Ice Cube Net Worth

Ice Cube Net Worth

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Full Name O’Shea Jackson Sr.
Net Worth $160 million (as of 2021)
Birth Date June 15, 1969
Birth Place Baldwin Hills, Los Angeles, California, United States
Occupation Rapper, Actor, Producer, Director, Writer
Known For Founding member of N.W.A., successful music and acting career
Education Phoenix Institute of Technology
Spouse Kimberly Woodruff
Children 4 sons, 1 daughter
Website https://www.icecube.com/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IceCube
Twitter https://twitter.com/icecube
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/icecube/

Have you ever wondered what the net worth of Ice Cube is? If you’re a hip-hop and rap fan, odds are you already know of the American rapper and icon. 

Not only is Ice Cube a pioneer of rap music, but he is also an actor, filmmaker, and businessman. 

As of May 2023, Ice Cube has a net worth of $160 million.

This post will dive into how he achieved such great success.

Early Life

O’Shea Jackson Sr was born June 15th, 1969, in Baldwins, South Central Los Angeles. 

His father, Hosea Jackson, was a machinist and UCLA groundskeeper, and his mother, Doris, was a hospital clerk and custodian.

Jackson has an older brother Clyde, to who he credits for where the name Ice Cube came from. “He threatened to slam me into a freezer and pull me out when I was an ice cube. I just started using that name, and it just caught on.” 

Jackson explained on the Late Show with Stephen Colbert.  

Jackson’s first experience with rapping was in the 9th grade at Washington Preparatory High School In Los Angeles. He and a friend jokingly wrote rhymes in a typewriting class.

He would graduate high school and begin writing and recording songs with N.W.A., a rap group out of Compton, California; Eazy-E, Dr.Dre, and Arabian Prince were all respective members.

Jackson would leave for Arizona after his first recordings to study at Phoenix Institute of Technology, graduating with a diploma in architecture. 

Soon after, he would return home to make music full-time. 

He kept architecture in his back pocket as a backup but would not need it as he and the rap group would become one of the greatest ever.

Music Career

Rap Group N.W.A posing in front of a house. Ice Cube on the far leftSource: Complete Music Update

N.W.A

net worth of ice cube

Eric Wright, known as Easy-E, was the creator of the now-famous hip-hop group N.W.A. 

After having some success with the songs, Jackson wrote for himself and the group. Jackson would later join the group full-time.

Ice Cube wrote Dr. Dre and Eazy E’s rhymes after officially joining the group full-time.

Straight Outta Compton

ice cube net worth

Jackson was a sensational writer and wrote all of Wright’s verses and some of Dr. Dre’s in the group’s debut album, Straight Outta Compton. 

The album is critically acclaimed as one of the best group rap albums ever and at the time, provided a voice for the troubled youth. 

The album reflected anger regarding police brutality and the reality of the crime rooted in the inner city.

Gangsta Rap was the genre of Hip Hop that the group was labeled as. However, Jackson described the group genre as “Reality Rap.” 

The rawness, vulgarity, and delivery of their rhymes, were out of anger at their everyday life in South Central LA. 

N.W.A was the first group with that rap style to speak out against authority. Which, of course, led to large amounts of criticism from the media and police. 

The group did not waver and would continue to be one of the hottest groups in the late 1980s.

Controversy With Jerry Heller

As the fame rose, so did the money, and Jackson began to question his compensation under the management of Jerry Heller. 

Jackson felt he was underpaid, considering he wrote most of the group’s content.

Unfortunately, Jackson and Heller would not meet an agreement, and Ice Cube left the group to start a solo career.

Solo Career

ice cube net worth

Jackson’s talent as a writer made the transition from group to solo effortless. His debut album was AmeriKKKA’s Most Wanted in 1990.

The album was an instant success and is today regarded as a hip-hop classic.

Jackson proved that he was N.W.A’s crucial element. He brilliantly combined political consciousness and gangsta rap. 

Throughout the album, he attacked institutional racism and the social norms created to oppress people of color. He would then go on to release nine studio albums from 1990-2018.

Other Studio Albums

  • Death Certificate
  • The predator
  • Lethal Injection
  • War & Peace Vol 1
  • War & Peace Vol 2
  • Laugh Now, Cry Later
  • Raw Footage
  • I am the West
  • Everythang’s Corrupt

After his debut album, Jackson was solidified as one of the biggest rappers in the industry.

