name	N.W.A
landscape	Yes
background	group_or_band
origin	Compton, California, U.S.
genre	Hip hop
years active	1986–19911999–2000 (Partial reunion)
label	Ruthless, Priority, EMI
associated acts	Above the Law, Bobby Jimmy and the Critters, C.I.A., Fila Fresh Crew, J. J. Fad, Snoop Dogg, The D.O.C., World Class Wreckin' Cru
website	www.nwalegacy.com
current members	Arabian PrinceDJ YellaDr. DreEazy-EIce CubeMC Ren }}

N.W.A (short for Niggaz Wit Attitudes or Niggaz With Attitude) was an American hip hop group from Compton, California, widely considered one of the seminal acts of the gangsta rap sub-genre.

Active from 1986 to 1991, the group endured controversy due to the explicit nature of their lyrics, and were subsequently banned from many mainstream U.S. radio stations, and even prevented from touring at times. In spite of this, the group has sold over 9 million units in the U.S. alone.

The original lineup consisted of Arabian Prince, DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, and MC Ren; Arabian Prince embarked on a solo career in 1989 and Ice Cube left in December of that year over royalty disputes. Several members would later become platinum-selling solo artists in the 1990s.

Their debut album ''Straight Outta Compton'' marked the beginning of the new gangsta rap era as the production and social commentary in their lyrics were revolutionary within the genre.

Rolling Stone ranked N.W.A 83rd on their list of the "100 Greatest Artists of All Time".

History

Formation and "Panic Zone" (1986–1988)

The group was assembled by Compton-based former drug dealer Eazy-E, who co-founded Ruthless Records with Jerry Heller. Initially, N.W.A consisted of Eazy-E and Dr. Dre, who in turn brought DJ Yella on board. Dre and Yella were both formerly members of the World Class Wreckin' Cru, as DJs and producers. Ice Cube was added to the roster after he had started out as a rapper for the group "C.I.A."

Ruthless released the single "Panic Zone" in 1987 with Macola Records, which was later included on the compilation album ''N.W.A. and the Posse''. N.W.A was still in its developing stages, and is only credited on three of the eleven tracks, notably the uncharacteristic electro hop record "Panic Zone," "8-Ball," "Dopeman," which marked the first collaboration of Arabian Prince, DJ Yella, Dr. Dre and Ice Cube. Hispanic rapper Krazy-Dee co-wrote "Panic Zone," which was originally called "Hispanic Zone," but the title was later changed when Dr. Dre advised Krazy-Dee that the word "hispanic" would hinder sales. Also included was Eazy-E's solo track "Boyz-n-the Hood." In 1988, rapper MC Ren joined the group.

''Straight Outta Compton'' (1988–1989)

N.W.A released their debut studio album, ''Straight Outta Compton'', in 1988. With its famous opening salvo of three tracks, the group reflected the rising anger of the urban youth. The opening song "Straight Outta Compton" introduced the group, "Fuck tha Police" protested police brutality and racial profiling, and "Gangsta Gangsta" painted the worldview of the inner-city youth. While the group was later credited with pioneering the burgeoning sub genre of gangsta rap, N.W.A referred to their music as "reality rap."

Dr. Dre and DJ Yella, as HighPowered Productions, composed the beats for each song, with Dre making occasional rapping appearances. Ice Cube and MC Ren wrote most of the group's lyrics, including "Fuck tha Police," perhaps the group's most notorious song, which brought them into conflict with various law enforcement agencies.

Under pressure from Focus on the Family, Milt Ahlerich, an assistant director of the FBI, sent a letter to Ruthless and its distributing company Priority Records, advising the rappers that "advocating violence and assault is wrong and we in the law enforcement community take exception to such action." This letter can still be seen at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Policemen refused to provide security for the group's concerts, hurting their plans to tour. Nonetheless, the FBI's letter only served to draw more publicity to the group.

''Straight Outta Compton'' was also one of the first albums to adhere to the new Parental Advisory label scheme, then still in its early stages: the label at the time consisted of "WARNING: Moderate impact coarse language and/or themes" only. However, the taboo nature of N.W.A's music was the most important factor of its mass appeal. Media coverage compensated for N.W.A's lack of airplay and their album eventually went double platinum.

One month after ''Straight Outta Compton'', Eazy-E's solo debut ''Eazy-Duz-It'' was released. The album was dominated by Eazy's persona—MC Ren was the only guest rapper—but behind the scenes it was a group effort. Music was handled by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella; the lyrics were largely written by MC Ren, with contributions from Ice Cube and The D.O.C. The album was another double platinum success for Ruthless (in addition to girl group J.J. Fad in 1988 and singer Michel'le in 1989).

1989 saw the re-issue of ''N.W.A and the Posse'' and ''Straight Outta Compton'' on CD, and the release of The D.O.C.'s ''No One Can Do It Better''. His album was essentially a collaboration with Dr. Dre and notably free of "gangsta rap" content, however including the N.W.A posse cut "The Grand Finalé." It would become another #1 album for the record label.

"100 Miles And Runnin'" and ''Niggaz4Life'' (1989–1991)

Ice Cube left in December 1989 over royalty disputes; having written almost half of the lyrics on ''Straight Outta Compton'' himself, he felt he was not getting a fair share of the money and profits. He wasted little time putting together his solo debut, 1990's ''AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'', but he avoided mentioning his former label mates.

N.W.A's title track from their 1990 EP "100 Miles and Runnin'", however, included a diss of Ice Cube: ''"We started with five, but yo / One couldn't take it—So now it's four / Cuz the fifth couldn't make it."''

The video for the song depicted the remaining members of N.W.A together in a jail cell, while an Ice Cube look-alike is released. Also heard on the EP (which found its way on the ''Efil4zaggin'' CD re-issue) was "Real Niggaz," a full-blown diss on Ice Cube where the remaining members accuse him of cowardice, and question his authenticity, longevity and originality: "How the fuck you think a rapper lasts / With your ass sayin' shit that was said in the past / Yo, be original, your shit is sloppy / Get off the dick, you motherfuckin' carbon-copy," and "We started out with too much cargo / So I'm glad we got rid of Benedict Arnold, yo"

The song "100 Miles and Runnin'" was Dr. Dre's final uptempo recording, which had been a common feature of late 1980s hip hop. After this, he focused on a midtempo, synthesizer based sound which would become known as G-funk, starting with "Alwayz Into Somethin'" from ''Efil4zaggin'' in 1991. The G-funk style dominated both the West and East Coast hip hop music scene for several years to come.

N.W.A is referenced on Ice Cube's 1990 EP, ''Kill at Will'', where he name-checks his former group (likely in a mocking manner) on the song "Jackin' For Beats." On "I Gotta Say What Up!!!," Ice Cube gives shout-outs to his rap peers at the time, among them Public Enemy, the Geto Boys, and Sir Jinx. At the end of the track, in what appears to be an on-the-phone interview, Ice Cube is asked, "Since you went solo, whatever happened to the rest of your crew?" and the phone is abruptly hung up on the interviewer.

The group's second full-length release, 1991's ''Efil4zaggin'' ("Niggaz4Life" spelled backwards), re-established the band in the face of Ice Cube's continued solo success. The album is considered by many Dr. Dre's finest production work, and it heralded the beginning of the G-Funk era. It also showed a clear animosity towards their former member, and derogatory references to Ice Cube are found in several songs. The interlude "A Message to B.A." echoes the beginning of his song "Turn Off the Radio" from ''AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'': Ice Cube is first addressed by the name Benedict Arnold (after the infamous traitor of the American Revolution) but then named outright in a torrent of abuse from both the group and its fans: ''When we see yo' ass, we gon' cut yo' hair off and fuck you with a broomstick. Think about it, punk muthafucka,'' spoken by MC Ren.

The N.W.A–Ice Cube feud eventually escalated, both on record and in real life. ''AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'' had avoided direct attacks on N.W.A, but on ''Death Certificate'', Ice Cube's second full-length release, he retaliated. He sampled and mocked the "Message to B.A." skit before embarking on a full-blown tirade, the infamous "No Vaseline." In a series of verses, Ice Cube verbally assaulted the group: ''You lookin' like straight bozos / I saw it comin' that's why I went solo / You got jealous when I got my own company / But I'm a man, and ain't nobody humpin' me''

He also responded to "100 Miles and Runnin'", claiming ''I started off with too much cargo, dropped four niggaz / And now I'm makin' all the dough,'' and members MC Ren, Dr. Dre, and Eazy-E individually, using homophobic metaphors to describe their unequal business relationship with Jerry Heller, who became the target of harsh insults: ''Get rid of that devil real simple / Put a bullet to his temple / Cuz you can't be the 'Niggaz 4 Life' crew / With a white Jew tellin' you what to do.''

The song attracted controversy for its antisemitism (the beginning of such accusations against Ice Cube during his affiliation with the Nation of Islam), based on the bashing of Heller's religion; The track was omitted from the UK release, and later pressings included a censored version of the song.

In September 1990, members of hip hop act Above the Law clashed with Ice Cube and his posse Da Lench Mob during the annual New Music Seminar conference, forcing the latter to flee the premises of Times Square's Marriott Marquis, the venue of the event. On January 27, 1991, Dr. Dre assaulted Dee Barnes, host of the hip hop show ''Pump It Up'', after its coverage of the N.W.A/Ice Cube beef.

According to ''Rolling Stone'' reporter Alan Light:

In response, Dre commented: "People talk all this shit, but you know, somebody fuck with me, I'm gonna fuck with them. I just did it, you know. Ain't nothing you can do now by talking about it. Besides, it ain't no big thing—I just threw her through a door."

The End of N.W.A (1991–1995)

1991's ''Niggaz4Life'' would be the group's final album. After Dr. Dre, The D.O.C. and Michel'le departed from Ruthless to join Death Row Records and allegations over Eazy-E being coerced into signing away their contracts (while however retaining a portion of their publishing rights), a bitter rivalry ensued. Dr. Dre began the exchange with Death Row's first release, 1992's ''Fuck Wit Dre Day (And Everybody's Celebratin')'', and its accompanying video featured a character named "Sleazy-E" who ran around desperately trying to get money. The insults continued on ''The Chronic'' with "Bitches Ain't Shit."

Eazy-E responded in 1993 with the EP ''It's On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa'' on the tracks "Real Muthaphuckkin G's" and "It's On." Eazy-E accused Dr. Dre of being a homosexual, calling him a "she thang," and the music video for "Real Muthaphuckkin Gs" showed promotional still of Dre wearing make-up and a sequined jumpsuit. The photos dated back to Dr. Dre's World Class Wreckin' Cru days, when such fashion was common among West Coast electro hop artists, prior to N.W.A's popularization of gangsta rap.

After Eazy-E's AIDS-related death on March 26, 1995, all bad blood between the group ceased. Dr. Dre and Ice Cube would later express their re-evaluated feelings to their old friend on 1999's "What's The Difference" and "Chin Check," 2000's "Hello," and 2006's "Growin' Up." In the 2011 music video "I Need a Doctor," Dr. Dre visits Eazy-E's grave at the end of the video.

Reunions and legacy (1995–present)

Having both parted with Ruthless Records on bad terms, tensions between Ice Cube and Dr. Dre eased on the other hand. Ice Cube made a cameo appearance in Dr. Dre's "Let Me Ride" video in 1993. The two recorded the hit song "Natural Born Killaz" for Snoop Doggy Dogg's 1994 short film and soundtrack ''Murder Was the Case''. MC Ren appeared on Dre's 1999 album ''The Chronic 2001'', and the three remaining N.W.A emcees would reunite for "Hello" on Ice Cube's 2000 album ''War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)'', featuring the hook "I started this gangsta shit / And this the motherfuckin' thanks I get?".

