Legendary rapper, actor, and entrepreneur Ice Cube stopped by The Baller Alert Show with hosts Ferrari Simmons and BT to talk about his upcoming album Man Down, his influence on hip-hop, and his groundbreaking basketball league, the Big 3. Ice Cube brought his signature authenticity and candidness, diving deep into his creative process and reflecting on the lessons learned throughout his illustrious career.
A West Coast Sound Returns
Set to release on November 22, Cube’s latest project, Man Down, promises to deliver quintessential West Coast vibes. Featuring 19 tracks, the album includes guest appearances from icons like E-40, Snoop Dogg, Too $hort, and rising artist October London. Cube describes the album as “quintessential Ice Cube,” packed with hard-hitting beats and lyrics that stay true to his roots.
“I started off making music, so to me, that’s the most natural part of my career,” Cube shared. “I’m still hungry. I still love hip-hop, creating songs, getting beats, and writing rhymes. All that’s still fun to me.”
Hip-Hop Purist: Cube on Writers in Rap
The conversation also touched on Cube’s thoughts about the modern rap game, particularly the use of writers by some artists. “If you’ve got a writer, I don’t consider you an MC,” he stated. “You’re a vocalist, and that’s cool, but being an MC means you can write and spit your own rhymes.”
Though freestyle isn’t his forte, Cube emphasized his passion for writing and crafting meaningful lyrics, which he sees as the foundation of all great music and literature.
Big 3: Filling the Void in Summer Sports
Ice Cube also discussed the incredible growth of his basketball league, the Big 3. Created to fill the gap between the NBA Finals and the start of the NFL season, the league has become a must-watch for basketball fans, featuring retired NBA players who still have elite skills.
“I saw a void in the sports industry,” Cube explained. “Three-on-three basketball was just sitting there, underutilized, and I thought, ‘Why not elevate it to the pro level?’”
The league has become a sensation, and Cube’s fearless approach to building it is paying off. He even made headlines with a bold offer to women’s basketball star Caitlin Clark, which he admitted was blocked by business decisions from her agents.
On Legacy and Staying True
Reflecting on his career, Cube said he’s proud of his evolution from rap icon to Hollywood powerhouse to business mogul. However, his commitment to quality has remained constant.
“People might not like everything I do, but they can’t say it’s trash or a money grab,” Cube said. “I always put 100% into everything I release, because wasting your time is worse than wasting your money.”
When asked about retirement, Cube made it clear he has no plans to slow down. “I don’t even know what the word ‘retirement’ means,” he said with a laugh. “I’ll keep going until the end of time.”
What’s Next for Ice Cube?
Fans can expect Cube’s highly anticipated album Man Down on November 22, along with potential new visuals for tracks like “She Sanctified,” which features Snoop Dogg, Too $hort, and E-40. The West Coast legend also hinted at continuing the Friday franchise with a potential sequel, Last Friday, which could bring back some beloved characters.
For Ice Cube, the journey is far from over. Whether through music, movies, or the Big 3, the Cube brand continues to set a standard for excellence across industries.
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