Ice Cube Net Worth (Money & Salary)

What Is Ice Cube’s Net Worth?

An American rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur, Ice Cube boasts a net worth of $160 million. He has successfully transitioned from being one of the pioneers of West Coast gangsta rap to becoming one of Hollywood’s most influential figures today. Initially gaining fame and wealth as part of NWA, Ice Cube launched a highly prosperous solo career and has also contributed as a writer, producer, and star in various films.

His fame began as a foundational member of the revolutionary hip-hop group N.W.A., where he played a key role as one of the main songwriters. The group’s albums, characterized by their insightful yet controversial lyrics, were pivotal in popularizing gangsta rap and greatly impacted the hip-hop landscape.

Following his departure from N.W.A. in 1989, Ice Cube pursued a solo career that reinforced his reputation as one of hip-hop’s most impactful artists. His first solo album, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” was released in 1990 and received commercial success, alongside critical acclaim that sparked discussions due to its social and political themes. His later albums, like “Death Certificate” and “The Predator,” continued to delve into issues of social justice, racial disparities, and urban challenges.

Ice Cube also successfully shifted to acting. He made his film debut in John Singleton’s “Boyz n the Hood” in 1991, where his compelling performance led to more acting opportunities. He was not only a star but also contributed to the script for “Friday” (1995), a comedy that has since achieved cult status. His acting career has included roles across different genres such as action (“xXx: State of the Union”), family comedy (“Are We There Yet?”), and drama (“Barbershop”).

Additionally, Ice Cube’s contributions as a producer and writer have been remarkable. He has produced several films in which he acted, and his production company, Cube Vision, has been associated with a number of successful film and television projects.

Early Life

Born O’Shea Jackson on June 15, 1969, Ice Cube grew up in South Central Los Angeles. His parents, Doris, a custodian and hospital clerk, and Hosea Jackson, a UCLA groundskeeper, raised him alongside his older brother. Tragically, Ice Cube lost his half-sister to murder when he was only 12 years old. He spent his childhood on Van Wick Street in Los Angeles, starting to write rap and hip-hop music by the time he reached 14. The origin of his rapper name comes from an incident with his older brother, who jokingly threatened to throw him into a freezer, leading him to call his brother Ice Cube, a name that stuck.

He attended William Howard Taft High School in Woodland Hills, California. At 16, he sold his first song to future N.W.A. member Eazy-E. After completing high school, he registered at the Phoenix Institute of Technology in Arizona in the fall of 1987, where he studied architectural drafting and obtained his diploma within a year, subsequently returning to Los Angeles to pursue a career in rap.

Early Career

Forming the group C.I.A. with his friend Sir Jinx, Ice Cube performed at numerous parties throughout Los Angeles organized by Dr. Dre. In 1987, the group released a track “My Posse,” produced by Dr. Dre. Ice Cube presented Eazy-E with the lyrics to a rap he had created titled “Boyz-n-the-Hood,” which Eazy initially rejected.

that he co-wrote and starred in – was released, becoming a cult classic. This success led to a sequel, “Next Friday,” which hit theaters in 2000, and then another sequel titled “Friday After Next” in 2002. Ice Cube’s comedic talent shone through in these films, establishing him as a prominent actor in the comedy genre.

Solo Career

Released in May 1990, Ice Cube’s inaugural solo album, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” achieved immediate success, benefiting from the surge in rap’s popularity during that period. That same year, he unveiled the EP “Kill at Will,” which became the first hip-hop EP to earn Platinum status. In 1991, Ice Cube ventured into acting, portraying Doughboy in John Singleton’s impactful drama “Boyz n the Hood,” a role that garnered widespread critical acclaim.

His second album, “Death Certificate,” was introduced to audiences in 1991, stirring controversy and splitting opinions among critics. Ice Cube expanded his appeal further by performing at Lollapalooza in 1992. His third album, “The Predator,” released in November 1992, made history by debuting at #1 on both the pop and R&B charts, marking a first for an album. Critics received it positively, and it became his most commercially successful release, with over three million copies sold in the U.S.

However, the subsequent year witnessed a decline in Ice Cube’s rap audience. His fourth album, “Lethal Injection,” faced critical backlash. Following this, he took a break from music and did not release his fifth album, “War & Peace Vol. 1,” until 1998. A collaboration with Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Snoop Dog on the “Up in Smoke Tour” occurred in 2000, and it took another six years for him to drop “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” which launched at #4 on the “Billboard” charts. On September 28, 2010, he released his ninth solo album, “I Am the West.” Throughout the 2010s, Ice Cube engaged in diverse projects, even crossing genres to collaborate with artists like Trent Reznor and David Bowie. His tenth solo album, “Everythang’s Corrupt,” came out in 2018, after a period of steadily unveiling singles.

Acting Career

Ice Cube made his on-screen acting debut in 1991 with “Boyz n the Hood.” In the years that followed, he appeared in several movies. The release of “Friday” in 1995, which he co-wrote and starred in, marked a significant milestone, as it quickly became a cult favorite. This paved the way for a sequel, “Next Friday,” released in 2000, and another follow-up, “Friday After Next,” which came out in 2002. Ice Cube’s knack for comedy was highlighted in these films, solidifying his status as a notable actor within the comedy realm.

The movie “Friday,” which was both written and produced by Ice Cube while also featuring him in the lead role, achieved significant critical and commercial success. Several sequels followed this film.

In 1997, Ice Cube took on a role in “Anaconda.” The following year, he directed, produced, wrote, and starred in “The Players Club.”

Among Ice Cube’s other films are “Are We There Yet” and its sequel, along with “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.

In October 2021, it became known that Ice Cube chose to withdraw from an upcoming comedy film titled “Oh Hell No” after he opted not to receive a required COVID-19 vaccine, as the production was scheduled to take place in Hawaii. In doing so, Cube forfeited a $9 million salary.

Other Ventures

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

Ice Cube also offers a clothing line called Solo by Cube, which features hooded sweatshirts equipped with built-in headphones. In 2011, he became the face of Coors Light beer. Furthermore, on January 11, 2017, he introduced his new venture, Big3, a professional basketball league that showcases former NBA stars, with its first season kicking off in June 2017.

In 2023, it was announced that Ice Cube collaborated with Jesse Collins to create a docuseries about the Big3 league, aimed at highlighting its success and trajectory to become one of the most significant sports leagues globally.

Personal Life

On April 26, 1992, Ice Cube exchanged vows with Kimberly Woodruff. 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 is a grandfather to a granddaughter named Jordan.

During an interview with Terry Gross on NPR’s “Fresh Air” in January 2005, Ice Cube was asked if he permitted his children to listen to his music. He replied that he focused on instilling self-respect in his kids and helping them comprehend not just the music’s content but also the violence depicted in the news. When discussing profanity, he shared that he advises his children on appropriate language use, emphasizing respect for adults by avoiding specific words around them.

Real Estate

Ice Cube acquired a residence in Marina Del Rey, California, for $7.25 million in May 2016. This property was purchased from Jean-Claude Van Damme, who had initially bought it in 2012 for $6 million as a newly constructed spec mansion. Additionally, Ice Cube and his wife possess a sizeable mansion in Encino, California, which they purchased in June 1996 for $2.36 million. This estate sits on a 1.11-acre parcel and features seven bedrooms within a nearly 8,000-square-foot main house, complete with a pool, spa, and a full-sized basketball court.