The West Coast and "gangsta" music scene had however fallen out of the spotlight since the death of Tupac Shakur in 1996, and it was only after Dr. Dre's successful patronage of Eminem and Dre's ensuing comeback album ''The Chronic 2001'' that the genre and its artists would regain the national spotlight. 2000's all-star Up In Smoke Tour would reunite much of the N.W.A and Death Row families, and during time spent on the road, Dre, Eminem, Ice Cube, MC Ren, and guest star Snoop Dogg began recording in a mobile studio. A comeback album entitled ''Not These Niggaz Again'' was planned (and would include DJ Yella, who had not been present on the tour).

However, due to busy and conflicting schedules as well as the obstacles of coordinating three different record labels (Priority, No Limit and Interscope), obtaining the rights to the name N.W.A and endorsing the whole project to gain exclusive rights, the album never materialized. Only two tracks from these sessions would be released: "Chin Check" (with Snoop Dogg as a member of N.W.A) from 1999's ''Next Friday'' soundtrack and ''Hello'' from Ice Cube's 2000 album ''War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)''. Both songs would appear on N.W.A's remastered and re-released ''Greatest Hits''.

There would also be partial reunions on "Set It Off," from Snoop Dogg's ''Tha Last Meal'' (2000), which featured MC Ren and Ice Cube as well as former Death Row "inmates," and The D.O.C.'s "The Shit," from his 2003 album ''Deuce'', which featured MC Ren, Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg and Six-Two. Dr. Dre and DJ Yella were present in the studio for the latter song.

In addition to the ''Greatest Hits'' initially released by Priority in 1996, Capitol and Ruthless Records jointly released ''The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 1: 1988-1998'' in 1998, an album that contained only three songs from the actual group but various solo tracks from the five members. The success of the album prompted a second volume, ''The N.W.A Legacy, Vol. 2'', two years later. It emulated the format of its predecessor, containing only three genuine N.W.A tracks and many solo efforts by the crew members. In 2007, a new greatest hits package was released, entitled ''The Best of N.W.A: The Strength of Street Knowledge''.

Future biopic

New Line Cinema representatives announced to ''Entertainment Weekly's'' "Hollywood Insider Blog" that N.W.A's story is in development to become a feature film for theatrical release in 2012. According to the Internet Movie Database, the script was researched and written by filmmaker S. Leigh Savidge and radio veteran Alan Wenkus, who worked closely with Eazy-E's widow, Tomica Woods-Wright. Wright, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre will act as producers of the film.

As of October 2010, a director has not yet been chosen. However, the producers are reportedly seeking someone on par with ''8 Mile'' director Curtis Hanson. The cast also has yet to be disclosed. To date, MC Ren and DJ Yella have not commented on whether or not they will be involved in the production. Casting calls began in the summer of 2010. There have been rumors of Lil Eazy-E playing his father Eazy-E, and Ice Cube's son and fellow rapper O'Shea Jackson II playing his father as well.

Discography

''Niggaz4Life''

style="background:#dde; width:40px;"	Year	Name	Type	Ref
1988 in music	1988	''Straight Outta Compton''	Studio album
1991 in music	1991	|	Studio album

Members

Original members

Arabian Prince (1986–1989)

DJ Yella (1986–1991)

Dr. Dre (1986–1991)

Eazy-E (1986–1991)

Ice Cube (1986–1989)

MC Ren (1988–1991)

Partial reunion and "Up in Smoke" tour members

Dr. Dre (1999–2000)

Ice Cube (1999–2000)

MC Ren (1999–2000)

Snoop Dogg (1999–2000)

References

External links

Official website

Category:African American musical groups Category:Dr. Dre Ice Cube Category:Musical groups established in 1986 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1991 Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles, California Category:Musical quintets Category:Obscenity controversies Category:Priority Records artists Category:Ruthless Records artists Category:West Coast hip hop groups

ar:أن.دبليو.أي bs:N.W.A. bg:N.W.A cs:N.W.A da:N.W.A de:N.W.A et:N.W.A es:N.W.A. fr:Niggaz Wit Attitudes fy:N.W.A. gd:N.W.A. ko:N.W.A hr:N.W.A. id:N.W.A. it:N.W.A. he:N.W.A lv:N.W.A. mk:N.W.A nl:N.W.A ja:N.W.A. no:N.W.A. pl:N.W.A. pt:N.W.A ro:N.W.A. ru:N.W.A simple:N.W.A sk:N.W.A. fi:N.W.A sv:N.W.A. tr:N.W.A

name	W.A.S.P.
landscape	Yes
background	group_or_band
genre	Heavy metal, glam metal
origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
years active	1982–present
label	Demolition, Capitol Records, CMC International Records
associated acts	London, New York Dolls, Circus Circus, Sister, Quiet Riot, Five Finger Death Punch
website
current members	Blackie LawlessDoug BlairMike DudaMike Dupke
past members	See: W.A.S.P. former members section }}

W.A.S.P. is an American heavy metal band formed in 1982. They emerged from the same Los Angeles scene that spawned Mötley Crüe, Ratt, Quiet Riot and others. The band's popularity peaked in the 1980s, yet they continue to record and tour, making them one of the most enduring of the West Coast heavy metal bands. W.A.S.P. gained notoriety for their shock rock themed image, lyrics and live performances. They have sold over 12 million copies of their albums.

The band was a prominent target in the mid-1980s of the Parents Music Resource Center (PMRC) led by Tipper Gore, wife of then-Senator Al Gore (D-TN), an organization that pushed for warning labels on recorded music. The band immortalized its fight with the PMRC on the song "Harder, Faster" from their 1987 live album, ''Live...In the Raw''.

In October 2007, W.A.S.P. embarked on The Crimson Idol Tour, to celebrate that album's 15th anniversary. It is the first time that the album, often regarded to be among the band's finest work, was to be played in full from start to finish. The tour kicked off in Greece, in Thessaloniki at the Principal Club Theater on October 26, 2007. It was also announced that this tour would be W.A.S.P.'s last tour for some time. However, the band already confirmed some European festival appearances for summer 2009.

Blackie Lawless remains the only member from the original line-up. They released their most recent album in November 2009, entitled ''Babylon''.

Band name

There has been much speculation over the origin of the band's name, and if it stands for anything, since it is written as an acronym. In an interview in the 1980s, the band claimed it stood for "We Are Sexual Perverts" or "We Are Sexual Prophets". (It is not known whether this was a serious statement.) It is believed by many that they said it for shock value. However, "We Are Sexual Perverts" is inscribed on the runoff vinyl of their debut album.

Alternatively, some people believe the initials W.A.S.P. stand for "We Are So Perfect" or even "We Are So Powerful". Another possible abbreviation is "White Anglo-Saxon Protestants", being the original meaning of the acronym. However, this is unlikely considering the fact that Blackie Lawless' mother is part Native American. It could be sarcastic, seeing as songs like "Animal (F Like a Beast)" hardly fit into the usual picture of White Anglo-Saxon Protestantism. It has also been rumored that their name is an acronym for "We Are Satan's People", "We Ate Savory Pancakes" or even "We Are Satan's Preachers". When asked about the band's name, Lawless has avoided giving a straight answer; in one interview he answered "We ain't sure, pal". (Note the first letters in the words.)

Blackie Lawless has told another story on how W.A.S.P. acquired its name. He said he and a friend were walking in the backyard and saw a wasp nest on the ground under a tree and decided to call the band ''WASP''. The band later decided to add a period between each letter to make it stand out more when people saw it. A former member, Rik Fox has stated that he was the "friend" that coined the name WASP. The original drummer Tony Richards has stated in an interview that Rik Fox and Blackie Lawless were outside making a smoke machine when a wasp landed on Rik's hand. He then said "Damn, that would be a killer name for the band". In a February 2010 interview, Lawless stated the main reason for the name was the periods. He claimed no band had ever used them before, and, in essence, the periods created a "question mark of uncertainty" to make them stand out more. He then went to say, "look where we are: it did!"

History

The original lineup of W.A.S.P. was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1982 by Blackie Lawless, Randy Piper, Rik Fox, and Tony Richards. The band became notorious for its raunchy and, at times, shocking live shows. Lawless was known to tie semi-naked models to a torture rack, and to also hurl raw meat into the audience. The band's debut single, entitled ''Animal (Fuck Like A Beast)'', and its cover were equally controversial.

The first lineup didn't last for long, as Rik Fox was let go and went on to join the band Steeler with (then unknown) vocalist Ron Keel and guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen. He was replaced by Don Costa. Shortly afterward, Don Costa also left the band and his position on the bass was filled by Lawless. At the same time, guitarist Chris Holmes joined the band.

W.A.S.P. signed to Capitol Records for their debut album, ''W.A.S.P.'', released on August 17, 1984. The debut was at one time planned for release with the title ''Winged Assassins''. The band's first single "Animal (Fuck Like A Beast)" was omitted from the album in the United States to prevent it from being banned from major chain stores.

"L.O.V.E. Machine" and "I Wanna Be Somebody" helped the album sell, and set the band up for "Blind In Texas", a song written in St. Paul, Minnesota, by Blackie Lawless. The song was released on their next album ''The Last Command'' on November 9, 1985. ''The Last Command'' is still W.A.S.P.'s highest charting album, peaking at #47 on the Billboard album chart. "Blind In Texas" is perhaps their best known song, more than 20 years later. ''The Last Command'' was also the first album with new drummer Steve Riley. The former Keel drummer replaced Tony Richards at the beginning of the 1984-85 tour.

After ''The Last Command'' tour, guitarist Randy Piper departed the band. Former King Kobra bassist Johnny Rod joined W.A.S.P. as Lawless went back to playing rhythm guitar.

With the lineup changes made, they recorded their third album, titled ''Inside the Electric Circus''. It was released on November 8, 1986. The album was a big hit with W.A.S.P. fans. Critics, on the other hand, dismissed it as "7th-grader rock". Songs like "Shoot From The Hip" and the minor hit single "95-N.A.S.T.Y." helped the band live up to the reputation of one of the possible meanings of their band name, "We Are Sexual Perverts". However, Blackie Lawless himself, known to be a harsh critic of his own work, cited in the albums re-release liner notes that ''Inside the Electric Circus'' was "[a] tired record by a tired band". Ultimately it was an unfavorable critical review of the single "95-N.A.S.T.Y." that convinced Lawless to take some time off and reconsider the band's creative direction.

''W.A.S.P.'' became a very prominent target of the Parents Music Resource Center, an organization led by Tipper Gore and dedicated to opposing music with lyrics deemed violent or overtly sexual in content. This lowered the band's reputation to such a degree that concert halls were getting bomb threats, band members were receiving death threats by the hundreds, and singer Blackie Lawless was shot at twice (though not hit). Interestingly, the publicity this controversy generated ultimately improved album sales. Lawless sued and won a case against the PMRC for copyright infringement.

In 1987 W.A.S.P. had their song "Scream Until You Like It" included on the soundtrack of the movie ''Ghoulies 2''. The same year, a few dates during the ''Inside the Electric Circus'' tour were recorded and on November 27, 1987, the Long Beach arena concert was released as the ''Live...In the Raw'' album. Unfortunately, by this time, Steve Riley had left W.A.S.P. to join L.A. Guns.

W.A.S.P.'s fifth album, ''The Headless Children'', was released on April 15, 1989 and was their first album without any overtly sexually explicit songs included. It was also their first album to sell rather poorly, only reaching #48 on the Billboard 200 before quickly falling off the charts. However, it would be W.A.S.P.'s most critically acclaimed work up to that point and, according to a recent Lawless interview, it is now actually the highest selling W.A.S.P. album to date. The drumming duties for the album were handled by former Quiet Riot drummer Frankie Banali. It featured two of the band's most highly acclaimed songs, the power ballad "Forever Free" and a cover of The Who's "The Real Me".

