Ice Cube Net Worth | Inside Ice Cube’s $160 Million Fortune

Ice Cube Net Worth | Ice Cube’s real name is O’Shea Jackson Sr. He was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles. 

It was there he started writing lyrics in his notepad as a young boy. This marked the start of his musical journey.

He didn’t stop at music though. Ice Cube had a strong sense of business. Soon, he was making big business decisions. 

He explored areas beyond music. He got into different creative fields. He tried out new and innovative ventures.

All these steps helped him rise to the top. They placed him among the wealthiest in the music industry.

Today, Ice Cube’s net worth is around $160 million. That’s quite a leap for a kid from South Central LA. His fortune is now admired by many.

But there’s more to his story than just money. From a humble start, Ice Cube rose to monumental heights. 

The path he has walked is a captivating tale of determination and ambition. Sit tight, as we are about to discover how Ice Cube’s net worth was built.

Full Name	O’Shea Jackson Sr.
Professionally Known As	Ice Cube
Net Worth	$160 Million
Height	173 cm
Weight	88 kg
Profession	Rapper, Actor, Producer, Director, Writer, Entrepreneur
Nationality	American
Salary	$5 million (per year)
Yearly Income	$5 million
Gender	Male
Age	54
Date of Birth	June 15, 1969
Relationship Status	Married to Kimberly Woodruff
Children	Four (O’Shea Jackson Jr., Darrell Jackson, Kareema Jackson, Shareef Jackson)

Early Music Career

Ice Cube first rose to fame as a member of the seminal gangsta rap group N.W.A. 

Ice Cube formed the group along with Arabian Prince, Dr. Dre, Eazy-E, DJ Yella, and MC Ren in the mid-1980s. 

Their 1988 debut album, Straight Outta Compton, would go on to become a major success and helped establish gangsta rap as a mainstream genre. 

Known for its raw, aggressive sound and charged lyrics, it is considered one of the most influential and greatest rap albums of all time.

Ice Cube wrote most of the lyrics on N.W.A.’s early albums and some of their most controversial songs. Including “Fuck tha Police” and “Gangsta Gangsta.”

He left N.W.A. in 1989 due to royalty disputes and soon released his solo debut AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted in 1990. 

An acclaimed album that dealt with topics like hood life, police brutality, racism, and poverty.

Over the next several years, Ice Cube would go on to release more hit solo albums that cemented his status as a gangsta rap icon. 

Including 1991’s Death Certificate and 1992’s The Predator, which featured the hit single “It Was a Good Day.” 

His music merged gangsta rap with political and social commentary, and he has been widely praised as one of the genre’s greatest lyricists.

Acting Career

Ice Cube’s acting career took off in 1991 with his breakout role as Doughboy in Boyz n the Hood. The critically acclaimed coming-of-age drama is set in South Central Los Angeles. 

Directed by John Singleton, the film earned over $57 million at the box office and cemented Ice Cube as a serious dramatic actor. 

He continued his acting career with comedic roles in the Friday series starting with 1995’s Friday.

Here he played the character Craig alongside Chris Tucker. The stoner comedy film was a surprise hit, grossing over $28 million. 

Ice Cube reprised his Craig role in the successful sequels Next Friday and Friday After Next.

In the 2000s, Ice Cube starred in Barbershop and its sequel Barbershop 2, as well as the hit family comedy Are We There Yet? and its sequel.

He proved he could transition seamlessly between gritty dramas and lighthearted comedies. His filmography in the 90s includes cult classics like Anaconda and Dangerous Ground. 

And Higher Learning, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Omit, Ice Cube has proven himself as a bankable star, with his movies grossing over $1 billion at the box office during his career.

Production Career

Ice Cube co-founded the film production company Cube Vision with longtime manager Jason Shriner in 1998. 

Through Cube Vision, Ice Cube has produced several hit films including the 2005 comedy Are We There Yet? 

And its sequel, as well as the 2014 action comedy Ride Along starring Kevin Hart and Ice Cube.

One of Cube Vision’s most notable productions was the 2015 biopic Straight Outta Compton. 

Which chronicles the rise and fall of the rap group N.W.A. Ice Cube co-produced the film and also portrayed himself in it. 

Straight Outta Compton was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $200 million worldwide on a $28 million budget.

In television, Cube Vision produced the hit comedy series Barbershop and Are We There Yet? 

Based on Cube’s films of the same name. Ice Cube has found great success as a producer across both film and TV through his company Cube Vision.

Other Business Ventures

Ice Cube has expanded his portfolio into diverse business areas beyond music and acting. 

He co-founded the fashion company Solo by Cube in 2005, which includes clothing lines, perfumes, and accessories. 

The rapper has endorsed major brands like Coors Light, St. Ides, and iTunes. 

One of his biggest investments has been the Big3 basketball league, a 3-on-3 professional league that Cube co-founded in 2017. 

The Big3 has expanded quickly, recently partnering with CBS Sports. Cube has made other investments in areas like real estate. 

