Coordinates	34°03′″N118°15′″N
name	Ruthless Records
image bg	white
founded	March 3, 1987
founder	Eazy-E Jerry Heller
distributor	RED Distribution(U.S.)
genre	Gangsta rap
country	USA
location	Los Angeles, California
url	http://www.ruthlessrecords.com/ }}

Ruthless Records is a record label, founded by late Gangsta rapper Eazy-E and N.W.A. manager Jerry Heller, in Eazy's hometown of Compton, California in 1987. The label is widely credited with helping to pioneer the gangsta rap genre of West Coast hip hop.

History

N.W.A. days

Ruthless Records was formed as a vehicle for releases by N.W.A., as well as member and founder Eric "Eazy-E" Wright; its first successful single was Eazy's "Boyz-n-the-Hood", followed by N.W.A.'s "Dopeman" and "8-Ball", introductory to the group's ''N.W.A. and the Posse'', a compilation album released under the group's name, albeit not on Ruthless. It also put out singles by underground California acts such as Frost and J.J. Fad, but the label's first full-length release was N.W.A.'s ''Straight Outta Compton'', which was eventually certified multi-platinum. Immediately following this was the release of Eazy's solo debut, ''Eazy-Duz-It''.

As the five members went on tour in support of their project, some began to voice their displeasure with the financial situation at Ruthless Records. According to group member MC Ren, it was common opinion that Heller was the one receiving their due. A recurring theme among the N.W.A. members is that they seemingly could not take into consideration the decades Heller had spent promoting major tours for the likes of Elton John, and the fortune he had amassed in this time. Instead they believed his wealth had suddenly sprung up thanks to themselves:

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The label also experienced outside pressure due to the group. The success of their single "Fuck tha Police" led to a threatening F.B.I. letter to distributor Priority Records. After coming off tour, group member Ice Cube voiced his opinions on the group's finances. Though Heller continually claims that everything was in order, and has even offered them to open the account books to prove his innocence, the ensuing confrontation ended in Cube leaving Ruthless without signing on as a solo artist, which the remaining members proceeded to do.

1988 also saw the release of J.J. Fad's gold-certified album ''Supersonic'', singer Michel'le's eponymous ''self-titled album'', and The D.O.C.'s critically acclaimed ''No One Can Do It Better'' (all released through Atlantic), all produced by N.W.A. beatsmith Dr. Dre; following these efforts, Dre returned to N.W.A., producing the ''100 Miles and Runnin''' E.P. and the group's sophomore effort, ''Efil4Zaggin'', which reached platinum status. Above the Law's ''Livin' Like Hustlers'' was also released during this period (by way of Epic Records).

In 1989, Eazy signed Hip-Hop's first white female rapper ''Tairrie B'' to Ruthless' new Comptown label subsidiary. She released her debut album "The Power of A Woman" in 1990 (through MCA Records) featuring the single & video for "Murder She Wrote" which Eazy and Philly gangster rapper Schoolly D appeared in. The album also featured guest vocals by Ruthless Records artists Dre Dre & D.O.C. along with Rhyme Syndicate rapper Everlast (who was her boyfriend at the time) and production by Quincy (QD3) Jones Jr & Schoolly D.

N.W.A. breakup & other Ruthless artists

Though N.W.A. was highly successful, Dre was advised by The D.O.C. and the rapper's friend, Suge Knight, that he should leave the label to avoid any possible financial meddling by Heller and Eazy; offering to extricate Dre from his Ruthless contract, Suge became such a problem for the label-heads that at one point Eazy even suggested killing him, a move vetoed by Heller. Eventually, Suge succeeded in procuring Dre, D.O.C. and Michel'le's contracts—through reportedly illicit means--and proceeded to set up Death Row Records with the producer.