Chris Holmes left the band in August 1989, stating that he wanted to "have fun, you know". Lawless responded with a caustic remark about the fact that 'some guys want to stay at home and wear aprons,' hinting at the nature of Chris Holmes' relationship with his new wife Lita Ford. The band effectively disbanded a few months later with Blackie Lawless embarking on a short lived solo career. Lawless was originally slated to play T-1000 in the movie ''Terminator 2: Judgment Day'', but was later replaced by Robert Patrick after Arnold Schwarzenegger deemed Lawless "too tall". Blackie commenced work on his solo project, but under pressure from both promoters and fans, he released it as a W.A.S.P. album. Ironically, many critics feel that the resulting concept album, ''The Crimson Idol'', has been the best W.A.S.P. output so far.

The follow-up to ''The Crimson Idol'' was ''Still Not Black Enough'' (1995), a collection of dark, introspective tunes that extended the ''Crimson Idol'' mythology. This time, rather than "hiding behind" alter ego Jonathan Steele, Lawless spoke directly to the audience about his own feelings (as stated in the liner notes). While the album lacked the cohesiveness of its predecessor, the lyrics still explored similar topics to ''Crimson Idol'': being an outcast and misfit, the pressures of fame and society, and the search for love. ''Still Not Black Enough'' also included cover songs as "bonus tracks". The initial European edition included a different track listing from the American version and a subsequent American re-issue featured yet a different track listing. No version to date includes all the various tracks on one disc.

Chris Holmes returned to ''W.A.S.P.'' in 1996 and together they released ''Kill.Fuck.Die'' (1997) and ''Helldorado'' (1999). They also recorded two live albums from these tours, ''Double Live Assassins'' and ''The Sting'' respectively. ''The Sting'' CD and DVD were taken directly from an experimental webcast that Lawless claims to have had no control over. This release angered him as he was unhappy with the sound and picture quality.

The band continued with the album ''Unholy Terror'' in 2001. Chris Holmes left the band once again in 2002, stating that he wanted to 'play the blues'. He hooked up with fellow ex-W.A.S.P. member Randy Piper's band Animal, but soon dropped out of that project also. Holmes, for his part, has claimed he never played on ''Unholy Terror''.

''Dying for the World'', released in 2002, was written and recorded in less than a year which is very fast by Lawless' perfectionist standards. Its liner notes feature one of Lawless' strongest statements about political correctness, inspired by the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

In April 2004, W.A.S.P. released the first part of ''The Neon God'', subtitled ''The Rise'', a conceptual album about an abused and orphaned boy who finds that he has the ability to read and manipulate people. The second part, ''The Demise'', was released in September 2004.

In 2005, W.A.S.P. headlined American Metal Blast. A video shoot for the track "Never Say Die" was planned with Ward Boult, a fetish photographer, directing. To this day, there has been no news as to whether the shoot resulted in anything concrete. It would have been the first W.A.S.P. promo video in ten years, the last being 1995's "Black Forever".

Early 2006 saw the seemingly stable lineup fall apart. Long-time session and tour drummer Stet Howland left first (on amicable terms), promising more specific information about the reasons for the split to be posted on his website. Larry Howe of Vicious Rumors was considered as a replacement. In May, the departure of guitarist Darrell Roberts, who went on to join the band Five Finger Death Punch, was announced and new guitar player Mark Zavon was brought in several days before the first tour date. The same press release confirmed Mike Dupke, and not Howe, would be the new drummer. Furthermore, two days later, Zavon was out of the picture as well, seeing Doug Blair step in on guitar.

A new album, ''Dominator'' was planned for release in October 2006, according to a statement made by Blackie Lawless at a tour stop in Kavarna. He then went on to play a new song from the album, entitled ''Mercy''. A few weeks later, the release of the album was postponed until April 2007, with the band recording two news songs and dropping two cover songs, to be used instead as bonus tracks.

The release of the ''Dominator'' album was finalized for April 16 in the UK, April 20 in Scandinavia with the rest of mainland Europe following on April 27. The release dates for South America and Russia followed in early May.

''Dominator'' reached #72 on the charts in Germany.

W.A.S.P. cancelled their North American tour due to their record label's loss of a distributor. They were going to finish up their shows in Europe and then reschedule their shows in the United States. They were unable to finish the shows in Europe because of a "family illness that needed immediate attention" which forced the band to return to Los Angeles right away. They were originally going to perform at Rocklahoma. As the tour was cancelled, W.A.S.P. was not able to perform at Rocklahoma and was replaced by Queensrÿche.

W.A.S.P. announced a European tour which included dates in Scotland, England and other places throughout Europe in late October 2007.

W.A.S.P. released their latest studio album, entitled ''Babylon'' in late 2009, via Demolition Records.

Blackie Lawless has in recent interviews claimed that he is never going to play the song "Animal (Fuck Like A Beast)" live again, due to his religious beliefs. These beliefs are what has allegedly been behind Blackies Lawless' self censorship of his own lyrics during the 'Babylon World Tour', most notably during the performance of 'Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue)'.

Recently, on The Beast of Babylon Tour, Blackie has canceled two shows within a week of each other. The first cancellation came about at the Gramercy Theater in New York City after the band discovered that the venue had been selling V.I.P. meet and greet tickets for twice the amount of the general admission price. The band made a statement claiming, "We have never charged a fan for an autograph and will never charge any fans for an autograph." The second cancellation occurred when the Crocodile Rock venue in Allentown, Pennsylvania wanted 50% of all of the band's profit, according to Lawless.

Tours

Pre-W.A.S.P. Gigs 1976-1980

Early Shows 1982-83

Winged Assassins Tour 1984-85

Last Command Tour 1986

Inside the Electric Circus Tour 1986-87

The Headless Children Tour 1989

The Crimson Idol Tour 1992

Kill.Fuck.Die. World Tour 1996-1998

Helldorado World Tour 1999-2000

Unholy Terror Tour 2001

The Neon God World Tour 2004

Tour 2005-2006

The Crimon Idol Tour 2007-2008

Sonic & Bloody Massacre Tour 2009

Beast Of Babylon World Tour 2009-2010

Return To Babylon Tour 2010

Current members

Blackie Lawless (1982–present) - lead vocals, rhythm guitar (played bass, drums and keyboards on various albums)

Doug Blair (1992, 2001, 2006–present) - lead guitar, backing vocals

Mike Duda (1997–present) - bass, backing vocals

Mike Dupke (2006–present) - drums

Former members

Randy Piper – guitar (1982–1986)

Joe Geis – bass (1982)

Rik Fox – bass (1982)

Tony Richards – drums (1982–1984)

Chris Holmes – guitar (1983–1990, 1996–2001)

Steve Riley – drums (1984–1987)

Johnny Rod – bass (1986–1989, 1992–1993)

Glenn Soderling – drums (1987)

Kelly Martella – drums (1987)

Frankie Banali – drums & percussion (1989–1990, 1992, 1995, 2001, 2004)

Stet Howland – drums (1991–2005)

David Chirico – bass (1993)

Darrell Roberts – guitar (2001–2006)

Guest members

Valentina – vocals on ''Unholy Terror''

Bob Kulick – lead guitar (1989–1995) (live performer and guest on ''The Crimson Idol'' and ''Still Not Black Enough'')

Roy Z – additional lead guitar on ''Unholy Terror''

Mark Josephson – violin on ''Still Not Black Enough''

Lita Ford – lead guitar on "Sunset And Babylon" and backing vocals on "Thunderhead"

Ken Hensley – keyboards on ''The Headless Children''

Philip Wolfe – keyboards

Patrick Johansson – live drums (2006)

Discography

Studio albums

''W.A.S.P.'' (August 17, 1984) #74 on the Billboard Charts – Certified Gold by RIAA ''The Last Command'' (November 9, 1985) #47 on the Billboard Charts – Certified Gold by RIAA

''Inside the Electric Circus'' (November 8, 1986) #60 on the Billboard Charts

''The Headless Children'' (April 15, 1989) #48 on the Billboard Charts

''The Crimson Idol'' (June 8, 1992) #47 on the Billboard Charts

''Still Not Black Enough'' (June, 1995)

''Kill Fuck Die'' (April 29, 1997)

''Helldorado'' (May 18, 1999)

''Unholy Terror'' (2001)

''Dying for the World'' (2002)

''The Neon God: Part 1 – The Rise'' (2004)

''The Neon God: Part 2 – The Demise'' (2004)

''Dominator'' (2007)

''Babylon'' (2009)

Live albums

''Live...In the Raw'' (November 27, 1987)

''Live...Animal (EP)'' (November 27, 1987)

''Double Live Assassins'' (1998)

''The Sting'' (2000)

Compilations

''First Blood Last Cuts'' (1994)

''The Best Of The Best: 1984-1999, Vol. 1'' (2000)

''The Best Of The Best'' 2CD (2007)

Singles

''Animal (Fuck Like A Beast)'' 1984

"School Daze" 1985

"I Don't Need No Doctor" 1987

"The Real Me" 1989

"Chainsaw Charlie (Murders In The New Morgue)" 1992

"Hold On To My Heart" 1992

"I Am One" 1992

"The Idol" 1992

"The Story Of Jonathan" 1992

"Black Forever, Goodbye America" 1995

Tribute albums

''W.A.S.P. Tribute - The Crimson Covers'' (April 23, 2010)

Videos

''Live At The Lyceum, London'' (1984)

''Videos...In The Raw'' (1987)

''First Blood Last Visions'' (1993)

''The Sting: Live at the Key Club L.A.'' (2000)

Filmography

W.A.S.P. appeared in the 1985 movie ''The Dungeonmaster'', originally released in 1983 as ''Ragewar: The Challenges Of Excalibrate'' and ''Digital Knights'', starring Jeffrey Byron, Richard Moll and Leslie Wing. At the time of filming, band members included Blackie Lawless, Chris Holmes, Randy Piper and Tony Richards.

W.A.S.P. has a brief cameo in the 1986 movie "TerrorVision". They appear briefly while the family is channel surfing.

Notes

References

Blackie Lawless interview for "Babylon, metalpaths.com, 2009

Press release for ''Dominator''

Crimson Idol Tour 2007 & 2008

Madrock.com

External links

Official website

Blackie Lawless interview, Sleaze Roxx, 2010

Review and promotion of "Burn"

Blackie Lawless interview, TheyWillRockYou.com, 2010

Category:Heavy metal musical groups from California Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles, California Category:Rock music groups from California Category:Musical groups established in 1982

bg:У.А.С.П. ca:W.A.S.P. cs:W.A.S.P. da:W.A.S.P. de:W.A.S.P. es:W.A.S.P. fa:وسپ fr:W.A.S.P. it:W.A.S.P. lv:W.A.S.P. lt:W.A.S.P. hu:W.A.S.P. (együttes) mk:W.A.S.P. nl:W.A.S.P. ja:W.A.S.P. no:W.A.S.P. pl:W.A.S.P. pt:W.A.S.P. ru:W.A.S.P. sq:W.A.S.P. simple:W.A.S.P. fi:W.A.S.P. sv:W.A.S.P. tr:W.A.S.P. uk:W.A.S.P.

