Biography of Ice Cube

Through his detailed, unflinching lyrical stance and his inventive phrasing, this former N.W.A. writer and rapper has become the finest mouthpiece gangsta-rap has produced. His posse, Da Lynch Mob, construct sonic backdrops that kick with the force of the best Public Enemy. Ice Cube is a controversial but major figure in contemporary pop, and has recently begun an acting career with films, including 1991's Boyz 'n the Hood. Ice Cube has arguably become rap's most controversial and widely known figure in the '90s. He's topped R&B, pop, and rap charts with his releases AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted, The Predator, and Lethal Injection. Cube has been the cover boy for every magazine from Vibe to The Source, and also joined the Nation of Islam. He currently ranks alongside Ice-T as perhaps the most feared personality in rap circles.Whispers abounded that marriage and his decision to join the Nation of Islam were responsible for Ice Cube's weakest CD as a solo act. Lethal Injection went platinum, but the rage was more unfocused, the rhymes less fluid and thoughtful and the rapping less striking than on any other Ice Cube session. While his interviews sounded just as fierce, the speculation abounds that Ice Cube may have peaked as a creative force in hip-hop. ~ John Floyd

Biography of WC

A long-time staple of the gangsta rap scene, WC began his career with the groups Low Profile and the Maad Circle before forming Westside Connection with Ice Cube and Mack 10. His solo debut, The Shadiest One, followed in 1998, landing in the pop Top 20 in its first week of release. "Better Days" and "Just Clownin'" were moderate R&B hits, and his second record, 2002's Ghetto Heisman, entered the pop charts as well. Ice Cube, Snoop Dogg, and the Game all made an appearance on his 2007 album Guilty by Affiliation. ~ Jason Ankeny

Biography of MC Ren

M.C. Ren (born Lorenzo Patterson) joined the list of NWA members gone solo in 1992 with Kizz My Black Azz. It peaked at number 12 and eventually went platinum despite being thoroughly unplayable on even the most underground radio station. The follow-up Shock of the Hour briefly topped the pop charts, but didn't have lasting power. On both releases, Ren has shown surprising facility and fluidity as a rapper, but the rhymes haven't been anything special though, nor the beats. MC Ren's third solo album, The Villain in Black, appeared in the spring of 1996; it disappeared from the charts shortly after its release. Ruthless for Life followed in 1998. ~ Ron Wynn