El hip hop es un género musical que incluye golpes rítmicos que acompañan a una voz principal que rapea. Este es un género musical muy popular y uno de los principales componentes de lo que es considerado como la cultura hip hop. Muchos espectáculos instrumentales en los que se presentan DJs sin apoyo vocal, también son abarcados bajo el género de la música hip hop. Esto se ha vuelto más popular dado que las técnicas de mezclado y sampleo (o muestreo) han madurado en los últimos años.
Ice Cube (nacido como O'Shea Jackson el 15 de junio de 1969 en Los Angeles, California) es un rapero y actor americano. Comenzó su carrera como miembro del polémico grupo de gangsta rap N.W.A., y posteriormente lanzaría su exitosa carrera en solitario en la música y en el cine. En los últimos años, su carrera como actor ha sido el centro de su vida, aunque no ha descuidado para nada el rap. Está considerado como uno de los iconos y figuras más influyentes en la industria del hip hop, particularmente por su rap intrépido y enfadado, y por tocar temas políticos y raciales en sus letras.
En junio de 2006, Cube lanzó su esperado álbum de reaparición titulado Laugh Now, Cry Later, bajo su propio sello discográfico, Da Lench Mob Records. En el álbum aparecen artistas como Snoop Dogg, Lil Jon y WC. El primer single fue "Why We Thugs", tema producido por Scott Storch.
To all the non-believers (non-believers, non-believers, non-believers)
(Non-believers, non-believers, non-believers, non-believers)
I make a non-believer say: Oh my God
Ain't nothin' too incredible for the Wizard of Oz
Ain't nothin' too regretable for me to lose no sleep
These the cards I was dealt, bitch, read 'em and weep
It's that West side rollin, pussies get swollen
Knockin' niggas down in the pen, I'm bowlin'
Controllin' everything I'm holdin'
I made a promise to myself
I'ma keep it gangsta always
Even in the hallways of corporate America, break down the barrier
Self-made, Koolaid, fuck what you say
Fuck what he say, pimpin' ain't easy
Don Mega put a dagger in your swagger
Rollin' zones, tell Mick Jagger
Fuck the chit-chatter
I got a bladder full of red cup liquor, yes, my nigga
Drinkin' out the pitcher, I turn water into wine like scripture
Make a toast, every dose is a overdose
And that ghost'll make your ass do the holy ghost
Make believers outta non-believers
Make believers out the overseers
Make 'em bow down when they need us
We got some non-believers out there
Make believers outta non-believers
Make believers out the overseers
Make 'em bow down when they need us
They got to bow down when they need us
Boo, I pop up like a phantom
And niggas got to take the ass whoopin' that I hand 'em
Yup, the guys call me Samson, I'm dangerous with a Samsung
Call my niggas at random and they quick to make ugly outta handsome
Old rappers, I fuck up your grandson
New rappers, meet Charlie Manson
I brainwash your damn son, yup, he'll leave the house with a handgun
But if he ran into Zimmerman, pull it out homie, you ain't got to run
It's a cold, cold world for all these non-believers and underachievers
These fake ass bitches and divas
Where the fuck will they go when they leave us?
Make believers outta non-believers
Make believers out the overseers
Make 'em bow down when they need us
We got some non-believers out there
Make believers outta non-believers
Make believers out the overseers
Make 'em bow down when they need us
They got to bow down when they need us
Don't get hogtied fuckin' with the raw hide
My four-five make the law hide
For life, gangsta for life
Think about your wife 'fore you play with your life
It's that rattlesnake from the battle state, trick
That python with the mic on, bitch
Palm trees are like napalm, grimy
In my hood he like Treyvon, try me
I'm walkin' home with my Skittles
The neighborhood watch first house to get riddled
Bust, leave bullets in your pillow
You fuckin' hero, don't make that bitch a widow
This gon' hurt just a little
White people, stop sayin' "ghetto"
It's like the pot callin' the kettle
Damn, you the reason why we ghetto
We got some non-believers out there
Make believers outta non-believers
Make believers out the overseers
Make 'em bow down when they need us
They got to bow down when they need us
Can you believe this motherfuckin' shit?
Havin' faith is believin' in somethin' you have yet to see
You got to believe in somethin', homie
Why not believe in me?