Now short his main producer, Eazy-E signed various other acts that would assist him in a subsequent rivalry with Death Row, and specifically Dr. Dre. Gangsta Dresta and B.G. Knocc Out were among the most vocal of these rappers, with DJ Yella and new producer Rhythum D producing. While MC Ren stayed neutral, he stayed on Ruthless, putting out several albums. Also on the label at this time were Will 1X and the Atban Klann, a group including the future Will.I.Am and Apl.de.ap, who would later become two parts of the trio The Black Eyed Peas after leaving Ruthless. Eazy released several high-profile albums dissing Dr. Dre, including most famously ''It's On (Dr. Dre) 187^um Killa''. Producer Big Hutch/Cold 187 um alleges that during this time period, with Ruthless switching distributors from Priority to Relativity Records, even Wright began to feel as though Heller wasn't being honest with the label's finances:

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Eazy-E's death, Tomica Wright ownership

In 1995, Eazy-E was diagnosed with AIDS; he had just signed the five-member group Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, whose debut 1994 E.P. ''Creepin on ah Come Up'' became wildly popular. While he executive-produced their first full-length album, ''E 1999 Eternal'', he died of AIDS-related pneumonia before the album's release. Their smash 1995 single "Crossroads" was dedicated to Wright, and helped push the album to multi-platinum success. After his death, the label was taken over by his wife, Tomica Wright; due to a shift in promotions and marketing, the label's artists began leaving for other recording homes—into 1996, only MC Ren and Bone Thugs remained, and even those acts eventually departed, though re-releases of previous projects have appeared since then. Ruthless Records is now a division of Epic Records.

The label has had several distributors simultaneously. Early Ruthless releases were distributed by Macola Records (including certain material from JJ Fad which was made prior to the completion of the ''Supersonic'' album, which were at first released on Ruthless' short-lived Dream Team Records subsidiary), but that deal was short lived and the rights reverted to Ruthless. All of N.W.A's releases and Eazy-E's first two solo releases on Ruthless were distributed by Priority Records, and the rights to these releases are now held by Priority's new owner, Capitol Records. Releases by The D.O.C, Michel'le, Yomo & Maulkie and JJ Fad were marketed through Atlantic Records or its subsidiary Atco Records, . These master rights are still held by Atlantic's parent company, Warner Music Group, while Above The Law's releases were marketed through Epic Records. In the early 1990s, Ruthless found more exclusive distribution through Relativity Records, formerly a heavy metal label. Relativity was later folded into its parent company, Sony Music.

Future biopic

With the success of ''Notorious'', New Line Cinema reps announced to Entertainment Weekly's "Hollywood Insider Blog" that N.W.A.'s story is in development to become a theatrical release in 2012. According to IMDB the script was researched and written by filmmaker S. Leigh Savidge and radio veteran Alan Wenkus who worked closely with Tomica Woods-Wright. Producing the film will be Tomica Woods-Wright, Ice Cube, and Dr. Dre. A director has not been chosen.

Former artists

Eazy-E

Dr. Dre

Bone Thugs N Harmony

Ice Cube

Atban Klann (consisting of Will I Am and apl.de.ap, who later after leaving Ruthless Records, teamed up with Taboo to form the Black Eyed Peas on the Interscope label)

Dru Down

Brownside

Blood of Abraham

J.J. Fad

Kokane

Above the Law

Yomo & Maulkie

MC Ren

Pistol

Dresta

B.G. Knocc Out

The D.O.C.

Kid Frost

Michel'le

Tairrie B

Rhythum D

DJ Yella

Hopsin

References

External links

Biography of Eazy-E

Category:Hip hop record labels Category:American record labels Category:Record labels established in 1987 Category:Epic Records

da:Ruthless Records de:Ruthless Records es:Ruthless Records fr:Ruthless Records (Los Angeles) it:Ruthless Records (Los Angeles) he:Ruthless Records hu:Ruthless Records (Los Angeles) nl:Ruthless Records pl:Ruthless Records ru:Ruthless Records fi:Ruthless Records sv:Ruthless Records tr:Ruthless Records

Jerry Heller (born October 6, 1940) is best known for managing West Coast rap group N.W.A. and rapper Eazy-E. He is co-founder and CEO of Ruthless Records. Heller managed War, Average White Band, Marvin Gaye, Michel'le, A.L.T. and Frost, as well as Creedence Clearwater Revival, Van Morrison, and Otis Redding.

