Ice Cube

Ice Cube: Working with Dre, The TRUTH About Hollywood, & Inspiring Generations

"Take your opportunities serious or don't take them at all."

More than just a cultural icon, Ice Cube is a man of many layers – a music legend, a film star, and a sports enthusiast. He warmly opens up about his transition from the streets to the stage with Dr. Dre, and how he’s evolved into a dynamic force across various industries. Ice Cube takes us back to his roots, sharing the tunes that sparked his musical flame and the pride he feels in his diverse achievements, including his leap from hip-hop into the world of acting with roles like ‘Boyz n The Hood’. It’s a heart-to-heart as he candidly talks about the thrills and challenges of wearing many hats in the entertainment world and staying influential in a constantly changing landscape.

Ice Cube, a legendary figure in the world of music and entertainment, has proven time and time again that his talents and passions extend far beyond the realm of music and movies. While he initially gained fame as a member of the groundbreaking rap group N.W.A.,Ice Cube has since carved out a multifaceted career that spans acting, directing, producing, and even sports ownership.

Following N.W.A., Ice Cube pursued a successful solo music career and later established himself as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry through his acting roles and contributions to filmmaking, starring in numerous films such as “Boyz n the Hood,” “Friday,” and “Barbershop.” In 2017, he co-founded the BIG3, which aimed to bring an exciting 3-on-3 basketball league to fans, featuring former NBA stars and other professional players. Among Ice Cube’s many awards and honors, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of N.W.A. in 2016 and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.

“Music, movies, sports. I’ve made it to the hall of fame in all three. I have been to the mountaintop. It’s higher mountains out there to climb.” @icecube

And now let’s jump into episode 1562 of The School of Greatness!

“That’s the greatest gift, family. Because all of this means nothing if there’s no one to share it with.” @icecube

Some Questions I Ask:

At the very end of the movie ‘Friday’, there’s a tagline that says “Increase the Peace.” What is the intention of this sentence and how have you prioritized peace in your life since the movie was released more than 30 years ago?
Was there a piece of music that really kicked off your musical interest?
With all of the accomplishments you’ve had in the course of your life, what would you say you’re most proud of?
How did you transition so gracefully out of rap and into movies?
How did you land your role in ‘Boyz n The Hood’?
Where do you think your life or career would be if you hadn’t auditioned for your first movie?
When you’re a writer, actor, producer and many different roles for the same film, how do you stay present and perform at a high level consistently?
How do you make a movie that ends up being culturally relevant for decades?
How important is it for you to have your own creative influences outside of Hollywood’s agenda?
If someone wanted to make a movie today and didn’t want to deal with the bureaucracy of Hollywood, what is the formula you would suggest to make that happen?
Did you get a lot of criticism when you transitioned away from NWA and into movies and your solo music career?
You met Dr. Dre when you were 14. You’ve had some pretty amazing synchronicities in your life. Looking back, how have these moments shaped your success?
When did you know your collaboration with Dr. Dre was special?
What’s the greatest lesson Dr. Dre has taught you?
Did you ever lose trust in yourself over the course of your career?
What do you wish people knew about achieving the level of success, fame and money you have?
How do you know what to stay focused on with so many different opportunities presented to you?
You mentioned this idea of being at the top of the mountain. Are you there? What would it take for you to get there?
How do you make art that lasts generations?
Tell me about the Basketball Hall of Fame and the recent Naismith Ice Cube Impact Award you received.
Your son played you in Straight Outta Compton, what has it been like raising your family to pursue similar roles in the entertainment industry?

In this episode, you will learn:

The significance of maintaining peace and positivity in personal and professional life.
Strategies for successfully transitioning between different career paths.
The importance of creative independence in the entertainment industry.
Insights into building and maintaining collaborative relationships in personal and professional life
The art of balancing fame, success, and family in a high-stress career.
Plus much more…

Show Notes:

Connect with

Ice Cube

Transcript of this Episode

Music Credits:

MUSIC CREDIT

Kaibu by Killercats

Summit of Greatness 2025 Early Bird Now Open! | September 12-13 | Los Angeles, CA

Ice Cube

Ice Cube: Working with Dre, The TRUTH About Hollywood, & Inspiring Generations

"Take your opportunities serious or don't take them at all."

“Music, movies, sports. I’ve made it to the hall of fame in all three. I have been to the mountaintop. It’s higher mountains out there to climb.” @icecube