Released: March 21, 2000

Songwriter: Ice Cube

Producer: Ice Cube

I love the sound of gangsta shit in the mornin'
Bitch, you know the size, world motherfucking wide

You ain't got to be in the pen to be in prison
You in the prison of your mutherfuckin' mind
What kinda time we got up here?
15:30 am

Everything is real on this concrete and steel
Everything is real on this concrete and steel
The warfare is mental
The warfare is mental

Supreme gangster shit
We dream gangster shit
Now I wanna see if you punk mutherfuckers is paying attention
I love the sound of gangsta shit in the mornin'

Ice Cube

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.