Managing the rise of West Coast rap

In the 1980s, Heller began managing acts on the nascent Los Angeles hip hop scene, many of whom recorded for Macola Records in Hollywood. He managed both C.I.A., which Ice Cube was a member of, and the World Class Wreckin' Cru, which included Dr. Dre and DJ Yella. On March 3, 1987, he met the Compton, California rapper Eazy-E and became general manager of Eazy's label, Ruthless Records.

Heller managed N.W.A.. Under the direction of Heller and Eazy, Ruthless Records had six platinum releases in three years: ''Supersonic'' (J. J. Fad), ''Eazy-Duz-It'' (Eazy-E), ''Straight Outta Compton'' (N.W.A), ''No One Can Do It Better'' (The D.O.C.), ''Michel'le'''s self-titled debut, and ''Efil4zaggin'' (N.W.A.).

Death Row Records and Jewish Defense League

During Dr. Dre’s departure from Ruthless Records, Heller and Ruthless director of business affairs Mike Klein sought assistance from the Jewish Defense League. Said Klein: "The Defense League offered to provide bodyguards to Eazy-E when [Suge] Knight allegedly threatened him in the early 1990s." This provided Ruthless Records with muscle to enter into negotiations with Knight over Dr. Dre’s departure. The Federal Bureau of Investigation launched a money laundering investigation, assuming that the JDL was extorting money from Ruthless Records. JDL spokesperson Irv Rubin issued a press release stating "There was nothing but a close, tight relationship" between Eazy-E and the League.

Heller explained JDL’s involvement with Ruthless for even more reasons than the FBI investigated. Heller claimed Eazy-E received death threats and it was discovered that he was on a Nazi skinhead hit list. Heller speculated that it may have been because of N.W.A.'s song ''Fuck tha Police''. Heller said "It was no secret that in the aftermath of the Suge Knight shake down incident where Eazy was forced to sign over Dr. Dre, Michel'le, and The D.O.C., that Ruthless was protected by Israeli trained/connected security forces." Heller maintains that Eazy E admired the JDL for their slogan "Never Again" and that he had plans to do a movie about the group.

After N.W.A.

N.W.A. broke up in 1991, with Ice Cube and Dre departing and aiming vicious dis raps at Heller, Ruthless, and Eazy. Ruthless went on to release Bone Thugs-n-Harmony's platinum hits of the mid-1990s. Heller continued to work in rap, prompting the rise in Hispanic hip-hop at Hit-a-Lick Records.

Heller's memoir, ''Ruthless'', written with Gil Reavill, was published by Simon & Schuster/Simon Spotlight Entertainment in 2006.

Heller is married to former actress Gayle Steiner and lives in Calabasas, California.

References

The following two links are dead as of 4/22/10, any updates?

External links

''Ruthless: A Memoir'', Jerry Heller and Gil Reavill. ISBN 1-4169-1792-6.

IMDb entry

Ruthless A Memoir (Interviews, videos, and resources on Jerry Heller, updated frequently)

Category:Living people Category:American businesspeople Category:American music industry executives Category:1940 births Category:People from Cleveland, Ohio Category:Ohio University alumni Category:University of Southern California alumni Category:People from Shaker Heights, Ohio

fr:Jerry Heller ru:Хеллер, Джерри tr:Jerry Heller

Coordinates	34°03′″N118°15′″N
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

Coordinates	34°03′″N118°15′″N
name	Moris Tepper
background	solo_singer
birth name	Jeffrey Moris Tepper
alias	Jeff Moris Tepper, Jeff M. Tepper, Jeff Morris Tepper, Jeff Tappir/White Jew, Jeff Tepper
origin	Los Angeles
instrument	Guitar, vocals
genre	Alternative rock, rock, blues, experimental, jazz
occupation	Musician, artist
years active	1970s–present
associated acts	Captain Beefheart, Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Frank Black
website	http://www.candlebone.com/
notable instruments	Fender Telecaster }}

Moris Tepper, sometimes credited as Jeff Moris Tepper, is an American singer-songwriter, guitarist and artist.

