Net Worth Ranker
What Is Ice Cube’s Net Worth?
Ice Cube, born O’Shea Jackson on June 15, 1969, in South Central Los Angeles, has amassed a considerable fortune over his career. As of 2025, his net worth is estimated to be $160 million. This wealth is the result of his multifaceted career as a rapper, actor, producer, and entrepreneur.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Growing up on Van Wick Street in Los Angeles, Ice Cube’s early life provided the foundation for his later success. At age 16, he sold his first song to Eazy-E, a pivotal moment that foreshadowed his involvement with N.W.A. He briefly attended the Phoenix Institute of Technology in Arizona, studying architectural drafting and completing his diploma in a year (1987), before returning to Los Angeles to pursue music. This period also saw the formation of C.I.A. with his friend Sir Jinx, performing at parties hosted by Dr. Dre.
N.W.A. and Solo Career
Ice Cube’s career took off with N.W.A., where he was a primary songwriter. He penned lyrics for Dr. Dre and Eazy-E, contributing significantly to the group’s breakthrough album, “Straight Outta Compton” in 1988. Despite his integral role, he was paid only $32,000 for his contributions, leading to his departure from the group due to contract and payment disputes. This experience shaped his approach to business and ensured he had more control over his finances and creative output in his subsequent endeavors.
His solo career was marked by the release of “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted” in May 1990, which achieved instant success. The same year, he released the EP “Kill at Will,” which earned platinum status, marking a significant achievement in hip-hop. His third album, “The Predator,” released in November 1992, debuted at #1 on both the pop and R&B charts. It sold over three million copies in the U.S., making it his most commercially successful release.
While specific details regarding album sales revenue are not publicly available, industry estimates suggest that a platinum album (one million copies sold) can generate several million dollars in revenue for the artist, depending on the artist’s contract with the record label. Ice Cube’s ability to write, perform, and produce his music has allowed him to retain a larger percentage of the revenue compared to artists who rely heavily on external songwriters and producers.
In 2000, Ice Cube joined Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Snoop Dogg for the “Up in Smoke Tour.” After another six years he released another album, “Laugh Now, Cry Later,” which debuted at #4 on the “Billboard” charts. “I Am the West” was Ice Cube’s ninth solo album, and he released it on September 28, 2010. Ice Cube collaborated on different projects and with various groups through the 2010s, including stepping outside of the hip-hop world to work with Trent Reznor and David Bowie on some tracks. He released his tenth solo album, “Everythang’s Corrupt,” in 2018, after slowly releasing singles over several years.
Acting and Film Production Career
Ice Cube transitioned into acting with his debut in John Singleton’s “Boyz n the Hood” in 1991. In 1995, he starred in, co-wrote, and produced “Friday,” which became a cult classic. The film’s success spawned several sequels. He also directed, produced, wrote, and starred in “The Players Club” in 1998.
While specific salary figures for each of his acting roles are not publicly available, it’s safe to assume that his compensation has increased substantially with each successive role, especially after the success of “Friday” established him as a bankable star. His role in “xXx: State of the Union” and “Are We There Yet?” would have likely commanded several million dollars each. In October 2021, Ice Cube exited the film “Oh Hell No” after declining to get a COVID-19 vaccine, forfeiting a $9 million salary.
Beyond acting, Ice Cube’s production company, Cube Vision, has been behind numerous successful film and television projects. He produced the 2015 N.W.A. biopic “Straight Outta Compton,” in which his son O’Shea Jr. portrayed him. The film grossed over $200 million worldwide on a budget of $28 million, demonstrating Ice Cube’s ability to create commercially successful content.
His film “Friday” was produced on a budget of $3.5 million and grossed over $28 million. This movie created several sequels and enhanced Cube’s Net Worth by a large margin. Similarly, the “Barbershop” franchise, in which he starred and produced, generated hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue.
Other Ventures
In 1996, Ice Cube formed Westside Connection with Mack 10 and WC, releasing two albums. He also launched a clothing line, Solo by Cube, and became a spokesperson for Coors Light beer in 2011. These ventures contribute to his income stream, though specific revenue figures are not publicly available.
Ice Cube announced his new project, Big3, on January 11, 2017. Big3 is a concept professional basketball league featuring former NBA greats. Season one began in June 2017. In 2023, it was announced that Ice Cube teamed up with Jesse Collins to bring a new Big3 sports league docuseries to light for Jesse Collins Entertainment to tell of the success of the league and its track to becoming one of the biggest in the world. While the profitability of Big3 can vary from year to year, it adds considerably to Ice Cube’s overall business portfolio and net worth.
Real Estate and Personal Life
In May 2016, Ice Cube purchased a home in Marina Del Rey, California, for $7.25 million from Jean-Claude Van Damme. He and his wife also own a mansion in Encino, California, acquired in June 1996 for $2.36 million. The Encino property features a nearly 8,000-square-foot main house with seven bedrooms, a pool, spa, and a full-size basketball court on a 1.11-acre lot.
Ice Cube married Kimberly Woodruff on April 26, 1992, and they have five children. This stable family life has provided a supportive environment for his business and creative endeavors.
Ice Cube’s “Net Worth” of $160 million reflects his success in various domains, including music, film, television, and entrepreneurial pursuits.
