Ice Cube Gets His Name on Goodyear Blimp

It was a good day for Ice Cube. Not only did his movie open at No. 1 at the box office, but he also got to live out his lyrics and get his name on the Goodyear blimp.

On his 1993 hit “It Was a Good Day,” the rap veteran describes the perfect day in South Central L.A. “Even saw the lights of the Goodyear Blimp / And it read, ‘Ice Cube’s a pimp,'” he raps.

Over 20 years after the release of the song, Cube’s name was put up in lights on the blimp thanks to an Internet fundraising petition.

Three fans calling themselves “Team Good Day Blimp” vowed to raise $25,000 for at-risk youth charity A Place Called Home if Goodyear would fly the blimp on January 20, the date that inspired the song.

Once Cube agreed and Jimmy Fallon promoted the petition on his “Late Night” show, Goodyear signed on. While organizers were hoping for the blimp to say “Ice Cube’s a Pimp,” Goodyear agreed to a more family-friendly message: “Ice Cube Says Today Is a Good Day.”

“I knew this song had legs when we did it, and it’s actually my most popular song,” said Cube. “I never knew that 20 years later, people would still be this interested in the song and the lyrics, and that the song would do something this special for some good kids.”

Goodyear flew its blimp over South Central L.A. with Cube and kids from A Place Called Home on board. He also presented the charity with a check for $25,000.

Cube also received a big check of his own as Ride Along, his comedy with Kevin Hart, debuted at No. 1 with $41.2 million.

Photo credit: Ted Soqui/LA Weekly