Ice Cube

Released: May 16, 1990

Songwriter: Ice Cube Sir Jinx Keith Shocklee

Producer: Sir Jinx

[Intro: Sir Jinx]
And now, "The Drive-By"

[Interlude:]
[Hustler 1:] Yo, money! The mothafuckas around the corners, till we trippin', man!
[Hustler 2:] Whassup, man? What are they doin', man?
[Hustler 1:] Yo, man! I just don't LIKE THEM mothafuckas!
[Hustler 2:] Alright, man
[Hustler 1:] Fuck it, man!
[Hustler 2:] Let's get in the car, man!
[Hustler 1:] Aiight! Yo, yo, yo! Let's SMOKE those mothafuckas! [car door slam shuts]
[Engine starts] [music starts playin' "Bust a Move" by Young MC]
[Hustler 1:] There they go!
[Hustler 2:] Aight! Turn off the headlights, man! Turn the radio down! Turn the radio down...
[Hustler 1:] Yo, yo, yo, yo! We gon' bring death to them!
[Hustler 2:] Hehehh! locin' up motherfucka let it go
Ayo, man! Roll the window down! [music stops]
[Hustler 1:] Aight!
[Hustler 2:] We finna get this mothafucka! 'EY, 'EY, 'EY, MAN! WHASSUP, NIGGA?
[Enemy] Yo!
[Hustler 2:] THIS IS LENCH MOB, NIGGA!
[People] [screams] [shouts]
[Hustler 1:] JUST SMOKE THE MOTHAFUCKA, MAN!
[Hustler 2:] SHOOT THAT MOTHAFUCKA, MAN! [4 shots] [automatic gunshots]
[People] [screams] [shouts]
[Hustler 1:] 'EY, 'EY, 'EY! I'm SHOOTIN' 'EM RIGHT NOW, MAN! LET'S GET 'EM, MAN! [4 shots]
[Hustler 2:] FUCK THAT! SMOKE THE MOTHAFUCKAS! [automatic gunshots]
[Hustler 1:] OWWW, SHIT, MAN! I SHOOT THE MOTHAFUCKAS!
[Hustler 2:] GET FUCK OUTTA HERE, MAN! GET THE FUCK...! [car pulls away]
[People] [screams] [shouts]
[Hustler 2:]... FUCK OUTTA HERE
[People] [screams] [shouts]

[Tom Brokaw newcaster sample:]
"Outside the South Central area...
Few cared about the violence because... it didn't affect them."

Straight outta South Central Los Angeles, Ice Cube became one of the most respected rappers in hip-hop, helping to usher in the era of gangsta rap with N.W.A and as a solo artist. He has gone on to become a mogul in Hollywood but still remains true to the game that brought him his success.

Born O'Shea Jackson on June 15, 1969, Ice Cube got his name from his older brother, who threatened to put him in a freezer and pull him out when he was an ice cube. He began rapping in high school and started his rap career as a member of Stereo Crew, which released the single “She’s a Skag” through Epic Records in 1986, and C.I.A. with the 1987 track “My Posse.” Both groups featured producer Sir Jinx, the cousin of DJ/producer Dr. Dre.

Ice Cube’s big break came when he wrote the song “Boyz n the Hood” for Eazy-E, which led to the formation of N.W.A. as a group. After the release of the 1987 compilation N.W.A. and the Posse, the group released their classic debut Straight Outta Compton in 1988. A financial dispute caused Cube to leave the group in 1989 and start his successful solo career, starting with his 1990 platinum debut Amerikkka’s Most Wanted.

more tracks from the album

AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted

From the album

AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (1990)

Ice Cube popular songs

The Drive-ByIce Cube

Ice Cube

AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted