and being one of the founding artists for gangsta rap.
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Thats what they said youre philosophical about your career choices.
So, how do you choose a film and why22 Jump Street?
You just want to be a part of good movies.
Ive worked with Neal Moritz onTorqueandXXX.
Well take care of you.
I felt like I was in good hands.
It was a good ride.
People didnt expect me to be Captain Dickson.
They loved the part.
They loved the movie; so yeah, why not do it again?
Did you ever expect to score so well at comedies?
Ive always loved comedies.
Ive always been drawn to funny people.
People dont realize how many comedians there are in the neighborhood.
All neighborhoods are full of them, from uncles to friends to cousins.
Making each other laugh is a way to cope with some of the other stuff that is going on.
Dark sense of humor, all that stuff.
So, I knew I had a sense a humor and I knew what was funny.
You get one take.
Its a nice buffet set-up.
The DP is there and you get one like, Okay, where you gonna move to?
(laughs) Tossin shit and pushin it.
I just wanted stuff to rain and kinda be all over the place.
Theres a part they cut out where I actually shoot the turkey.
(Laughs) You might see that on the DVD.
They get mad because we get paid a whole lot way more than they get paid.
Its Hollywood, its fine.
When we was young, we played cops and robbers, you know what I mean?
Its no big deal.
And to be honest, if you really listen to those records, those records are about bad cops.
Those records are about cops that abuse their authority.
If you really want to be a movie star you shouldnt typecast yourself.
Its like, youve got to grow up and put everything in perspective, and continue moving forward.
I imagine most younger cops now probably say N.W.A.
is their favorite group, anyway.
A lot of those cops love music.
We got ran off the stage in Detroit in 1989 by some undercover cops.
We had problems; we couldnt sing Fuck Da Police.
Explosions and shit were going on.
We run off stage.
Some guys run out the arena to the hotel.
She loves Eazy-E. Its just very ironic.
What are you reflecting on and thinking about these days?
Me, I still feel young, so, what that calendar sayit dont matter to me.
Its all about how I feel.
I just really stopped paying attention to em.
(Laughs)
Do you feel these days youre better?
Youre a rapper, writer, actor, producer.
What do you say you do the best?
I feel like I write the best, and produce.
Im still trying to get better at everything, you know.
What is the up to the minute report on if theres going to be anotherFriday, with everybody?
Yeah man, you know, Ive been trying to put this movie together for what seems like decades.
I remember the announcement that everybody was coming together.
Everybody wants to do it.
Time Warner is saying, Well make it for this much.
New Line is saying, We need this much.
What about the N.W.A.
We start in August.
Weve got a director, F. Gary Gray at Universal Pictures.
It should be top notch.
I look up to people like Russell Simmons.
Hes, to me, the reason hip-hop is where it is.
Hes a smart, smart guy.
Hes shown us how to monetize this music and turn it into a career.
People dont give him the credit he deserves as far as being the true, true Godfather of hip-hop.
He probably didnt start it, but he made it into a business.
He turned it into a industry.
Him and Rick Ruben.
Its people like that.
People like my pops.
He was very inspirational, because a lot of men gave up when they could.
He had four kids living in South Central, Los Angeles.
Keep us all out of jail, out of gang-bangin, out of dope dealing.
He kept us as respectable men.
Id rather fight with the kids in the street than deal with my pops.
venture to get me to do what?
Shit, Mr. Jackson dont play.
These are people that I know, that I really still look up to.
What are you outlooks on hip-hop today?
Its survived in the Internet age, which has fragmented music, and music is free now.
Escapism rap is the leading selling form right now.
You think we will?
Yeah, you know, I think we will.
When you hit the bottom, there is only one place to go.
What was that like?
Weve been around a long time.
I know damn near everybody in hip-hop.
And its cool, its cool.
I read that youre working on an album?
What do you find yourself writing about and rapping about these days?
The record is talking about that.
I have a song about the youngsters that are really into popping the pills.
But youve got to deliver it in a way that is not preachy.
Its still got to be hardcore hip-hop.
Give people the medicine that is cloaked in candy.
Are there particular young artists that you are a big fan of right now, in hip-hop?
To be honest, not really.
Theres nobody out there.
Im just too into my stuff to kind of be that kind of fan anymore.
Do you have anything to say or do about the soundtrack for22 Jump Street?
They got it in there.
Itll be out there this summer.
Jonah said his favorite record of all time was Today Was A Good Day, right?
Yeah, he told me that too.
and the theory that is was a real day; I thought it was a real day.
Whats a good day for Cube these days?
Bring me no bad news, thats a good day.
Im a simple man.
Thats when I have the most enjoyment, when Im creating.
Thats what gets my juices goin.
My wife says, she cooks but she doesnt eat a lot.
Im like, You cooked this meal; why didnt you eat?
Thats kind of how I am.
Youve done so much.
Is there something that you want to do that you havent done yet?
Is there something on your list you have to check off?
I want to do more dramas.
Thats where I want to get my company and then start branching out and doing things.
…Right now everybody, when I have a meeting, they want me to do a comedy.
Its like, What you good for?
Weve done that special effects shit, wheres the comedy?
You do comedy, your comedies work, your comedies make a lot of money.
You want to make a lot of money?
Give us a comedy.
You probably had to convince people you could do a comedy, and now
Exactly.
When I pitchedFridayto a few people they were just like, Friday, really?
Youve got to sometimes bring people alongthey slow.
And even then you have to tell them what they want.
They need everybody else to tell them, This is the movie you should make.
Even withFriday, they arent making it.
The masses definitely chimed in.
Shit, I hear it every day.
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