Ice Cube, born O’Shea Jackson, is one of only a handful of rappers who seem to have made the crossover to big-screen popularity.
The 34-year-old performer first hit as a singer-songwriter with the controversial and influential N.W.A. He became the target of music critics who hammered him for what they perceived to be ruthlessly volatile and potentially dangerous rap lyrics.
After quitting the band, he broke out as a solo act and toured and recorded with Public Enemy, the Red Hot Chili Peppers and George Clinton. His movie career took off with 1991’s “Boyz N The Hood,” which led to the three “Friday” films, “Dangerous Ground,” “Anaconda” and “Three Kings.”
Now it’s the 34-year-old’s role as barber Calvin Palmer that is forcing Hollywood to pay serious attention. “Barbershop 2: Back in Business” opens Friday.
Is “Barbershop” the biggest hit of your career?
I believe so. There’s “Boyz N The Hood,” which you can measure on box-office numbers or on people loving the movie whenever they see it. That’s what I measure it on.
What do fans talk to you about–movies or music?
It’s a mixture of both. I get people who love the “Friday” movies and those who love “Barbershop” or “The Three Kings.” I always say that the movie came out good if they want another one.
Will you do a “Barbershop” TV series?
I’m not going to be running it. I’ll probably be an executive producer, but it’s not going to be my show. I don’t want to do TV.
Who would you like to play Calvin on TV?
Man, I don’t know. That’s kind of MGM’s wishful thinking. That’s their dream. I just want to do good movies right now.
How did Calvin change from movie one to movie two?
He’s a little more focused–not so all over the place. In the first one, he’s looking to get rich quick, anything to help him, and he didn’t really care about the shop as much until he found out what it meant to the community. He’s at the point where he wants this shop to work and maybe even pass it down to his son, which is 20-something years away. Here he settles in for the long haul.
What did you want for the sequel?
The whole cast back, a good script and a movie that could stand on its own.
How did you enjoy working with Queen Latifah?
Very cool. I’ve been knowing her since ’92. So we’ve been kind of watching each other grow in music and watching each other grow on film. And having a chance to work together on a project like this is like she was the icing on the cake.
Did you improvise on the second movie?
We did a lot of improv in rehearsal. We got a lot of the kinks out, and then the script was set. Cedric is the one who always hits you with something new, and you’ve got to be ready because what he said two takes ago, he’s not going to say two takes from now. If you’re not ready, you’ll crack. So, everyone had to learn how to hold their laugh until someone said “cut.”
Was it true you were doing an album while shooting the movie?
Yeah. Leaving the set at about 7:30 at night and going into the studio until about 1 or 2. Then sleeping and going back on the film set.
