Ice Cube

A founding member of seminal West Coast gangsta rap group NWA, Ice Cube (O'Shea Jackson) has managed to acheive longevity in the notoriously short-lived world of rap stardom. His earlier solo albums (LETHAL INJECTION, DEATH CERTIFICATE) are among the most uncompromising rap records ever made. Despite accusations of rampant homophobia and misogyny in his work, Ice Cube sold millions of records in the '90s, and his G-funk style proved enormously influential to subsequent rappers. Along the way, he even managed a successful career in films (FRIDAY, BARBERSHOP, BOYZ N' THE HOOD).