Tepper first came to prominence in the late 1970s with Captain Beefheart. He has also worked with singers Tom Waits, PJ Harvey, Robyn Hitchcock and Frank Black. He has recorded several solo albums. His album ''Head Off'' (2004) includes a lyrical collaboration with the reclusive Beefheart with the song "Ricochet Man".

Tepper met Beefheart (alias Don Van Vliet) by chance while studying as an art student in Northern California in the mid-1970s. Van Vliet had already started to focus on painting and although they shared this in common it was when Van Vliet learned Tepper knew guitar parts to ''Trout Mask Replica'' that he became interested in putting together a new band around Tepper's unique guitar sound. This was done later in Los Angeles after Van Vliet and Frank Zappa had reuinted briefly for the ''Bongo Fury'' tour. The result of the new band led to arguably some of Captain Beefheart's most creative music efforts including albums ''Shiny Beast'' (1978), ''Ice Cream for Crow'' (1982) and ''Doc at the Radar Station'' (1980). Tepper joined The Magic Band in 1976 and stayed in the band until 1982. He is one of the longest serving (without a break) Magic Band members.

Tepper's first released solo work beginning with ''Big Enough to Disappear'' (1996) and then ''Moth to Mouth'' (2000) came after having been a sideman for many years. His music has been reviewed as "accessibly avant-garde" and although it may be difficult to shed his sideman cult status he remains inspired. ''Stingray in the Heart'' (2008) was described as an album that never pauses in a familiar territory.

Tepper is also a painter and he divides his time between music and painting.

Discography

With Captain Beefheart and the Magic Band

Studio albums

''Shiny Beast'' (1978)

''Doc At The Radar Station'' (1980)

''Ice Cream for Crow'' (1982)

Live albums

''I'm Going to Do What I Wanna Do: Live at My Father's Place 1978'' (2000) (recorded 1978)

Compilations

''A Carrot Is As Close As A Rabbit Gets To A Diamond'' (1993 compilation)

''Grow Fins: Rarities 1965–1982'' (1999)

''The Dust Blows Forward'' (1999)

''Merseytrout: Live in Liverpool 1980'' (2000)

With 17 Pygmies

''Captured In Ice'' (1985)

With Gary Lucas

''Improve The Shining Hour'' (2000 compilation)

With Tom Waits

''Franks Wild Years'' (1987)

With Frank Black

''Teenager of the Year'' (1994)

''Dog in the Sand'' (2001)

''Black Letter Days'' (2002)

''Devil's Workshop'' (2002)

Solo albums

''Big Enough to Disappear'' (1996)

''Moth to Mouth'' (2000)

''Head Off'' (2004)

''Stingray in the Heart'' (2008)

''A Singer Named Shotgun Throat (2010)

Compilations

''Songs In The Key Of Z: The Curious Universe Of Outsider Music'' (2000)

''Now Hear This!'' 70 (2008)

References

External links

Candlebone.com - Moris Tepper's official site

Moris Tepper at MySpace

Jeff Moris Tepper discography at Discogs

Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American rock guitarists Category:American blues guitarists Category:Slide guitarists Category:Musicians from Los Angeles, California Category:The Magic Band members Category:Contemporary painters Category:American painters Category:Living people

Coordinates	34°03′″N118°15′″N
name	Daz Dillinger
background	solo_singer
birth name	Delmar Arnaud
alias	Dat Nigga Daz
birth date	May 25, 1973
origin	Long Beach, California, U.S.
instrument	Drums, keyboards, drum machine, sampler
genre	Hip hop
occupation	Rapper, producer, Singer
years active	1992 – present
label	Death Row(1992–1999)D.P.G.(2000–present)Gangsta Advisory(2000–present)So So Def/Virgin/EMI Records(2003–2006)Koch(2006–2009)Doggy Style(2002–present)
associated acts	Tha Dogg Pound, Snoop Dogg, Lil' 1/2 Dead, Nate Dogg, Soopafly, Tupac Shakur, Kurupt, Lady of Rage, Z-Ro
website	dazmusic.com }}

Delmar Drew Arnaud (born May 25, 1973 in Long Beach, California), better known by his stage name Daz Dillinger (formerly Dat Nigga Daz) is an American hip hop producer and rapper mostly known for his membership in the rap duo Tha Dogg Pound, with Kurupt, and his work with Death Row Records.

