Ice Cube Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Ice Cube’s Net Worth?

Ice Cube, an American rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur, boasts a net worth of $160 million. He has evolved from being one of the pioneers of West Coast gangsta rap to becoming a significant figure in Hollywood today. Initially rising to fame as a member of N.W.A., Ice Cube later pursued a highly prosperous solo career, writing, producing, and starring in several films along the way.

His fame initially came from being a crucial member of the influential hip-hop collective N.W.A., where he served as one of the main songwriters. The group’s albums, with their sharp and provocative lyrics, played an essential role in bringing gangsta rap to the forefront, significantly impacting the hip-hop genre.

After departing from N.W.A. in 1989, Ice Cube launched a solo career that further solidified his legacy as a prominent figure in hip-hop. His debut solo album, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” was released in 1990, garnering commercial success while sparking discussions due to its social and political themes. Following albums like “Death Certificate” and “The Predator” also delved into issues of social justice, racial inequality, and urban challenges.

In addition to his music accomplishments, Ice Cube successfully transitioned into acting. He made his debut in John Singleton’s “Boyz n the Hood” in 1991, showcasing a remarkable performance that led to more acting roles. He was instrumental in the scripting and starred in “Friday” (1995), which became a cult favorite. His filmography encompasses various genres, from action (“xXx: State of the Union”) to family comedy (“Are We There Yet?”) and drama (“Barbershop”).

Notably, Ice Cube’s contributions as a producer and writer are substantial. He has produced many films he starred in, and his production company, Cube Vision, has been behind several notable film and television projects.

Early Life

O’Shea Jackson, known as Ice Cube, was born on June 15, 1969, in South Central Los Angeles. His mother, Doris, worked as a custodian and hospital clerk, while his father, Hosea Jackson, was a groundskeeper at UCLA. Ice Cube has one older brother, and he suffered the loss of his half-sister to murder when he was just 12. Growing up on Van Wick Street in Los Angeles, he began crafting rap and hip-hop music at the age of 14. He acquired his stage name from a story involving his brother, who jokingly threatened to place him in a freezer, which led to the moniker sticking with him.

He attended William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California. At the age of 16, he sold his first song to future N.W.A. member Eazy-E. After graduating high school, he enrolled in the Phoenix Institute of Technology in Arizona in the fall of 1987, focusing on architectural drafting and completing his diploma within a year. Upon his return to Los Angeles, Ice Cube set his sights on a rap career.

Early Career

Ice Cube formed the group C.I.A. alongside his friend Sir Jinx, performing at various parties around Los Angeles that were hosted by Dr. Dre. In 1987, C.I.A. released a track titled “My Posse,” produced by Dr. Dre. It was during this time that Ice Cube shared the lyrics to “Boyz-n-the-Hood” with Eazy-E, who did not initially like them.

Eventually, Eazy-E recorded the song for “N.W.A. and the Posse,” which was the debut album of N.W.A., featuring Dr. Dre, MC Ren, DJ Yella, and Ice Cube. Dr. Dre and Eazy-E’s rhymes, along with half of the lyrics for the group’s pivotal album, 1988’s “Straight Outta Compton,” were penned by Ice Cube. Despite his significant contributions, he received only $32,000 in compensation. Following unresolved disputes regarding his pay and the official contracts within the group, Ice Cube departed from N.W.A.

Solo Career

Ice Cube’s debut solo album, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” launched in May 1990, achieved immediate success as it capitalized on the burgeoning popularity of rap during that era. Later that same year, he released the EP “Kill at Will,” which made history by becoming the first hip-hop EP to achieve Platinum status. In 1991, he showcased his acting skills as Doughboy in John Singleton’s crime drama “Boyz n the Hood,” earning widespread acclaim from critics.

His second album, “Death Certificate,” debuted in 1991 and sparked controversy, creating a divide among both audiences and critics. In 1992, Ice Cube performed at Lollapalooza, expanding his fanbase considerably. He released his third album, “The Predator,” in November 1992, which made an impressive debut at #1 on both the pop and R&B charts—marking it as the first album to achieve this feat. Critically well-received, it remains his best-selling album, moving over three million copies in the U.S.

The following year brought a decline in Ice Cube’s rap audience. His fourth album, “Lethal Injection,” received criticism, prompting him to take a break from music. He didn’t release his fifth album (“War & Peace Vol. 1”) until 1998. In 2000, he participated in the “Up in Smoke Tour” alongside Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Snoop Dog. It wasn’t until six years later that he released “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” which debuted at #4 on the “Billboard” charts. Ice Cube’s ninth solo album, “I Am the West,” hit shelves on September 28, 2010. Throughout the 2010s, he collaborated on various projects and with multiple artists, even branching out to work with Trent Reznor and David Bowie. In 2018, after a series of singles released over the years, he launched his tenth solo album, “Everythang’s Corrupt.”

Acting Career

Ice Cube made his film acting debut in 1991 with “Boyz n the Hood.” Over the next few years, he starred in several films. The 1995 release of “Friday” was a significant highlight of his acting career – a film that became a staple in comedy cinema.

Released to critical acclaim and commercial success, “Friday” was a film that starred, was produced by, and written by Ice Cube. This film led to the creation of several sequels.

In 1997, Ice Cube appeared in “Anaconda.” Following that, in 1998, he took on multiple roles as the director, producer, writer, and star of “The Players Club.”

Additional movies featuring Ice Cube include “Are We There Yet,” its sequel, “21 Jump Street” and “22 Jump Street,” “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” and “Fist Fight.” Furthermore, he produced the 2015 biopic “Straight Outta Compton” about N.W.A., in which his son O’Shea Jr. played his character.

In October 2021, it was announced that Ice Cube had opted out of the upcoming comedy film “Oh Hell No” after refusing to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, a requirement for filming in Hawaii. As a result, he forfeited a $9 million salary to exit the project.

Other Ventures

In 1996, Ice Cube collaborated with Mack 10 and WC to form Westside Connection, leading to the release of two albums from this partnership.

Ice Cube also has his clothing brand, Solo by Cube, which features hooded sweatshirts equipped with built-in headphones. In 2011, he became the spokesperson for Coors Light beer. On January 11, 2017, Ice Cube introduced his project, Big3, a professional basketball league featuring former NBA stars, with its first season kicking off in June 2017.

In 2023, it was announced that Ice Cube partnered with Jesse Collins to create a docuseries for Big3 through Jesse Collins Entertainment, highlighting the league’s success and its journey towards becoming one of the largest in the world.

Personal Life

On April 26, 1992, Ice Cube wed Kimberly Woodruff, and they share five children: O’Shea Jr. (born 1991), Darrell (born 1992), Karima (born 1994), Deja (born 1994), and Shareef (born 1995). He is also a grandfather to a girl named Jordan.

During a January 2005 interview on NPR’s “Fresh Air” with Terry Gross, Ice Cube was questioned about whether he permitted his children to listen to his music. He stated, “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 kids, he explained that he advises them on appropriate times to use any language but emphasizes that certain words should be avoided around adults out of respect.

Real Estate

In May 2016, Ice Cube acquired a home in Marina Del Rey, California, for $7.25 million, purchasing it from Jean-Claude Van Damme, who acquired the property in 2012 for $6 million while it was still a brand-new spec mansion. Additionally, Ice Cube and his wife own a sizable mansion in Encino, California, which they purchased in June 1996 for $2.36 million. This residence is situated on a 1.11-acre lot and features seven bedrooms in a main house that spans nearly 8,000 square feet, complete with a pool, spa, and full-size basketball court.