Ice Cube Talks to CBS SUNDAY MORNING About His Greatest Setback

By any measure, rapper, actor, producer and entrepreneur Ice Cube has been successful in his career. However, he still feels like he has to convince people he's on top of his game, he tells Tracy Smith in an interview for CBS SUNDAY MORNING to be broadcast Sunday, August 12 (9:00 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Ice Cube, whose real name is O'Shea Jackson, tells Smith that being doubted is his greatest setback.

"You know, doubted all the time, you know, as far as things I want to do in entertainment," he tells Smith. "You know, you've still always got to convince people that you're at the top of your game and that you're not yesterday's news."

Today, he's one of the most bankable stars in the movie business. He broke into films in 1991 in "Boyz n the Hood" after a groundbreaking career with the rap PIONEERS N.W.A. He's been working in films ever since, including acting in such titles as "21 Jump Street" and "Barbershop," while also serving as a producer on "Straight Outta Compton," a docudrama on his time with N.W.A., starring his son.

Still, he tells Smith, he's trying to prove himself.

"Always," Ice Cube says. "I mean, just, you know, just being black, you - I'm going to have a chip on my shoulder about being successful. Because I know I've got to do the extra things, I've got to go the extra miles, got to make sure it's perfect to get what I deserve. So, that's just in my DNA. And it's always going to be there."

In addition to his many entertainment ventures - and being a married father of four - Ice Cube is focused on being a co-founder of the Big 3 Basketball League, a three-on-three league featuring many former NBA regulars on the various team rosters. Some of them figured their playing days were over until the new league came along. He says that he gets satisfaction out of helping others.

"Man, that's one of the best parts, you know," he tells Smith. "All the thanks I get from guys who said, 'Man, I was lost, I was looking for something to do.' And I just imagine, you know, you're 33, 34. Somebody tells you it's over. You can't do what you do anymore. Basically beat it."

In a wide-ranging interview, Smith talks with Ice Cube about his career, his parents, his wife, and his legacy.

CBS SUNDAY MORNING is broadcast Sundays (9:00-10:30 AM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. Rand Morrison is the executive producer.

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Photo Credit: CBS

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