Name	Snoop Dogg
Birth name	Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr.
Born	October 20, 1971
Origin	Long Beach, California, U.S.
Occupation	Rapper, entrepreneur, lyricist, actor, record producer, entertainer film producer, businessman, television producer
Religion	Islam
Genre	Hip hop, gangsta rap, g-funk, R&B;
Years active	1991–present
Label	Priority, EMI Records, Capitol Records, Doggystyle
Associated acts	Tha Eastsidaz, Dr. Dre, Cypress Hill, 2Pac, Akon, Bow Wow, 213, 50 Cent, Xzibit, Tha Dogg Pound, Nate Dogg, Game
Website
Background	solo_singer }}

Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Jr. (born October 20, 1971), better known by his stage name Snoop Dogg, is an American rapper, record producer, marijuana activist, actor and entertainer. Snoop is best known as a rapper in the West Coast hip hop scene, and for being one of Dr. Dre's most notable protégés. Snoop Dogg was a Crip gang member while in high school. Shortly after graduation, he was arrested for cocaine possession and spent six months in Wayside County Jail. His music career began in 1992 after his release when he was discovered by Dr. Dre. He collaborated on several tracks on Dre's solo debut, ''The Chronic'' and on the titular theme song to the film ''Deep Cover''.

Snoop's debut album ''Doggystyle'', was released in 1993 under Death Row Records debuting at No.1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B; charts. Selling almost a million copies in the first week of its release, ''Doggystyle'' quickly became certified quadruple platinum in 1994 and spawned several hit singles, including "What's My Name" and "Gin & Juice". In 1994, Snoop released a soundtrack on Death Row Records for the short film ''Murder Was The Case'', starring himself. In early 1996, Snoop Dogg was cleared of charges over his bodyguard's 1993 murder of Philip Woldemariam. His second album, late 1996's ''Tha Doggfather'', also debuted at No.1 on both charts with "Snoop's Upside Ya Head" as the lead single. The album sold only half as well, being certified double platinum in 1997.

''Tha Doggfather'' was his last release for Death Row before he signed with No Limit Records, where he recorded his next three albums. ''Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told'' in 1998, ''No Limit Top Dogg'' in 1999 (making it his last album of the 90s), and ''Tha Last Meal'' in 2000, which was his last No Limit Records album. Snoop then signed with Priority/Capitol/EMI Records in 2002, where he released his album ''Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss''. Then he signed with Geffen Records in 2004 for his next three albums ''R&G; (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece'', ''Tha Blue Carpet Treatment'', ''Ego Trippin''', and ''Malice 'n Wonderland''. His most recent release, which was on Priority, was ''Doggumentary'' in March 2011.

In addition to music, Snoop Dogg has starred in motion pictures and hosted several television shows: ''Doggy Fizzle Televizzle'', ''Snoop Dogg's Father Hood'' and ''Dogg After Dark''. He also coaches a youth football league and high school football team. He has run into many legal troubles, some of which caused him to be legally banned from the UK and Australia, although the UK ban was later reversed after a long legal battle. He is the cousin of emcees Nate Dogg, Daz Dillinger, RBX and Lil' ½ Dead and the cousin of R&B; singers Brandy and Ray J. Starting September 2009, Snoop was hired by EMI as the chairman of a reactivated Priority Records. His eleventh studio album, ''Doggumentary'', was released March 29, 2011.

Life and career

Early life

Named after his stepfather, Calvin Cordozar Broadus, Sr. (December 10, 1948 – November 9, 1985, Los Angeles), Calvin Broadus was born October 20, 1971 at the Los Altos Hospital in Long Beach, California, the second of three sons of Beverly Broadus (née Tate; born April 27, 1951, McComb, Mississippi). His father, Vernall Varnado (born December 13, 1949, Magnolia, Mississippi), was a Vietnam veteran, singer, and mail carrier who was said to be frequently absent from his life. Broadus' parents nicknamed him "Snoopy" as a child because of his appearance, but usually addressed him as Calvin at home. His mother and stepfather divorced in 1975. At an early age, Broadus began singing in Golgotha Trinity Baptist Church and playing piano; when he was in sixth grade, he began rapping. He attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, and was convicted for cocaine trafficking, serving six months at the Wayside County Jail.

As a teenager, Snoop Dogg frequently ran into trouble with the law. Snoop Dogg was a member of the Rollin' 20 Crips gang in the Eastside of Long Beach, although he stated in 1993 that he never joined a gang. Shortly after graduating from high school, he was arrested for possession of cocaine. Snoop Dogg's conviction caused him to be frequently in and out of prison for the first three years after he graduated from high school. Snoop, along with his cousins Nate Dogg and Lil' ½ Dead and friend Warren G, recorded home made tapes as a group called 213, named after the Long Beach area code at the time. One of his early solo freestyles over En Vogue's "Hold On" had made it to a mixtape which was heard by influential producer Dr. Dre, who phoned to invite him to an audition. Former N.W.A member The D.O.C. taught him how to structure his lyrics and separate the thematics into verses, hooks and chorus.

1992–93: Career beginnings and ''Doggystyle''

When he began recording, Broadus took the stage name Snoop Doggy Dogg. Dr. Dre began working with Snoop Dogg, first on the theme song of the 1992 film ''Deep Cover'', and then on Dr. Dre's debut solo album ''The Chronic'' with the other members of his former starting group, Tha Dogg Pound. The huge success of Snoop Dogg's debut ''Doggystyle'' was partially because of this intense exposure.

To fuel the ascendance of West Coast G-funk hip hop, the singles "Who Am I (What's My Name)?" and "Gin and Juice" reached the top ten most-played songs in the United States, and the album stayed on the Billboard charts for several months. Gangsta rap became the center of arguments for censorship and labeling, with Snoop Dogg often used as an example of violent and misogynistic musicians. ''Doggystyle'', much like ''The Chronic'', featured a host of rappers signed to or affiliated with the Death Row label including Daz Dillinger, Kurupt, Nate Dogg and others. ''Rolling Stone'' music critic Touré asserted that Snoop had a relatively soft vocal delivery compared to other rappers: "Snoop's vocal style is part of what distinguishes him: where many rappers scream, figuratively and literally, he speaks softly."

A short film about Snoop Dogg's murder trial called ''Murder Was The Case'', was released in 1994, along with an accompanying soundtrack. On July 6, 1995, Doggy Style Records, Inc., a record label founded by Snoop Dogg, was registered with the California Secretary of State as business entity number C1923139.

1996–97: ''Tha Doggfather''

After Snoop Dogg was acquitted of murder charges on February 20, 1996, he and the mother of his son and their kennel of 20 pit bulls moved into a home in the hills of Claremont, California and by August 1996 Doggy Style Records, a subsidiary of Death Row Records, signed The Gap Band's Charlie Wilson as one of the record label's first artists.

However, by the time Snoop Dogg's second album, ''Tha Doggfather'', was released in November 1996, the price of living (or sometimes just imitating) the gangsta life had become very evident. Among the many notable hip hop industry deaths and convictions were the death of Snoop Dogg's friend and labelmate 2Pac and the racketeering indictment of Death Row co-founder Suge Knight. Dr. Dre had left Death Row earlier in 1996 because of a contract dispute, so Snoop Dogg co-produced ''Tha Doggfather'' with Daz Dillinger and DJ Pooh.

This album featured a distinct change of style as compared to ''Doggystyle'', and the leadoff single, "Snoop's Upside Ya Head", featured a collaboration with Gap Band frontman Charlie Wilson. While the album sold reasonably well, it was not as successful as its predecessor. However, ''Tha Doggfather'' had a somewhat softer approach to the G-funk style. The immediate aftermath of Dr. Dre's withdrawal from Death Row Records, realizing that he was subject to an iron-clad time-based contract (i.e., that Death Row practically owned anything he produced for a number of years), Snoop Dogg refused to produce any more tracks for Suge Knight, other than the insulting "Fuck Death Row", until his contract expired. In an interview with Neil Strauss in 1998, Snoop Dogg stated that though he had been given lavish gifts by his former label they had withheld royalty payments to the artist.

Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic said that after ''Tha Doggfather'', Snoop Dogg began "moving away from his gangsta roots toward a calmer lyrical aesthetic": for instance, Snoop participated in the 1997 Lollapalooza concert tour, which featured mainly alternative rock music. Troy J. Augusto of ''Variety'' noticed that Snoop's set at Lollapalooza attracted "much dancing, and, strangely, even a small mosh pit" in the audience.

1998–2000: ''Tha Doggfather'', ''No Limit'', ''Top Dogg'' and ''Tha Last Meal''

Snoop signed with Master P's No Limit Records (distributed by Priority/EMI Records) in 1998 and debuted on the label with ''Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told'' that year. His other albums from No Limit were ''No Limit Top Dogg'' in 1999 (selling over 1,503,865 copies) and ''Tha Last Meal'' in 2000 (selling over 1,000,000). In 2001, his autobiography, ''Tha Doggfather'', was published.

2002: ''Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$''

In 2002 he released the album ''Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$'', on Priority/Capitol/EMI Records, selling over 1,300,000 copies. The album featured the hit singles "From tha Chuuuch to da Palace" and "Beautiful", featuring guest vocals by Pharrell. By this stage in his career, Snoop Dogg had left behind his "gangster" image and embraced a "pimp" image.

2004–05: ''R&G; (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece''

In 2004, Snoop signed to Geffen Records/Star Trak Entertainment both of which are distributed through Interscope Records; Star Trak is headed by producer duo The Neptunes, which produced several tracks for Snoop's 2004 release ''R&G; (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece''. "Drop It Like It's Hot" (featuring Pharrell), the first single released from the album, was a hit and became Snoop Dogg's first single to reach number one. His third release was "Signs", featuring Justin Timberlake and Charlie Wilson, which entered the UK chart at #2. This was his highest entry ever in the UK chart. The album sold 1,724,000 copies in the U.S. alone, and most of its singles were heavily played on radio and television. Snoop Dogg joined Warren G and Nate Dogg to form the group 213 and released album ''The Hard Way'' in 2004. Debuting at No.4 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and No.1 on the Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums, it included single "Groupie Luv". Together with fellow rappers Lil' Jon, Xzibit and David Banner, Snoop Dogg appeared in the music video for Korn's "Twisted Transistor".

2006: ''Tha Blue Carpet Treatment''

Snoop Dogg's appeared on two tracks from Ice Cube's 2006 album ''Laugh Now, Cry Later'', including the single "Go to Church", and on several tracks on Tha Dogg Pound's ''Cali Iz Active'' the same year. Also, his latest song, "Real Talk", was leaked over the Internet in the summer of 2006 and a video was later released on the Internet. "Real Talk" was a dedication to former Crips leader Stanley "Tookie" Williams and a diss to Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Governor of California. Two other singles on which Snoop made a guest performance were "Keep Bouncing" by Too $hort (also with will.i.am of The Black Eyed Peas) and "Gangsta Walk" by Coolio.

Snoop's 2006 album, ''Tha Blue Carpet Treatment'', debuted on the Billboard 200 at No.5 and has sold over 850,000 copies. The album and the second single "That's That Shit" featuring R. Kelly were well received by critics. In the album, he collaborated in a video with E-40 and other West Coast rappers for his single "Candy (Drippin' Like Water)".

2007–08: ''Ego Trippin'''

In July 2007, Snoop Dogg also made history by becoming the first artist to release a track as a ringtone prior to its release as a single, which was "It's the D.O.G." On July 7, 2007, Snoop Dogg performed at the Live Earth concert, Hamburg. Snoop Dogg has ventured into singing for Bollywood with his first ever rap for an Indian movie ''Singh Is Kinng''; the title of the song is also "Singh is Kinng". He also appears in the movie as himself. The album featuring the song was released on June 8, 2008 on Junglee Music Records. He released his ninth studio album, ''Ego Trippin''' (selling 400,000 copies in the U.S.), along with the first single, "Sexual Eruption". The single peaked at No.7 on the Billboard 100, featuring Snoop using autotune. The album featured production from QDT (Quik-Dogg-Teddy).

