Ice Cube talks, Kendrick Lamar, SOC, and son O’shea Jackson Jr.

In the midst of promoting his brand new film “Ride Along 2,” Ice Cube sat down with Power 105.1’s Angie Martinez to talk about an array of topics.

Being a West Coast rap legend himself, it was inevitable for Cube to touch on the topic of Kendrick Lamar. The soon-to-be Compton key-holder recently referred to N.W.A. as the “gatekeepers” of West Coast rap. “That’s a cool name. I feel that,” Ice Cube said in response. “And Kendrick is a new gatekeeper. He’s keeping the tradition alive.”

The head honcho for the “Cube Vision” production company also touched on his recent blockbuster hit “Staight Outta Compton.” The movie, which garnered over $160 million at the box office, is at the forefront of an Oscars conversation that centers around a lack of diversity. The movie was nominated for Best Screenplay, but received no nominations for any of its standout actors or director F. Gary Gray, though many people feel that it should have.

“I do what I’m supposed to do to promote the project. I ain’t gonna kiss no ass for nothing,” Cube said in reference to the snub. “Maybe that is the problem, or maybe we should have put a slave in Straight Outta Compton. I think that’s where we messed up,” he joked. When asked about whether he felt that the  snub was about race or hip hop, Ice Cube responded “both.”

Though he was clear on his opinion that “Straight Outta Compton” deserved an Academy award, Ice Cube is much more appreciative of the recognition that the movie got from its viewers. “The thing about it is that [an Oscar] does not define us. That award is cool – it’s cool to be recognized – but people recognized this movie back in August when it did $200 million at the box office, Cube said. “The beauty [of Straight Outta Compton] is not that some Academy members get it-it’s the hard core fans, they’ll let you you know if you got it right.”

The gangsta-rap pioneer did mention that had “Straight Outta Compton” been nominated, and won, an Oscar, the cast definitely would have went on stage and “clowned.”

Angie Martinez didn’t let Ice Cube leave without discussing his son, and newly deemed heartthrob, O’shea Jackson Jr. “Let’s talk about your boy,” Martinez exclaimed to a smiling Ice Cube. “I remember I used to be the guy,” Ice Cube laughed, in response to being told that his son is “the guy” right now. “It’s cool, you gotta pass the torch,” he stated. Cube went on to talk about how proud he was of his son’s performance and how he hopes that it will launch a great career for him. 

Sources: Allhiphop.com