Ice Cube August 9, 2008

Ice Cube first came to public notice as a singer and songwriter with the controversial and influential gangsta rap group N.W.A. He broke away at the height of their national notoriety. On his initial solo release, 1990's 'Amerikkka's Most Wanted,' Ice Cube injected virulent political and cultural rhetoric that stepped above N.W.A's lyrical braggadocio. Ice Cube squashed the bi-coastal rap rivalry and even collaborated with New York's hip-hop heavyweights Public Enemy. Aside from music, Ice Cube has made an impact as a versatile actor, apearing in such films as 'Boyz in the Hood,' 'Three Kings,' 'Friday,' 'Barbershop' and 'xXx: State of the Union.'