Ice Cube gives viewers an intimate look at his three-decade-long career—from a founding member of N.W.A. to a blockbuster movie star—on VH1’s “Behind the Music.” The extraordinary life of O’Shea Jackson starts with his childhood in South Central Los Angeles where he faced gang violence and drug dealers. He went on to release the seminal album Straight Outta Compton with N.W.A. before embarking on a successful solo career, and starred in movies such as Boyz N the Hood, Friday, Barbershop, and Are We There Yet?

Cube visits his old stomping grounds with commentary from his family and friends including Snoop Dogg, director John Singleton, and actress Nia Long.

“You either have it or you don’t and I happen to have it,” says the West Coast icon, who transformed the face of hip-hop. Watch the full episode below.

Ice Cube performed something old and something new on Tuesday’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” The West Coast rap pioneer, dressed in his all-black uniform, returned to late night to perform on the outdoor stage in Hollywood. He banged out “I Rep That West” off his last year’s I Am the West and took it back with his 1993 classic “It Was a Good Day,” encouraging the audience to throw their peace signs up.

Cube also unveiled a series of original artwork, including iconic photographs and album covers, in collaboration with RareInk. The first batch of limited edition pieces, autographed by the rapper himself, will go on sale on June 22 at 10 a.m. PST. Proceeds benefit the Minority AIDS Project.

Ice Cube has starred in the Friday series and Boyz n the Hood, but the rapper-turned-actor took on his most challenging role yet—pitchman for Cocoa Puffs. A tough-talking Cube delivered the cereal’s catchphrase last night on Conan O’Brien’s talk show.

“I’m cuckoo for Cocoa Pebbles, bitch!” said the former N.W.A. member, who stars and executive produces the TBS series “Are We There Yet?” He also shared his embarrassing high school yearbook photo (“‘Miami Vice’ messed up the world”) and his sons’ rap names, Doughboy and Oh My Goodness (OMG).

Watch his hilarious appearance on “Conan” below.

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It was a not-so-silent night for listeners of Power 106. The L.A. radio station started the weekend off right with its annual Cali Christmas concert at the Gibson Ampitheater in Universal City, Calif. Waka Flocka Flame, New Boyz (with Teairra Mari), and Far East Movement performed early in the evening, making way for Rick Ross, Pitbull, Ice Cube, and Chris Brown, who brought his own gifts with guests Bow Wow, Tyga, and Ester Dean. E-40 and Too $hort received a warm welcome from their L.A. fans with their surprise set.

Check out our photo gallery from the blazin’ evening below.

Photos by Rap-Up

Ice Cube turned Power 106’s Cali Christmas into one giant gangsta’s paradise. Santa Cube came down the chimney, wearing his uniform black Dickies and black Chucks, for his first performance at the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City. The headlining rapper banged out old school and new school hits, including “Gangsta Nation” and “You Can Do It,” along with his Westside Connection affiliate WC. Spend some time on the Westside.

Rap-Up TV sat down with hip-hop icon Ice Cube in his Los Angeles office overlooking Sunset Boulevard to discuss his latest album I Am the West, dropping next week, and his distant relationship with Dr. Dre, who never completed the tracks for his album. “Dre went M.I.A. I don’t know where he at. If ya’ll find him, tell him give me a call,” he says of his fellow N.W.A. alum.

The rapper-turned-actor also shares his advice for newcomer Nicki Minaj. “I think she got what it takes to make a dent out here as a female MC, which ain’t easy,” he states. “As long as she sticks to the lyrics—more lyrics, less sex, more lyrics, less showing your ass—she can blow. She gotta drop a whole album and then we’ll see.” But who does he think had the best verse on Kanye’s “Monster”?

Plus, Cube shows his support for Soulja Boy and reveals which pop star (Lady Gaga, Britney Spears, or Madonna) he would collaborate with if asked. And after nine solo albums, will the rap pioneer be hanging up the mic? Head West and find out.

Ice Cube puts some color into a black-and-white world in the video for “Drink the Kool-Aid,” the latest offering from I Am the West, in stores September 28. The rapper-actor rocks a purple Mr. Kool-Aid T-Shirt while journeying through the Wild Wild West. Take a sip of Cube’s latest banger below.

West Coast veteran Ice Cube hit up the East Coast for a promo run that included a stop on Friday’s “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon.”

Cube talked about losing the Best Rappers of the West contest to a group named Shampoo, Press, and Curl, how N.W.A. helped bring together The Roots, his new album I Am the West, and appearing on Dr. Dre’s long-delayed Detox (“He’s like the Stanley Kubrick of producers”).

He also grabbed the mic for an impromptu performance of “It Was A Good Day” with The Roots, while Jimmy sang along.

Ice Cube has starred in many Hollywood blockbusters, and now the rapper-turned-actor makes his first Western. The West Coast bandito conquers his home turf in the explosive video for “I Rep That West,” the first single from his ninth studio album I Am the West (July 13). Don’t come around these parts unless you want to mess with Señor Cube.

Ice Cube is back in the saddle in the fiery preview for “I Rep That West,” the first single from his forthcoming album I Am the West, in stores July 13. The hip-hop outlaw brings out the big guns for a showdown in the wild, wild West.