This caught the attention of movie directors, who saw the worth of having a rapper as big as Jackson in their films. 

Film And Television

Ice Cube leaning on car in Boyz in the HoodSource: Crave

John Singleton would be the first director to cast Jackson in his film Boyz n the Hood in July of 1991. 

Boyz n The Hood

ice cube net worth

Jackson would play Doughboy, a troubled gangster determined to get revenge on the gang that killed his brother Ricky.

Doughboy was a persona that Jackson played convincingly, and he was able to let his experience with gang violence pour into the role.  

Boyz in the Hood was a pivotal turning point for Jackson regarding wealth. It was his first money made outside of rap and set him up nicely for life once he dropped the mic.

Other Films

Jackson has been in 40 films ranging from major to minor roles. 21 Jump Street, Friday, Barbershop, and Three Kings are his biggest. Additionally has appeared in 10 television shows.

Rap and film were not quite enough for Jackson, and in recent years he has become well-involved in the business world.

Ice Cube’s Net Worth After Business Ventures

Along with Jeff Kwatinetz, Jackson launched Big3, a 3-on-3 basketball league starring former NBA and college players airing on CBS.

The league has been very successful and has become a popular event amongst celebrities who attend regularly.

Solo By Cube

Jackson also has a clothing brand Solo By Cube, selling shirts, hoodies, and hats with slogans from his N.W.A days, as well as various films he’s appeared in. Thanks to his fashion brand, Ice Cube has added a sizable amount to his net worth.

Stake In Disney

Jackson and Jeweler Carolyn Rafaelian have teamed together to bid for a 10 Billion dollar stake in Disney.

The stake includes 21 networks that have broadcasting rights to 15 out of 30 Major League Baseball teams. 

It would put Jackson in a different stratosphere of wealth if acquired. If you factor in Disney’s success in the past, the stake could easily be doubled years from now.

Jackson has shown he has the adequate understanding to be a solid businessman, and it’s fair to assume that his ventures will increase in the future.

Ice Cube Net Worth Growth

Year Net Worth (in millions) Contributing Factors
1984 0.5 million Early music career and N.W.A.
1994 35 million Successful music and acting career, launching own record label, clothing line, and film production company
2004 70 million Successful acting career, film production company continued growth, and new business ventures
2014 120 million Continued success of acting career, and business ventures including partnerships with big companies
2021 160 million Continued success of acting career and business ventures, including successful investment in BIG3 basketball league

Ice Cube Net Worth 2023

As of May 2023, Ice Cube has a net worth of $160 Million. Most of Jackon’s money is from acting, but the success of his rap career paved the way for that outlet. 

Jackson is one of the richest rappers of all time, and few have had the positive impact on the rap game as him. 

A kid from South Central Los Angeles has now set himself and his family up with generational wealth.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How much is Ice Cube worth in 2022?

Based on our findings, we estimate Ice Cube’s net worth in 2022 to be approximately $160 million.

Who’s richer, Ice Cube or Dr. Dre?

Dr. Dre is the richer of the two artists, with an estimated net worth of $820 million.

What is Eazy E’s net worth?

Ice Cube’s former bandmate, Eazy E, had a net worth of $8 million at the time of his death in 1995.

Real Estate

Ice Cube is a successful rapper, actor, and businessman. As a result of his success, he has been able to amass a large fortune. Some of this money has been invested in real estate.

Some of Ice Cube’s notable real estate holdings include a home in Calabasas, California that he purchased for $4.5 million in 2009 and a $6 million compound in Hidden Hills that he bought in 2014. He also owns a mansion in Marina Del Rey that he purchased in 2016 for $7.25 million.

Key Takeaways

Now that you know what Ice Cube’s net worth is and how he built it, let’s take a look at some of the most important lessons we can learn from his journey.

Know Your Worth

Jackson felt under-appreciated by the management of N.W.A. He did not settle and took matters into his own hands and separated from the group, which ultimately allowed him to be great.

It’s important always to know your value in any aspect of life. Don’t hold yourself back by settling for less, be confident in your abilities, and trust that what you’re offering has tremendous worth. 

Trust Your Work

Jackson was incredibly talented as an artist, but leaving a successful group to go solo comes with massive pressure. 

He was strong enough not to waver and truly believed his talents could take him to the next level if you work hard at any skill and put the time in, believed in himself. 

Trust your process and keep going until you achieve your goals.