dre became friends.
