Ice Cube’s Son, O’Shea Jackson Jr. Responds to Being Labeled a ‘Nepotism Baby’: “I Had To Get My Ass Up And Make It Work”

Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea Jackson Jr., addresses nepotism in Hollywood.

Vulture magazine recently released a cover story called “Year Of The Nepo Baby,” highlighting the stars that gained fame with the help of their famous relatives. The article sparked a conversation about work ethic and how nepotism is used as a tool for success.

However, O’Shea took a moment to add his input to the discussion, saying he put in a lot of work to reach the status he has now. The 31-year-old actor made his acting debut in the 2015 N.W.A biopic ‘Straight Outta Compton,’ where he played the role of his father.

“My dad told me in a perfect world, I would play him in straight outta Compton,” he tweeted. “I  was already in college for screenwriting at USC. I accepted the challenge. And auditioned for two years before getting the role. After that it was up to me, he couldn’t hold my hand through my career.”

My dad told me in a perfect world, I would play him in straight outta compton. I was already in college for screenwriting at USC. I accepted the challenge. And auditioned for two years before getting the role. After that it was up to me, he couldn’t hold my hand through my career

— O’Shea Jackson Jr (@OsheaJacksonJr) December 20, 2022

He continued, “I had to get my a** up and make it work. From the roles I chose. The work ethic I put into them. My professionalism on sets and promo tours. Even leaving HIS agency and goin to find a team of my own. Once the door was opened it was up to me to walk through it and thrive.”

Nevertheless, O’Shea still gave credit to his father for setting up the foundation for him to succeed.

“But none of that. NONE. OF. THAT. Happens that way without the love of my father,” O’Shea wrote. “The work he put in to get us to a place of opportunity. And for me to ignore that or not accept and use as a guide would be foolish and disrespectful. I am grateful and I use his teachings daily.”

To end his statement, O’Shea says he wants everyone to “blaze a trail” to “pave the way for the next” generation.

Family first. May everyone who reads this, blaze a trail for their family to be able to walk in the future. And teach them to love themselves. To love their family. And pave the way for the next.

Thank you that was my TED talk.

— O’Shea Jackson Jr (@OsheaJacksonJr) December 20, 2022