Released: November 17, 1998

Songwriter: Ice Cube

Producer: Ice Cube

Once upon a time in the projects yo
I damn near had to wreck a ho
Yellin through the screen do' (HEY, let me in!)
(Big Daddy got a fifth of gin, and down to sin)
Baby up in two-ten, is on a nigga
Bendin over pickin up her mail, she can tell I'm dyin to get her
I'm sittin in yo' livin room, slash kitchen
A nigga ain't tryin to be the fuckin groom so stop bitchin
*knock knock knock* I like the way that ass is switchin, answer the do'
Some nigga in a eighty-kay, yo' baby daddy
Lookin like he mad at me (what) wit'cho name on his neck
Here we go with mo' drama in the projects

Wait a minute, who is this motherfucker?

You better take his ass in the back, and start talkin
Nick that bud 'fore it bloom, and start stalkin
I can hear you guys yellin *glass breaks* a little strugglin
Youse a FOOL if you think that I'm jumpin in
That nigga jet, smokin on a ciggarette
You say domestic shit, get you soakin wet?
Well come widdit and get it, blow my socks
While I'm drinkin all the Kool-Aid, watchin Jamie Foxx
I'm hearin mo' knocks *knock knock knock*
(Oh, that's just my people
They came all the way to the projects to meet you) Who?
This fool wearin black, his girl, in the see through
Distraction, a little action, *fight ensues* I woke up
Tied up like (What happened? Punk you shoulda stuck to rappin
Niggas tell me you got a house full of platinum..
Where the platinum at motherfucker?
I hear that shit worth more than gold!)

Wait a minute motherfucker, this my house!

Once upon a time in the projects (3X)
Once upon a time, once upon a time

I'm like baffled, they got me gaffled, with the duct tape
So I remain raw, in come this chainsaw *knock knock knock*
Another knock, it's the girl from two-ten
Here to drop salt, that's when them bitches fought
I thought, "I bet-ta plan my escape"
In the midst of this commotion, Ice Cube is breakin tape
I'm free, bombin on the first thing I see
And guess who walk in, with a nine, and a grin
It's the baby daddy he ain't playin, *gunshots*
He started layin everybody down, about face with a frown
I'm runnin to the bedroom, I lock the do'
And grab the phone, the bitch phone ain't turned on
I think I'm gone, that's when I hear a soft knock
It's the girl from two-ten, with her number, and a Glock
Said, "Call me up, if it's for sex, or chin check
Nigga get you a real ass bitch from the projects!"

And I just might do that

Once upon a time in the projects (3X)
Once upon a time, once upon a time

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.