2009–10: ''Malice n Wonderland'' and ''More Malice''

Snoop was appointed an executive position at Priority Records. His tenth studio album, ''Malice n Wonderland'', was released on December 8, 2009. The first single from the album, "Gangsta Luv", featuring The-Dream, peaked at No.35 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album debuted at No.23 on the Billboard 200, selling 61,000 copies its first week, making it his lowest charting album. His third single, "I Wanna Rock", peaked at No.41 on the Billboard Hot 100. Snoop features on the latest Gorillaz album, ''Plastic Beach''. The fourth single from ''Malice n Wonderland'', titled "Pronto", featuring Soulja Boy Tell 'Em, was released on iTunes on December 1, 2009. Snoop re-released the album under the name ''More Malice''.

2011-present: Doggumentary

Snoop collaborated with Katy Perry on the first single from her second mainstream album, "California Gurls", which was released on May 11, 2010. Snoop can also be heard on the track "Flashing" by Dr. Dre and on Curren$y's song "Seat Change". He was also featured on a new single from Australian singer Jessica Mauboy, titled "Get 'em Girls" (released September 2010). Snoop's latest effort was backing American recording artist, Emii, on her second single entitled "Mr. Romeo" (released October 26, 2010 as a follow-up to "Magic"). Snoop also collaborated with American comedy troupe The Lonely Island in their song "Turtleneck & Chain", in their 2011 album ''Turtleneck & Chain''.

Snoop Dogg's newest studio album is ''Doggumentary'', The album was renamed to ''Doggumentary'' and was released during March 2011. Snoop was featured on Gorillaz' latest album ''Plastic Beach'' on a track called: "Welcome to the World of the Plastic Beach" with the The Hypnotic Brass, he also completed another track with them entitled "Sumthing Like this Night" which does not appear on ''Plastic Beach'', yet does appear on ''Doggumentary''. He also appears on the latest Tech N9ne album ''All 6's And 7's'' (released June 7, 2011) on a track called "Pornographic" which also features E-40 and Krizz Kaliko.

Other ventures

Media appearances

Snoop Dogg has appeared on television and in films throughout his career. In 1998, Snoop had a cameo appearance in the film ''Half Baked'' as the "Scavenger Smoker". In 2000, Snoop (as "Michael J. Corleone") directed ''Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle'', a pornographic film produced by Hustler. The film, combining hip hop with x-rated material, was a huge success and won "Top Selling Release of the Year" at the 2002 AVN Awards. Snoop then directed ''Snoop Dogg's Hustlaz: Diary of a Pimp'' in 2002 (using the nickname "Snoop Scorsese").

In 2001, Snoop lent his voice to the animated show ''King of the Hill'', in which he played a white pimp named Alabaster Jones. He played a lead character in the movie ''The Wash'' with Dr. Dre. He portrayed a drug dealer in a wheelchair in the film ''Training Day'', featuring Denzel Washington. In 2001, Snoop starred in the horror film ''Bones'', with him playing a murdered mobster who returns from the dead to exact his revenge against those who murdered him.

In 2002, Snoop hosted, starred in, and produced his own MTV sketch comedy show entitled Doggy Fizzle Televizzle. Snoop was filmed for a brief cameo appearance in the television movie ''It's a Very Merry Muppet Christmas Movie'' (2002), but his performance was omitted from the final cut of the movie. On November 8, 2004, Snoop Dogg was starred in the episode "Two of a Kind" of NBC's series ''Las Vegas''.

In 2004, Snoop appeared on the Showtime series ''The L Word'' as the character "Slim Daddy". He also notably played the drug dealer-turned-informant character of Huggy Bear, in the 2004 remake film of the 1970s TV-series of the same name, ''Starsky & Hutch''. He appeared as himself in the episode "MILF Money" of ''Weeds'', and made an appearance on the TV shows ''Entourage'' and ''Monk'', for which he recorded a version of the theme, in July 2007.

Snoop founded his own production company, Snoopadelic Films, in 2005. Their debut film was ''Boss'n Up'', a film inspired by Snoop Dogg's album ''R&G;'', starring Lil Jon and Trina.

In December 2007, his reality show ''Snoop Dogg's Father Hood'' premiered on the E! channel. Snoop Dogg joined the NBA's Entertainment League. On March 30, 2008 he appeared at WrestleMania XXIV as a ''Master of Ceremonies'' for a tag team match between Maria and Ashley Massaro as they took on Beth Phoenix and Melina.

On May 8 and May 9, 2008, Snoop appeared as himself on the ABC soap opera ''One Life to Live'', with a new opening theme recorded by the artist presented for both episodes. In the episodes, Snoop performs at the bachelorette party for character Adriana Cramer, and credits Bo Buchanan with helping him get his start in show business. On February 24, 2010, Snoop Dogg reprised his role, performing his song "I Wanna Rock" from his new album, ''Malice n Wonderland'', as well as once again performing a special remixed, vocal rendition of the show's opening theme. In recent interviews he has explained that, as a child, ''One Life to Live'' was one of his favorite shows, and he still regards the show fondly. He has also stated that he has always been a particular fan of Robert S. Woods, who has portrayed the character of Bo Buchanan since 1979.

In 2009, Snoop Dogg appeared in Sacha Baron Cohen's film ''Brüno'' as himself performing a rap addition to the song "Dove Of Peace". On October 19, 2009, Snoop Dogg was the guest host of ''WWE Raw''.

In July 2009, Snoop revealed his desire to appear in the popular soap opera Coronation Street while touring in the UK. However ITV bosses were said to be less keen.

In 2010, Snoop Dogg appeared in an episode of I Get That a Lot on CBS as a parking-lot attendant.

In June 2010, Snoop created a music video for True Blood accompanying a song he wrote for one of the main characters of the show entitled "Oh Sookie."

In March 2011, Snoop participated in Comedy Central's Roast of Donald Trump with other comedians and media personalities.

Endorsements

St. Ides

Snoop Dogg 40 Oz Malt liquor

Adidas Originals

Boost Mobile cell phone

Chrysler 300

Colt 45 Blast

Metro PCS Samsung Galaxy 4G

Orbit Gum

Cal Worthington's Ford dealership in Long Beach, California

"Snoop Doggs" – foot-long hot dogs manufactured in Massachusetts, a joint venture with Platinum One Media

"Snoop Dogg Board Company (SDBC)" – skateboards and Luggage fabrication company (with Pentagon Distribution)

"Snooperbowl" and "Snoop Youth Football league"

"Chronic Candy" – candy that tastes like marijuana (from Switzerland and is currently banned in some cities of US)

''Love Don't Live Here No More, Doggy Tales Vol.1'' – love novel (co-written by David E. Talbert, published by Atria and Snoopadelic Films) ISBN 0-7432-7363-X ''Tha Doggfather : The Times, Trials, And Hardcore Truths Of Snoop Dogg'' – autobiography (published by William Morrow) Hardcover ISBN 0-688-17158-3, Paperback ISBN 0-06-107607-4

''Fear & Respect'' (project cancelled as of March 1, 2006) – PlayStation 2 video game (developed by Midway Games)

"Doggy Biscuitz" – shoe brand (in partnership with Pony International)

"Snoop Dogg Clothing" – streetwear (distributed at Macy's)

"WRFF" – unique design scooters (in cooperation with Salton, Inc.) "Hip Hop Gaming League" – a celebrity online gaming competition (hosted by Global Gaming League) "Snoop Dogg figures" (Vital Toys, SOTA Toys)

"Snoop Dogg Boxing" – mobile phone game (Sony Pictures Mobile)

"Snoop Dogg Pet Accessory Line" (in conjunction with Jakks Pacific) Snoop Dogg is a celebrity voice of a TomTom GPS navigation system. He stated on George Lopez's talk show Lopez Tonight that he is tired of hearing directions from the same woman. In August 2008, Snoop Dogg announced the launch of a new streetwear line called Rich & Infamous, via a partnership with Robert Thorne Co. The line was unveiled during the Magic Tradeshow in Las Vegas. "Hack is Wack" – Promoting Norton AntiVirus. "Coffee Cup With A Cause" with 7 Eleven. "Serious Pimp" clothing line. "iFizzle" iPhone Application. "Vybe Mobile" "Pepsi Max" – Zero Calories

Style and rap skills

Kool Moe Dee ranks Snoop at No.33 in his book ''There's a God on the Mic'', and says he has "an ultra-smooth, laidback delivery", and "flavor-filled melodic rhyming". Peter Shapiro describes Snoop's delivery as a "molasses drawl" and Allmusic notes his "drawled, laconic rhyming" style. Kool Moe Dee refers to Snoop's use of vocabulary, saying he "keeps it real simple...he simplifies it and he's effective in his simplicity".

Snoop is known to freestyle some of his lyrics on the spot for some songs – in the book ''How to Rap'', Lady of Rage says, "Snoop Dogg, when I worked with him earlier in his career, that's how created his stuff... he would freestyle, he wasn't a writer then, he was a freestyler," and The D.O.C. states, "Snoop's [rap] was a one take willy, but his shit was all freestyle. He hadn't written nothing down. He just came in and started busting. The song was "The Shiznit" – [that was all freestyle]. He started busting and when we got to the break, Dre cut the machine off, did the chorus and told Snoop to come back in. He did that throughout the record. That's when Snoop was in the zone then."

Peter Shapiro says that Snoop debuted on "Deep Cover" with a "shockingly original flow – which sounded like a Slick Rick born in South Carolina instead of South London" and adds that he "showed where his style came from by covering Slick Rick's 'La Di Da Di'". as well as 'linking with rhythm' in his compound rhymes, using alliteration, and employing a "sparse" flow with good use of pauses.

Snoop re-popularized the use of ''-izzle speak'', particularly in the pop and hip hop music industry.

Personal life

Broadus's father left the family when Broadus was three months old. Snoop married his high school sweetheart, Shante Taylor, on June 12, 1997. On May 21, 2004, he filed for divorce from Shante, citing irreconcilable differences. The couple renewed their wedding vows on January 12, 2008. R&B; singers Brandy and Ray J are his first cousins. In 2002, the rapper announced he was giving up marijuana, one of his image trademarks, for good. According to his IMDb biography, Snoop is a fan of the thrash metal band Metallica and performed their song "Sad But True" on the band's 2003 MTV Icon Special which is available on YouTube. A DNA test read by George Lopez on ''Lopez Tonight'' revealed Snoop Dogg to be of 0% East Asian, 23% Native American, 6% European, and 71% African descent.

Snoop is an avid fan of hometown teams Los Angeles Dodgers and the Los Angeles Lakers. Snoop is also an avid Pittsburgh Steelers fan. and is often seen wearing Pittsburgh Steelers apparel. Snoop has mentioned that his love for the Steelers began in the 1970s during the team's dynasty years while watching the team with his grandfather growing up in L.A. In the 2005 offseason, Snoop mentioned that he wanted to be an NFL head coach, "probably for the Steelers". The following year, he was in attendance for the Steelers' victory in Super Bowl XL and later in Super Bowl XLIII. He is also a fan of the Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys, often wearing a No.5 jersey, and has been seen in Raiders training camps. He did his own free style rap based on his similarities with Tony Romo. He is also a fan of the USC Trojans Football team. He has also shown affection for the New England Patriots, as he has been seen performing at the Gillette Stadium and picked the Patriots as the favorite to win Super Bowl XXXIX against the Eagles. On August 6, 2009, Snoop visited the training camp of the Baltimore Ravens at McDaniel College in Westminster, Maryland. He was invited by Ray Lewis the day after his concert at the Merriweather Post Pavilion in Columbia, Maryland.

A certified football coach, Snoop Dogg has been head coach for his son's youth football teams and the John A. Rowland High School team.

