Ice Cube

Released: September 28, 2010

Songwriter: Ice Cube

Producer: T-Mix

[Intro]
This world, so trife
Your money or your life (yeah)
Keep yo' kids, keep yo' wife
Money or your life (give it up)
This world, so trife (so trife)
Your money or your life (West Coast)
Keep yo' kids, keep yo' wife
Money or your life

[Ice Cube]
I got that gangbang mentality, movie after movie
Cain't get it out of me, who wanna battle me?
Mouth is a Uzi, I thumbtack your ass
To the concrete, treat you like a floozy
The pyroclastic flow, that I lay
Will turn this fuckin booth to Pompeii
Now what will I do in broad day?
I turn Broadway, into a hallway
Motherfuckers want to know the herbs and spices
They come to me and want to know what my advice is
I'm spiritual nigga, like Jesus Christ is
And lyrical bitch, I'm 'bout the nicest
Content, longevity, plus I spit shit
That sit on your brain nigga heavily
I can do this shit 'til I'm seventy
On the Vegas Strip, yeah there I'll be

[Hook]
This world (this world) so trife (so trife)
Your money or your life
Keep yo' kids, keep yo' wife
Money or your life (give it up)
This world, so trife (so trife)
Your money or your life (you know~!)
Keep yo' kids, keep yo' wife
Money or your life

[Ice Cube]
Now I get that money, make that cheddar
Play a double header, we can do better
You can get wetter, blown out your sweater
So much game need Dick Bavetta
Now Helen Keller, can read this letter
Twenty-third space if you read alphabeta
I'm a go getter, youse a pointsetta
Pointin at me like you got a vendetta
Boy you know better! They used to call me
Cube the Impaler, ask Jerry Heller
You the kind of fella that look for Cinderella
I'm the kind of fella that steal her umbrella
Now this ain't a diss, don't tell Roc-a-Fella
And don't exercise the ghost of Makaveli
But I just got to be the best storyteller
I tuck Slick Rick in with this acapella
Ask Yella

[Hook]
This world, so trife
Your money or your life (grand wizard)
Keep yo' kids, keep yo' wife
Money or your life
This world (this world) so trife (so trife)
Your money or your life (gotta have it)
Keep yo' kids (uhh) keep yo' wife (c'mon!)
Money or your life

[Ice Cube]
OMG, is down with us
Doughboy, is down with us
Dub C, is down with us
Crazy Toones, is down with us
Snoop Dogg, is down with us
Warren G, is down with us
Ice-T, is down with us
Dr. Dre, is down with us
MC Ren, is down with us
Bad Lucc, is down with us
Daz Dillinger is down with us
Young Kurupt is down with us
Maylay, is down with us
Suave House, is down with us
King Tee, is down with us
The Game, is down with us

[Hook: repeat to fade]
This world, so trife
Your money or your life
Keep yo' kids, keep yo' wife
Money or your life

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

I Am the West

From the album

I Am the West (2010)

Ice Cube popular songs

Your Money or Your LifeIce Cube

Ice Cube

I Am the West