His ability to recognize business opportunities and expand his entrepreneurship skills into new industries like sports and fashion has grown his wealth over the years.

Total Net Worth Estimate

Ice Cube’s current net worth is estimated to be around $160 million. The majority of his wealth comes from his extensive musical career, both as a solo artist and with the seminal rap group N.W.A. 

Cube has sold over 10 million albums and a further 22 million records with N.W.A. Additional revenue streams boosting his net worth include film and TV projects. 

He has starred in hit movies like Boyz n the Hood, Friday, Barbershop, and Are We There Yet? grossing over $742 million at the box office collectively. 

His production company Cube Vision has produced various films, reality shows, and his clothing line. Compared to previous years, Ice Cube’s net worth has steadily increased over time. 

In 2012 it was estimated at $100 million, rising to $140 million in 2014 and now approaching $160 million.

This can be attributed to the continued success of older music and films, along with new albums and movie projects adding to his wealth.

Net Worth Compared To Other Rappers

Ice Cube’s net worth of $160 million puts him among the richest rappers in the world. 

He ranks higher than many top hip-hop artists like Eminem ($230 million), Snoop Dogg ($150 million), and 50 Cent ($30 million).

The only rappers ahead of Ice Cube are hip-hop moguls like Dr. Dre ($820 million) and Diddy ($885 million). 

Thanks to their highly lucrative branding empires. Though Ice Cube doesn’t have the biggest net worth in rap music. He has built an impressive fortune from a multi-faceted career spanning over 3 decades.

From his early success with N.W.A. to blockbuster movies and established brands like the BIG3 basketball league. Ice Cube has proven to be one of the most financially successful rappers. 

His business savvy and work ethic have allowed him to amass large wealth and rank among hip-hop’s richest entrepreneurs.

Name	Net Worth
Ice Cube	$160 million
Jay-Z	$2.5 billion
Dr. Dre	$500 million
Diddy	$900 million
Kanye West	$400 million
Eminem	$250 million
Snoop Dogg	$150 million
Lil Wayne	$170 million
Birdman	$150 million
Rick Ross	$150 million

Why He Didn’t Get Paid At Beginning

Ice Cube didn’t receive payment for his early work with N.W.A. due to unfair record label contracts and disputes over royalties. 

After their first album, Straight Outta Compton became a major success, Ice Cube realized that both he and the other members of N.W.A. 

Were not being paid properly by their manager Jerry Heller and label Ruthless Records, owned by Eazy-E. 

Heller was accused of withholding royalties and giving the members paltry contracts. For example, Ice Cube was offered only $75,000 for his contributions while the label made millions. 

Frustrated over the lack of payment, Ice Cube left N.W.A. in December 1989, before the recording of their second album. 

Though he had written over half of the lyrics on Straight Outta Compton. Ice Cube’s name was only listed for 8 out of 13 tracks, further minimizing his compensation. 

The unfair contracts and payment disputes stemming from Ruthless Records were a major factor in Ice Cube not receiving proper payment for his early pioneering work with N.W.A.

Keys To Financial Success

Ice Cube’s net worth did not come without hard work and savvy business decisions. 

He has maintained a diverse set of revenue streams, from music to acting to various business ventures. 

This has allowed him to continue growing his wealth over decades in the entertainment industry.

One of the keys to his success is making smart investments and starting companies in industries beyond music and film. 

For example, he co-founded the 3-on-3 basketball league Big3, which was recently valued at over $40 million. 

He also invested early in the Bodyarmor sports drink, netting him a sizeable windfall when Coca-Cola acquired it. Besides, Ice Cube has been able to build his fortune through frugal spending habits. 

Despite his millions, he does not flaunt an extravagant lifestyle. He lives in a comfortable but modest LA home and takes pride in not overspending on luxury goods. 

This frugality allows him to reinvest income rather than spend on depreciating assets. Ice Cube’s financial strategy has relied on diversification, savvy investments, and prudent spending. 

This has enabled him to continuously grow his wealth over a multi-decade career in the spotlight. His keys to success provide valuable lessons for anyone looking to build long-lasting wealth.

Understanding Ice Cube’s Financial Success: FAQ On His Net Worth

Conclusion

Ice Cube is a big name now. He began in South Central Los Angeles. He turned into a millionaire as a kid. 

His work has shaken up the entertainment world. He became a rapper first. As a rapper, he talked about real stuff. 

His music gave voice to many. Then, he tried acting. His acting roles became famous. They are part of pop culture today. He didn’t stop just there. He founded a basketball league, BIG3.

This added to his success. Now, he is not only a rapper or an actor. He is a businessman as well. All his hard work paid off. 

Today, Ice Cube’s net worth is $160 million. His growth is unusual. He shows how to rise from the bottom to the top.

Ice Cube’s wealth has a lesson for us. It is crucial to have different income sources. Step by step, we can build wealth. Ice Cube is popular for different things. Not just for his music and acting roles. 

But also for his money smarts. With talent and hard work, he proves that we can reach any goal.