Death Row years

''The Chronic'', Tha Dogg Pound and ''Dogg Food''

Daz began his career on Death Row Records as a producer for co-founder Suge Knight's then-girlfriend, Paradise. He was signed to the label and subsequently began working with Dr. Dre on the breakthrough west coast album, ''The Chronic''; during its recording, he met and grew close to Kurupt, whom he would soon work with professionally. The two formed Tha Dogg Pound for ''Doggystyle'', the debut album of his cousin the record label's up-and-coming star Snoop Dogg. The critically acclaimed album, as well as their later single "What Would You Do?", saw Tha Dogg Pound partake in the rivalry between Dr. Dre and former N.W.A. groupmate Eazy-E, by dissing artists on Eazy's Ruthless Records.

Dillinger was more heavily involved in ''Doggystyle'' than was his groupmate; while it was produced and mixed by Dre, Arnaud was featured on one track and received co-production credit on two ("Serial Killa" and "For All My Niggaz and Bitches"). Following its release, Daz and Kurupt put out their debut group album, ''Dogg Food'', to rave reviews and platinum sales. While the duo dissed Ruthless act Bone Thugs-N-Harmony on the album, ''Dogg Food'' also saw the duo engage in yet another conflict, this time the beef Suge and new signee 2Pac initiated against Bad Boy Entertainment's Puff Daddy and Notorious B.I.G.; Daz and Kurupt would expand the feud to include Capone-N-Noreaga, Tragedy Khadafi and Mobb Deep with their Snoop-assisted single "New York, New York."

Head producer, ''All Eyez on Me'' & ''Retaliation, Revenge & Get Back''

As the intercoastal rivalry escalated, and Suge Knight's increasingly intense strong-arm tactics entered the studio, head producer Dr. Dre steadily grew resentful of the label's dangerous atmosphere. Beginning with ''Dogg Food'', which Daz produced, Dre no longer produced whole Death Row albums; in his latter days as in-house producer, he worked only with 2Pac, producing three tracks (California Love, which was originally supposed to appear on the Aftermath compilation album, California Love Remix, and Can't C Me) for the rapper's definitive album ''All Eyez on Me''. Even before Dre left the label to found his own Aftermath Entertainment, Arnaud effectively took over as head producer, crafting most of the double-album's first disc and providing beats for Snoop Dogg's sophomore effort, ''Tha Doggfather'', from which Dre's production was absent. His status as head producer was made official once Dre left, and continued on even after 2Pac's murder and the artist-exodus it initiated. During his tenure heading the label's sound, Daz contributed production to the Gridlock'd soundtrack, Lady of Rage's ''Necessary Roughness'', and Nate Dogg's ''G-Funk Classics, Vol. 1''. His production would also pop up on the unofficial Snoop Dogg release ''Dead Man Walkin'' put out by Suge in 2001, after Daz himself had left the label.

Dillinger went on to put out his own solo album, ''Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back'' on Death Row in 1998; Nate Dogg, Kurupt and Snoop had already left the label, followed shortly thereafter by Daz himself. During this time a short-lived beef sparked between Daz and Snoop, regarding the latter's words against Suge Knight and the former's status at the label and disses inherent in the album, which Snoop Dogg later dropped out of respect for his cousin.

Off Death Row

Solo career & feud with Kurupt

After ending his tenure at Death Row, Arnaud would go on to produce for acts like Kurupt, Soopafly, and B-Legit; he put out the album R.A.W. in 2000, the flagship release for his own D.P.G. Recordz, which would for some time function as a vehicle for releasing solo albums. He and Kurupt united in 2001 for a second album, ''Dillinger & Young Gotti'', which received mixed reviews, under the name D.P.G. (as Suge still owned rights to the name 'Tha Dogg Pound' at the time). The group unity was short-lived, as Kurupt would subsequently re-sign with Death Row, prompting his former groupmate to diss him several times in song and interviews. Daz dissed Death Row with "Catch U In The Club", "U Ain't Shit" and a skit called "A Message to Ricardo Brown". Kurupt respond with "No Vaseline Part 2." The feud carried on from 2002 to 2005, while Dillinger released several solo efforts, including a 'DPGC' album with Snoop Dogg, Soopafly and Bad Azz and ''Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta LP'' on his own.

