As a solo artist and as a member of the influential West Coast group N.W.A., Ice Cube was a driving force that helped put gangsta rap on the map. He stood out from his peers as a great – if controversial –storyteller with a tremendous presence onstage. It was only a matter of time before filmmakers recognized his potential. Much as Ice Cube made his mark representing the tough streets of South Los Angeles in his music, his early film appearances likewise cast him as familiar characters from the ‘hood. He showed great screen promise with his debut in John Singleton’s Academy Award-nominated