Snoop Dogg is an avid hockey fan; he sported a Pittsburgh Penguins jersey (with the name and number 'GIN AND JUICE' 94 on the back) and a jersey of the now-defunct Springfield (MA) Indians of the American Hockey League in his 1994 music video, "Gin And Juice". On the E! show, ''Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood'', Snoop Dogg and his family received lessons on playing hockey from the Anaheim Ducks, then returning to the Honda Center to cheer on the Ducks against the Vancouver Canucks in the episode ''Snow in da Hood''.

In 2009, it was revealed that Snoop Dogg was a member of the Nation of Islam. On March 1, 2009, he made an appearance at the Nation of Islam's annual Saviours' Day holiday, where he praised minister Louis Farrakhan. Snoop claimed to be a member of the Nation of Islam, but he declined to give the date on which he joined. He also donated $1,000 to the organization.

Snoop claimed in a 2006 interview with ''Rolling Stone'' magazine that unlike other hip hop artists who've superficially adopted the pimp persona, he was an actual professional pimp in 2003 and 2004, saying "That shit was my natural calling and once I got involved with it, it became fun. It was like shootin' layups for me. I was makin' 'em every time." He goes on to say that upon the advice on some of the other pimps he knew, he eventually gave up pimping to spend more time with his family.

Legal issues

Shortly after graduating from high school, he was arrested for possession of cocaine.

While recording ''Doggystyle'' in August 1993, Snoop Dogg was arrested in connection with the death of Phillip Woldermarian, a member of a rival gang who was shot and killed by Snoop's bodyguard, McKinley Lee; Snoop was charged with murder along with Lee as he was driving the vehicle from which the shooting had commenced. Snoop and Lee were defended by Johnnie Cochran. Both Snoop and Lee were acquitted; Lee was acquitted on grounds of self-defense, but Snoop Dogg remained entangled in the legal battles around the case for three years.

In July 1993, Snoop was stopped for a traffic violation and a firearm was found by police while conducting a search of his car. In February 1997, he pleaded guilty to one count of being an ex-felon in possession of a handgun and was ordered to record three public service announcements, pay a $1,000 fine, and serve three years' probation.

In May 1998, Snoop Dogg was fined and arrested for a misdemeanor of marijuana possession.

In October 2001, Snoop Dogg was arrested again for a misdemeanor of marijuana possession. In 2002 he pleaded no contest and was fined a total of $398.30 and received a suspended 30-day jail sentence.

Snoop Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, and The Game were sued for assaulting a fan on stage at a May 2005 concert at the White River Amphitheatre in Auburn, Washington. The accuser, Richard Monroe, Jr., claimed he was beaten by the artists' entourage while mounting the stage. He alleged that he reacted to an "open invite" to come on stage. Before he could, Snoop’s bodyguards grabbed him and he was beaten unconscious by crewmembers, including the rapper and producer Soopafly; Snoop and The Game were included in the suit for not intervening. The lawsuit focuses on a pecuniary claim of $22 million in punitive and compensatory damages, battery, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. The concerned parties appeared in court in April 2009.

On April 26, 2006, Snoop Dogg and members of his entourage were arrested after being turned away from British Airways' first class lounge at Heathrow Airport. Snoop and his party were not allowed to enter the lounge because some of the entourage were flying first class, other members in economy class. After the group was escorted outside, they vandalized a duty-free shop by throwing whiskey bottles. Seven police officers were injured in the midst of the disturbance. After a night in prison, Snoop and the other men were released on bail on April 27, but he was unable to perform at the Premier Foods People's Concert in Johannesburg on the same day. As part of his bail conditions, he had to return to the police station in May. The group has been banned by British Airways for "the foreseeable future." When Snoop Dogg appeared at a London police station on May 11, he was cautioned for affray under Section 4 of the Public Order Act for use of threatening words or behavior. On May 15, the Home Office decided that Snoop Dogg should be denied entry to the United Kingdom for the foreseeable future due to the incident at Heathrow as well as his previous convictions in the United States for drugs and firearms offenses. Snoop Dogg's visa card was rejected by local authorities on March 24, 2007 because of the Heathrow incident. A concert at London's Wembley Arena on March 27 went ahead with Diddy (with whom he toured Europe) and the rest of the show. However the decision affected four more British performances in Cardiff, Manchester and Glasgow and Budapest (due to rescheduling). As of March 2010, Snoop Dogg has been allowed back into the UK.

On September 27, 2006, Snoop Dogg was detained at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California by airport security, after airport screeners found a collapsible police baton in Snoop's carry-on bag. The baton was confiscated but Snoop was allowed to board the flight. He has been charged with various weapons violations stemming from this incident. Donald Etra, Snoop's lawyer, told deputies the baton was a prop for a musical sketch. Snoop was sentenced to three years' probation and 160 hours of community service starting on September 20, 2007.

Snoop Dogg was arrested again on October 26, 2006 at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank, California while parked in a passenger loading zone. Approached by airport security for a traffic infraction, he was found in possession of marijuana and a firearm, according to a police statement. He was transported to Burbank Police Department Jail, booked, and released on $35,000 bond. He faced firearm and drug possession charges on December 12 at Burbank Superior Court.

He was again arrested on November 29, 2006, after performing on ''The Tonight Show'', for possession of marijuana and a firearm.

Snoop was arrested again on March 12, 2007 in Stockholm, Sweden after performing in a concert with P. Diddy in Stockholm's Globe Arena after he and a female companion reportedly "reeked" of marijuana. They were released four hours later after providing a urine sample. The results on urine determined whether charges would be pressed. However the rapper denied all charges.

On April 26, 2007, the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship banned him from entering the country on character grounds, citing his prior criminal convictions. He had been scheduled to appear at the MTV Australia Video Music Awards on April 29, 2007. Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship lifted the ban in September 2008 and had granted him visa to tour Australia. DIAC said "In making this decision, the department weighed his criminal convictions against his previous behaviour while in Australia, recent conduct – including charity work – and any likely risk to the Australian community ... We took into account all relevant factors and, on balance, the department decided to grant the visa."

Snoop Dogg's many legal issues forced San Francisco mayor Gavin Newsom to withdraw his plan to issue a proclamation to the rapper.

Snoop Dogg was banned from Parkpop, a festival in the Netherlands on June 27, 2010 which he was scheduled to perform at. The mayor and law enforcement officials asked organizers of the festival to find an artist more “open and friendly” to play the event.

Discography

''Doggystyle'' (1993)

''Tha Doggfather'' (1996)

''Da Game Is to Be Sold, Not to Be Told'' (1998)

''No Limit Top Dogg'' (1999)

''Tha Last Meal'' (2000)

''Paid tha Cost to Be da Boss'' (2002)

''R&G; (Rhythm & Gangsta): The Masterpiece'' (2004)

''Tha Blue Carpet Treatment'' (2006)

''Ego Trippin''' (2008)

''Malice n Wonderland'' (2009)

''Doggumentary'' (2011)

Filmography

1994: ''Murder Was the Case'' (Platinum)

1998: ''Caught Up''

1998: ''Half Baked'' (cameo appearance)

1998: ''Da Game of Life''

1998: ''Hot Boyz''

1998: ''Ride''

1999: ''Whiteboyz''

1999: ''Urban Menace''

2000: ''Tha Eastsidaz''

2000: ''Up in Smoke Tour

2001: ''Baby Boy''

2001: ''Training Day''

2001: ''King of the Hill'' (voice)

2001: ''Bones''

2001: ''The Wash''

2003: ''Malibu's Most Wanted''

2003: ''Old School''

2004: ''Starsky & Hutch''

2004: ''Soul Plane''

2004: ''Volcano High''

2005: ''Boss'n Up''

2005: ''Racing Stripes'' (voice)

2006: ''The Tenants''

2006: ''''Weeds'''': Himself

2006: ''Hood of Horror''

2007: ''Arthur and the Invisibles'' (voice)

2007: ''Monk''

* During the opening credits, he covered the title song by Randy Newman "It's a Jungle out There".

2007: ''The Boondocks''

2008: ''Singh Is Kinng'' (as Himself)

2008: ''Snoop Dogg's Father Hood'' (as Himself)

2009: ''Futurama: Into the Wild Green Yonder'' (voice)

2009: ''Dogg After Dark'': Himself

2009: ''Xavier: Renegade Angel'' (voice)

2009: ''Brüno'' (cameo appearance)

2009: ''Falling Up''

2010: ''Down for Life

2010: ''One Life to Live as Calvin Broadus

2010: ''Straight Outta L.A.'' (as Himself)

2010: ''Freaknik: The Musical''

2010: ''Malice n Wonderland'' as Malice

2010: ''Big Time Christmas'' as Himself

2011: ''Roast of Donald Trump''

Awards

Snoop Dogg was also a judge for the 7th annual Independent Music Awards to support independent artists' careers.

Further reading

References

External links

Official website

Snoop Dogg at Geffen Records

Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:African American film actors Category:African American rappers Category:American film producers Category:American voice actors Category:Crips Category:Death Row Records artists Category:G-funk Category:Members of the Nation of Islam Category:No Limit Records artists Category:Participants in American reality television series Category:People acquitted of murder Category:People convicted of drug offenses Category:People from Long Beach, California Category:People self-identifying as substance abusers Category:Priority Records artists Category:Pseudonymous rappers Category:Rappers from Los Angeles, California

ar:سنوب دوغ bg:Снуп Дог ca:Snoop Dogg cs:Snoop Dogg cy:Snoop Dogg da:Snoop Dogg de:Snoop Dogg et:Snoop Dogg es:Snoop Dogg eo:Snoop Dogg fa:اسنوپ داگ fo:Snoop dogg fr:Snoop Dogg fy:Snoop Dogg ko:스눕 독 hi:स्नूप दॉग hr:Snoop Dogg id:Snoop Dogg is:Snoop Dogg it:Snoop Dogg he:סנופ דוג ka:სნუპ დოგი sw:Snoop Doggy lv:Snoop Dogg lt:Snoop Dogg hu:Snoop Dogg nl:Snoop Dogg ja:スヌープ・ドッグ no:Snoop Dogg pl:Snoop Dogg pt:Snoop Dogg ro:Snoop Dogg ru:Snoop Dogg stq:Snoop Dogg simple:Snoop Dogg sk:Snoop Dogg sr:Снуп Дог sh:Snoop Dogg fi:Snoop Dogg sv:Snoop Dogg ta:ஸ்னூப் டாக் th:สนูป ด็อกก์ tr:Snoop Dogg uk:Snoop Dogg zh:史努比狗狗

Name	Ice Cube
Background	solo_singer|birth_name O'Shea Jackson
Alias	Cube, Don Mega
Born	June 15, 1969 Los Angeles, California
Origin	South Central Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genre	Hip hop, gangsta rap, political hip hop
Occupation	Rapper, actor, film director, screenwriter
Years active	1984–present
Label	Priority (1987–1996)Lench Mob (1994–present)EMI (1987–present)
Associated acts	N.W.A, C.I.A., Scarface, Da Lench Mob, Westside Connection, Public Enemy, WC and the Maad Circle, Game
Website	}}

Ice Cube (born O'Shea Jackson; June 15, 1969) is an American rapper, actor, screenwriter, film director, and producer. He began his career as a member of the C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer, director, actor and producer in cinema. Additionally, he has served as one of the producers of the Showtime television series ''Barbershop'' and the TBS series ''Are We There Yet?'', both of which are based upon films in which he portrayed the lead character.