Reconciliation & upcoming projects

In 2005, Daz and Kurupt reconciled their differences at a west coast unity event hosted by Snoop Dogg; Kurupt proceeded to leave Death Row a second time, procuring rights to the name of Tha Dogg Pound and re-forming the duo with his former partner, who on his part ended his brief tenure at Jermaine Dupri's So So Def. The duo immediately commenced to releasing albums, including ''Dillinger & Young Gotti II: The Saga Continuez'', the ''Let'z Ryde Tonite EP'' and ''Cali iz Active'' with Snoop Dogg as the DPG. Their next proper album came in the form of 2007's ''Dogg Chit'', and then in 2009 with "That Was Then This Is Now". In the works for Daz are two Dogg Pound releases, one entitled ''100 Wayz''--formerly ''Westcoast Aftershocc'', through Snoop Dogg's Doggystyle records, and one produced in conjunction with Pete Rock. August 1, 2008, Daz Dillinger offered the new owners of Death Row Records to record videos for ''Dogg Food''; he also plans to repackage and release unreleased material.

Discography

Studio albums

1998: ''Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back''

2000: ''R.A.W.''

2002: ''This Is the Life I Lead''

2003: ''DPGC: U Know What I'm Throwin' Up''

2004: ''I Got Love in These Streetz''

2005: ''Tha Dogg Pound Gangsta LP''

2005: ''Gangsta Crunk''

2006: ''So So Gangsta''

2007: ''Gangsta Party''

2008: ''Only on the Left Side''

2009: ''Public Enemiez''

2010: ''Matter of Dayz''

2011: ''D.A.Z.''

TBA: ''When We All Get To Heaven''

Compilation albums

2001: ''Who Ride wit Us: Tha Compalation, Vol. 1''

2002: ''To Live and Die in CA''

2002: ''Who Ride wit Us: Tha Compalation, Vol. 2''

2008: ''Who Ride wit Us: Tha Compalation, Vol. 3''

2009: ''Who Ride wit Us: Tha Compalation, Vol. 4''

Collaboration albums

2001: ''Long Beach 2 Fillmoe'' (with JT the Bigga Figga)

2001: ''Game for Sale'' (with JT the Bigga Figga)

2003: ''Southwest'' (with Nuwine)

2009: ''Get That Paper'' (with Fratthouse)

TBA: ''West Coast Gangsta Sh*t'' (with WC)

TBA: ''Stay of Execution'' (with The N'Matez)

EPs

2001: ''Makaveli & Dillinger Don't Go 2 Sleep'' (with Makaveli)

Mixtapes

2004: ''DPG: Till The Day I Die Mixtape''

2005: ''So So Gangsta - The Mixtape''

2005: ''West Coast Gangstas - Starring: Tha Dogg Pound'' (Hosted by DJ Kurupt)

2009: ''Dillinger & Makaveli - Tribute: Streetz of LA Special Edition'' (Hosted by DJ Nik Bean)

Awards

Nominated in 1996 Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group (with Kurupt): "What Would You Do"

References

External links

Official website

Interview

Category:1970 births Category:African American rappers Category:Death Row Records artists Category:American hip hop record producers Category:Crips Category:Virgin Records artists Category:G-funk Category:Living people Category:So So Def artists Category:E1 Music artists Category:People from Long Beach, California Category:Priority Records artists Category:Rappers from Los Angeles, California

de:Daz Dillinger es:Daz Dillinger fr:Daz Dillinger ko:대즈 딜린저 hr:Daz Dillinger it:Daz Dillinger pl:Daz Dillinger pt:Daz Dillinger fi:Daz Dillinger sv:Daz Dillinger tr:Daz Dillinger