Early life

O'Shea Jackson was born on June 15, 1969 in Los Angeles, in the South Central area, the son of Doris Jackson (née Benjamin), a hospital clerk and custodian, and Hosea Jackson, who worked as a groundskeeper at UCLA. According to a 2005 interview with Teenink, O'Shea's half-sister was murdered by her boyfriend in a murder-suicide when he was 12 years old . His cousin is Teren Delvon Jones, also known as Del tha Funkee Homosapien, who is a part of the rap group Hieroglyphics and who has also worked with Gorillaz; and Kam of rap group The Warzone. At 16, Ice Cube developed an interest in hip hop music, and began writing raps in Taft High School's keyboarding class. He attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology in the fall of 1987, and studied Architectural Drafting. With friend Sir Jinx, Ice Cube formed the C.I.A., and they performed at parties hosted by Dr. Dre. Young Cube was fourteen years old when he met Dre, nineteen. Dre soon entered the recording industry involved with the World Class Wreckin' Cru recording records. Dre saw Cube's potential as a writer and had him helping Dre in writing Wreckin Cru's big L.A. hit track, "Cabbage Patch" as well as joining Cube on a side partnership the duo called Stereo Crew by which they produced a twelve-inch record, "She's a Skag" released on Epic Records in 1986.

Music career

N.W.A

In 1987, Ice Cube and Dr. Dre released the single ''My Posse'', under the alias CIA. After the collaboration, Ice Cube showed Eazy-E the lyrics to "Boyz-n-the-Hood". Eazy-E, although initially rejecting the lyrics, eventually recorded the song for ''N.W.A. and the Posse'', the debut album for the group N.W.A that included him, Dre, and other rappers MC Ren and DJ Yella.

By this point Ice Cube was a full-time member of N.W.A along with Dr. Dre and MC Ren. Ice Cube wrote Dr. Dre and Eazy-E's rhymes for the group's landmark album, ''Straight Outta Compton'', released in 1988. However, as 1990 approached, Ice Cube found himself at odds with the group's manager, Jerry Heller, after rejecting Heller's proposed contract terms.

Since Ice Cube wrote the lyrics to approximately half of both ''Straight Outta Compton'', and Eazy-E's solo album, ''Eazy-Duz-It'', he was advised of the amounts he was truly owed by Heller, and took legal action soon after leaving the group and the label. In response, the remaining N.W.A members attacked him on the EP ''100 Miles and Runnin''' and on their next and final album, ''Efil4zaggin'' (''Niggaz4life'' spelled backwards).

Solo career

In late 1989, Ice Cube recorded his debut solo album in Los Angeles with the Bomb Squad (Public Enemy's production team). ''AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'' was released in May 1990 and was an instant hit, riding and contributing to the rising tide of rap's popularity in mainstream society. The album was charged with controversy, and he was accused of misogyny and racism. Subsequently, Ice Cube appointed the female rapper Yo-Yo (who appeared on ''AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'') to the head of his own record label and helped produce her debut album, ''Make Way for the Motherlode''. This was followed by a critically acclaimed role as 'Doughboy' in John Singleton's hood-based drama, ''Boyz n the Hood''. In the same year as ''AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted'', Ice Cube released the acclaimed EP, ''Kill At Will'' which sold well, becoming the first hip hop EP to go both Gold and Platinum.

His 1991 follow-up, ''Death Certificate'' was regarded as more focused, yet even more controversial, and critics accused him again of being anti-white, misogynist, and antisemitic. The album is thematically divided into the 'Death Side' ("a vision of where we are today") and the 'Life Side' ("a vision of where we need to go"). It features "No Vaseline", a scathing response to N.W.A's attacks and "Black Korea," a track regarded by some as prophetic of the 1992 Los Angeles riots, but also interpreted as racist by many; it was still being cited years after its release. Ice Cube toured with Lollapalooza in 1992, which widened his fan base.

Ice Cube released ''The Predator'' in November 1992. Referring specifically to that year's Los Angeles riots, in the first single, "Wicked", he rapped "April 29 was power to the people, and we might just see a sequel". ''The Predator'' debuted at number one on both the pop and R&B; charts, the first album in history to do so. Singles from ''The Predator'' included "It Was a Good Day" and the "Check Yo Self" remix, and the songs had a two-part music video. The album remains his most successful release, with over three million copies sold in the US. However, after ''The Predator'', Ice Cube's rap audience diminished. ''Lethal Injection'' which was released in the end of 1993 and represented Ice Cube's first attempt at imitating the G-Funk sound of Dr. Dre's ''The Chronic'', was not well received by critics. He had more successful hits from ''Lethal Injection'', including "Really Doe", "Bop Gun (One Nation)", "You Know How We Do It" & "What Can I Do?". After 1994, he took a hiatus from music and concentrated on film work and developing the careers of other rap musicians, Mack 10, Mr. Short Khop, Kausion, and Da Lench Mob.

In 1994, Ice Cube had reunited with former N.W.A member Dr. Dre, who was now part of Death Row Records, in their duet "Natural Born Killaz". In 1998, he released his long-awaited solo album, ''War & Peace Volume 1''. The delayed ''Volume 2'', was released in 2000. The albums featured appearances from Westside Connection as well as a reunion with fellow N.W.A members, Dr. Dre and MC Ren, though many fans maintained that the two albums were not on par with his past work, especially the second volume. In 2000, Ice Cube also joined Dr. Dre, Eminem & Snoop Dogg on the Up In Smoke Tour.

In 2006, Ice Cube released his seventh solo album, ''Laugh Now, Cry Later'', on his Lench Mob Records label, debuting at number four on the Billboard Charts and selling 144,000 units in the first week. The album featured production from Lil Jon and Scott Storch, who produced the lead single "Why We Thugs". He released his eighth studio album, Raw Footage, on August 19, 2008, featuring the controversial single "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It".

On Oct 12, 2009 he released a non-album track called 'Raider Nation' in tribute to the Oakland Raiders' football team he supports.

On May 11, 2010, Ice Cube released a 30 for 30 documentary, "Straight Outta L.A.", for ESPN on the relationship between the gangster rap scene in Los Angeles and the tenure of the Raiders there. He has been voted as eighth of MTV's "greatest emcees of all time."

Westside Connection

In 1996, Ice Cube formed Westside Connection with Mack 10 and WC, and together they released an album called ''Bow Down''. Most of the album was used to engage in the East Coast-West Coast hip hop rivalry of the 90s. The album's eponymous single reached number 21 on the singles charts, and the album itself was certified Platinum by the end of 1996. With ''Bow Down'', Westside Connection brought their own agenda to the hip hop scene. Ice Cube, Mack 10 and WC had grown tired of being overlooked by most East Coast media outlets; the album was designed to instil a sense of pride in West Coast rap fans and to start a larger movement that some people who felt underappreciated might identify with. Songs like "Bow Down" and "Gangstas Make the World Go 'Round" make reference to this. Ice Cube would also eventually make amends with Eazy-E shortly before the latter's death in 1995.

After a seven-year hiatus, Westside Connection returned with their second effort ''Terrorist Threats'' in 2003. The album fared well critically, but its commercial reception was less than that of ''Bow Down''. "Gangsta Nation" was the only single released from the album, which was produced by Fredwreck and featured Nate Dogg; it was a radio hit. After a rift between Ice Cube and Mack 10 about Ice Cube's commitments to film work rather than touring with the group, Westside Connection disbanded. WC, however, did release a new solo album on Lench Mob Records entitled ''Guilty by Affiliation'' on August 14, 2007.

Collaborations

In 1992 Ice Cube assisted on debut albums from Da Lench Mob (''Guerillas in tha Mist'', 1992) and Kam (''Neva Again'', 1993), both of which enjoyed critical acclaim and some moderate commercial success. He handled most of the production on ''Guerillas in tha Mist''.

In 1993, Lench Mob member, J-Dee, was sentenced to life imprisonment for attempted murder, and Ice Cube did not produce their next album, ''Planet of tha Apes''. Around this time in 1993, he also worked with Tupac Shakur on his album ''Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.,'' appearing on the track "Last Wordz" with Ice-T. He also did a song with Dr. Dre for the first time since he left N.W.A: "Natural Born Killaz", for the ''Murder Was The Case'' soundtrack, and also contributed to the ''Office Space'' soundtrack. He also featured on Kool G Rap's song "Two To The Head" from the Kool G Rap & DJ Polo album "Live And Let Die". Ice Cube appeared on the song "Children of the Korn" by the band Korn, as well as assisting in recording a Korn cover of Wicked, and lent his voice to British DJ Paul Oakenfold's solo debut album, ''Bunkka'', on the track "Get Em Up".

2004–2010

In 2004, his hit singles "Check Yo Self", "It Was a Good Day" and affiliated song "Guerrillas in tha Mist" with Da Lench Mob appeared on popular video game ''Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'' on fictional radio station Radio Los Santos.

In late 2005, Ice Cube and R. J. Cutler teamed up to create the six-part documentary series titled ''Black. White.'', which was broadcast on cable network FX. In May 2006 Ice Cube complained that Oprah Winfrey would not welcome him and other rappers on her show. Ice Cube's other movie projects include ''Teacher of the Year'', released in 2007, and ''The Extractors'', released in 2008.

He has signed on to star in and produce ''Welcome Back, Kotter'', a big-screen adaptation of the 1970s television series. Ice Cube will play the title character, originally portrayed by Gabe Kaplan and his film company, Cube Vision Productions, has sealed a deal with Dimension Films to bring the show to the big screen.

In a London interview he revealed he is in talks of a collaboration with Gorillaz after speaking to frontman Damon Albarn.

In October 2006 Xzibit, Lil Jon and WC from the Westside Connection honoured Ice Cube at VH1's Annual Hip Hop Honors, performing some classic Ice Cube tracks, and Ice Cube also performed "Why We Thugs" and "Go To Church" from his album ''Laugh Now, Cry Later'', where the New York crowd were greeted with Cube's vintage Cali sound. After launching that comeback album, Ice Cube toured across the world to promote it. The tour is known as "Straight Outta Compton Tour", and accompanying him is his friend and fellow rapper WC from the Westside Connection. Some places he has recently performed include the Paradiso in Amsterdam and various venues in England. After touring the U.S. and Europe, he performed all around Australia, from Sydney's Enmore Theatre to The Forum Arena in Melbourne, before heading to Japan.

Ice Cube collaborated with Tech N9ne on the song "Blackboy" that appears on Tech N9ne's July 2008 album ''Killer''. The eighth Ice Cube studio LP, titled ''Raw Footage'', was released on August 19, 2008, and featured the singles Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It and Do Ya Thang. Ice Cube appeared on a song by rapper The Game titled "State of Emergency" off The Game's Album, L.A.X. In 2009, Ice Cube performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos, and will return to perform at the 2011 festival.

Despite rumors of conflicts with other rappers in 2010, Ice Cube stated in an interview with DJ Whoo Kid on Sirius Shade 45 that he has "no beef."

Ice Cube's ninth studio album I Am the West was released on September 28, 2010. Ice Cube has stated this album has a different direction than any one of his other albums. He received beats from West coast veteran producers such as DJ Quik, Dr. Dre, E-A-Ski, and Sir Jinx, not having worked on a solo album with the latter in nearly 20 years. The album was released independently under his label Lench Mob. Ice Cube has stated that "being independent is beautiful because we can do things 'out the box' that record companies would usually frown at. Instead of working from a ready-made cookie-cutter marketing plan, we can tailor make a marketing plan specifically for me."

In 2011 he will reunite with N.W.A members MC Ren & Dr. Dre on T-Boz's debut studio album Still Cool on the track "From The South To the Wild Wild West".

Other ventures

Film and television career

Following his role as 'Doughboy' in ''Boyz N The Hood'', in 1992 he starred alongside Ice-T, and Bill Paxton in Walter Hill's action film, ''Trespass'', and then in ''The Glass Shield''.

Ice Cube was offered a co-star role with Janet Jackson in the 1993 romantic film Poetic Justice, but he refused the role, which was given to Tupac Shakur instead.

John Singleton had encouraged Ice Cube to try his hand at screenwriting, telling him, "If you can write a record, you can write a movie." With this encouragement, Ice Cube wrote the screenplay for what became the 1995 comedy ''Friday'', in which he also starred, alongside then up-and-coming comedian Chris Tucker. ''Friday'' earned $28 million worldwide on a $3.5 million budget, and spawned two sequels, ''Next Friday'' and ''Friday After Next''. (On March 9, 2011 he announced that he was making the final sequel called Last Friday). That year, he also starred in his second collaboration with John Singleton, ''Higher Learning'', as world-weary university student "Fudge"; a role for which he earned award nominations.

In 1997 Ice Cube starred in the action thriller Dangerous Ground as a South African exiled to America who returns 15 years later. He also had a supporting role in the film ''Anaconda'' that same year. He wrote, executive produced, and made his directorial debut in ''The Players Club'' in 1998, and in 1999 starred alongside George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg in the critically acclaimed ''Three Kings''. In 2000, he wrote and appeared in the ''Friday'' sequel ''Next Friday''. In 2002, Ice Cube starred in the commercially successful movie ''Barbershop'', as well as ''All About the Benjamins'' and the third film in the ''Friday'' trilogy, ''Friday after Next'' (which he again wrote). In 2004, he appeared in ''Barbershop 2: Back in Business'', and ''Torque''; in 2005 he starred in the action movie ''XXX: State of the Union'', as well as the comedies ''Are We There Yet?'' and ''Are We Done Yet?'', co-starring Nia Long.

In early April 2007 Ice Cube was a guest on Angie Martinez' Hot97 radio show and stated that he was interested in bringing back Chris Tucker as Smokey in a possible ''Friday'' sequel, but that was only possible "if New Line cuts the cheque." In an interview with BlackFilm.com, Ice Cube stated that he would be interested in involving all major characters from the ''Friday'' franchise in a possible sequel, but added "I know I'm not going to get Chris [Tucker] back, but I'd love to get everybody else back."

''In the Movies'' is a compilation album of Ice Cube songs that have appeared in movie soundtracks, which was released on September 4, 2007.

Ice Cube and basketball star LeBron James have paired up to pitch a one-hour special to ABC based on James's life. Ice Cube's ''Are We There Yet'' television series premiered on TBS on June 2, 2010. Based on the 2005 feature film of the same name, the show revolves around a family adjusting to the matriarch's new husband (Terry Crews) and trying to deal with normal family situations. On August 16, 2010, ''Are We There Yet?'' was renewed for 90 additional episodes. In an August 2010 interview with UrbLife.com, Ice Cube expressed excitement about the show being picked up for the run, which will pan out to around six seasons. He also credits Tyler Perry for opening the door for him at TBS.

Clothing line

Ice Cube has licenced a clothing line, SOLO by Cube, which features hooded sweatshirts with built-in headphones in the hood strings.

Personal life

Family

He married Kimberly Woodruff in 1992, with whom he has four children (three boys, one girl) - O'Shea Jr., Darrel, Shareef and Karima.

A father of four, Ice Cube was asked by Fresh Air's Terry Gross to provide some perspective on the relationship between his work and his family. When asked whether or not he allowed his children to listen to his music, he responded: "What's worked for me is instilling in my kids a level of self-respect," helping them to understand the content of not just music but the violence found on the evening news. When asked what he tells his children about profanity, he recalled telling his kids that there are "appropriate times to use any kind of language.... Adults should never hear you use these words. If you want to use these words around your friends, that's really on you." Ice Cube is also the father of rappers OMG and Doughboy, who were featured on his album, I Am the West.

Religion

In an interview with British newspaper ''The Guardian'', Ice Cube stated that he is a Muslim, having converted sometime in the 1990s. He described his Muslim faith as a simple, personal one that does not involve attending prayer services or following rituals. Although he has spoken favorably of the Nation of Islam, he denied ever being in the organization.

Discography

; Studio albums

1990: ''AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted''

1991: ''Death Certificate''

1992: ''The Predator''

1993: ''Lethal Injection''

1998: ''War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc)''

2000: ''War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc)''

2006: ''Laugh Now, Cry Later''

2008: ''Raw Footage''

2010: ''I Am the West''

; Other albums

1994: ''Bootlegs & B-Sides''

1997: ''Featuring…Ice Cube''

2001: ''Greatest Hits''

2007: ''In the Movies''

2008: ''The Essentials''

Filmography

As an actor

Films

Year 1991 1992 1993 1995 1995 1995 1997 1997 1998 1998 1999 1999 1999 2001 2002 2002 2002 2004 2004 2005 2005 2007 2008 2008 2009 2010 2011 2011 2012 2012

Title	|	Role	Other notes
''Boyz n the Hood''	|	Darin "Doughboy" Baker	Main Role
''Trespass (1992 film)	Trespass''	|	Savon	Main Role
''CB4''	|	himself	Cameo
''The Glass Shield''	|	Teddy Woods	Main Role
''Higher Learning''	|	Fudge	Main Role
''Friday (film)	Friday''	|	Craig Jones	Main Role
''Dangerous Ground''	|	Vusi Madlazi	Main Role
''Anaconda (film)	Anaconda''	|	Danny Rich	Main Role
''The Players Club''	|	Reggie	Minor Role
''I Got The Hook Up''	|	Gun Runner	Minor Role
''Three Kings (1999 film)	Three Kings''	|	SSgt. Chief Elgin	Main Role
''Thicker Than Water (1999 film)	Thicker Than Water''	|	Slink	Supporting Role
''Next Friday''	|	Craig Jones	Main Role
''Ghosts of Mars''	|	James 'Desolation' Williams	Main Role
''All About The Benjamins''	|	Detective Bucum	Main Role
''BarberShop (film)	BarberShop''	|	Calvin Palmer	Main Role
''Friday After Next''	|	Craig Jones	Main Role
''Torque (film)	Torque''	|	Trey	Main Role
''BarberShop 2: Back in Business''	|	Calvin Palmer	Main Role
''Are We There Yet?''	|	Nick Persons	Main Role
''XXX: State of the Union''	|	Darius Stone	Main Role
''Are We Done Yet?''	|	Nick Persons	Main Role
''First Sunday''	|	Durell	Main Role
''The Longshots''	|	Curtis Plummer	Main Role
''Janky Promoters''	|	Russell Redds	Main Role
''Lottery Ticket (film)	Lottery Ticket''	|	Jerome "Thump" Washington	Supporting Role
''New Year's Eve (film)	New Year's Film''	|	Police Officer	Supporting Role
''Rampart (film)	Rampart''	|	TBA	TBA
''Last Friday''	|	Craig Jones	Main Role pre-production
''21 Jump Street''	|	Capt. Dickson	Main Role

Television

Year 2010–present

Title	|	Role	Other notes
''Are We There Yet? (TV series)	Are We There Yet?'' TV series	|	Terrence	Recurring Role

Video games

Year 2010

Title	|	Role	Other notes
''Call of Duty: Black Ops	|	Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group>SOG multiplayer announcer	Voice actor

As director/writer/producer

''Friday'' (1995) writer, executive producer

''Dangerous Ground'' (1997) executive producer

''The Players Club'' (1998) writer, director, executive producer

''Next Friday'' (2000) writer, producer

''All About The Benjamins'' (2002) writer, producer

''Friday After Next'' (2002) writer, producer

''BarberShop 2: Back in Business'' (2004) executive producer

''BarberShop: The Series'' (2005) executive producer

''Are We There Yet?'' (2005) producer

''Beauty Shop'' (2005) executive producer

''Black. White.'' (2006) executive producer

''Are We Done Yet?'' (2007) producer

''Friday: The Animated Series'' (2007) executive producer

''Pirate Island'' (2008) producer

''The Longshots'' (2008) producer

''First Sunday'' (2008) producer

''Straight Outta L.A.'' (2010) director

''Are We There Yet?'' (TV series) (2010) executive producer

''Last Friday'' (2012) writer, executive producer

Awards

Film award history

Ice Cube has received nominations for several films in the past. To date, he has won two awards:

2000: Blockbuster Entertainment Award: Favorite Action Team (for ''Three Kings'')

2002: MECCA Movie Award: Acting Award

Music awards

VH1 Hip Hop Honors 2006

* 2006 Honoree Snoop Dogg

BET Hip-Hop Awards 2009

* I Am Hip-Hop Award

References

External links

Ice Cube Bio

Ice Cube: The Ten Greatest Rapper/Actors

Category:1969 births Category:Living people Category:Actors from California Category:African American Muslims Category:Converts to Islam Category:African-American film producers Category:African American film actors Category:African American rappers Category:American music video directors Category:American screenwriters Category:Capitol Records artists Category:N.W.A members Category:Priority Records artists Category:Rappers from Los Angeles, California Category:Ruthless Records artists

ar:آيس كيوب bg:Айс Кюб ca:Ice Cube cs:Ice Cube da:Ice Cube de:Ice Cube et:Ice Cube el:Ice Cube es:Ice Cube fa:آیس کیوب fr:Ice Cube fy:Ice Cube ko:아이스 큐브 hr:Ice Cube id:Ice Cube it:Ice Cube he:אייס קיוב ka:Ice Cube sw:Ice Cube lv:Ice Cube nl:Ice Cube ja:アイス・キューブ no:Ice Cube pl:Ice Cube pt:Ice Cube ro:Ice Cube ru:Ice Cube simple:Ice Cube sl:Ice Cube sh:Ice Cube fi:Ice Cube sv:Ice Cube ta:ஐஸ் கியூப் th:ไอซ์คิวบ์ tr:Ice Cube uk:Ice Cube zh:Ice Cube

Name	Boyz N Da Hood
Background	group_or_band
Origin	Griffin, Georgia
Genre	Hip hop
Years active	2003–present
Label	Block Entertainment Bad Boy South Atlantic
Associated acts	Yung Joc, Diddy, Gucci Mane, P$C, Rick Ross
Website	www.myspace.com/boyzndahood
Current members	Big GeeJody BreezeDukeGorilla Zoe
Past members	Young Jeezy }}

Boyz N Da Hood is an American Southern gangsta rap group from Atlanta, Georgia. They are currently signed to Sean Combs's Bad Boy Records. A new album, ''Back N Da Hood'', is planned for release in 2011. They have collaborated several times with fellow Atlanta, Georgia artist Yung Joc.

Discography

2005: ''Boyz N Da Hood''

2007: ''Back Up N Da Chevy

2011: ''Back N Da Hood (Working Title)''

Solo albums

Big Gee

''13th Floor''

Gorilla Zoe

2007: ''Welcome to the Zoo''

2009: ''Don't Feed Da Animals''

2011: ''King Kong (Gorilla Zoe album)''

Duke

''The O.G.''

Jody Breeze

2005: ''A Day in the Life of Jody Breeze''

2010: ''My Life: ATL Story''

Compilations

2006: Best Kept Secret,Vol.2

Singles

Year	Title	Peak chart positions			Album
		!style="width:3em; font-size:85%"	!style="width:3em; font-size:85%"	!style="width:3em; font-size:85%"
		56	15	13
	—	—	—
		—	—	—
	93	87	22

References

External links

Boyz n da Hood official website

Jody Breeze explains Jeezy diss track

Category:American hip hop groups Category:Bad Boy Records artists Category:Musical groups from Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Rappers from Atlanta, Georgia Category:Southern hip hop groups

es:Boyz N Da Hood fr:Boyz N Da Hood sv:Boyz n da Hood