Ice Cube: From Barbershop to Bikes

One of the first gangsta rappers is really a teddy bear in person. Busy media mogul Producer/rapper/director/actor Ice Cube has Barbershop 2 coming out and his production company Cube Vision is in production on Are We There Yet starring Nia Long. The sequel to XXX is also in Cube's future. This Friday, the talented performer co-stars as the tuff leader of a biker gang in the motorcycle actioner Torque directed by stylish music video director Joseph Kahn.

Cube was warm, funny and friendly last weekend when we spoke with him in L. A.'s Century City. Wearing a brown tee-shirt and tasteful bling bling (diamond stud earring, diamond bracelet and matching platinum necklace) the star told us his advice for teens, about the fun of being in the very physically-demanding new film, playing a tuff guy and about his many film and musical projects so....catch up with the "Cube".

TeenHollywood: A lot of teenagers look up to you. What kind of advice would you give to those who would aspire to build an empire like yours?

Cube: You've got to start with a plan. When I was in school, I took architectural drafting and that taught me that everything starts with a plan – the biggest buildings in the world start with a plan. So, you've got to start with a plan and figure out what's the easiest way for me to get where I'm trying to get and what do I need to do to make it happen. Things put you on a path. So many people get a career or get in this business and don't know what they want to do next. They have no clue. Whatever comes along, they jump at it without mapping it out and you can make a lot of mistakes that way. So, I would say start off with a plan and figure out how you can execute that plan. You've got to have the determination and the talent. Watch for the opportunities and seize the moment.

TeenHollywood: Your films are varied. Hood-style urban films and now more action. Which do you like the best?

Cube: I like all kinds of movies just anyway. As far as doing them, anything action, comedy, drama - I'm there. Those are my favorite types of movies. I always just look for what's right for me. There are only a few good movies out there being made this year. It's all about trying to get yourself to be a part of it. If you miss out, then you do the 'okay' movies this year. I don't want to start letting the audience down. I want people to know that when they see the Ice Cube name that it's a movie that's going to be worth your money and worth your time.

TeenHollywood: Do you get into a different mindset for an action movie than for a comedy?

Cube: Yeah, I try to start kind of getting physical, you know what I mean? I start playing basketball, push-up's and just get my body ready for physical-type work.

TeenHollywood: You're very angry in this movie...

Cube: Yeah (laughs) I've got an edge on me in this one. But who wouldn't? You're the leader of a motorcycle gang and somebody killed your brother, you know what I mean? I think you got to be extremely pissed to pull it off.

TeenHollywood: You said - "F*** tha' police" in the film - that's very big because of the song. Did you do that on your own or was that written?

Cube: No, Joseph (Kahn, the director) kept asking me - he was like, 'Have you ever said that in a movie?' I said, 'Nah, nah.' He kept saying, 'All right, then, I want to be the first, then! You're going to say it, you're going to say it.' No problem, no problem - I can say it good!

TeenHollywood: How'd you like all the motorcycle riding?

Cube: I loved it. I loved it. I'm glad I did it because it made me a better rider. It made me understand all the little tricks of the trade and to be able to not get 'road rash.' Nobody wants road rash.

TeenHollywood: So you had ridden bikes before you took on this project?

Cube: Sporadically, nothing hardcore. Your buddy comes around on his motorcycle and you just jump on it and drive around the corner a couple of times and bring it back. With this I got a chance...I don't want to fall, you know what I mean? Every time I get on one I'm like, 'yeah, I got a lot to live for, I got a lot to live for'. Going through the training just made me feel more confident.

TeenHollywood: Were there any scenes in the film edited out that you wish were still in?

Cube: No. He (director) used all the good parts. He could've used a couple more close-ups of me, (laughter) but for the most part, he did a good job and got everything he wanted.

TeenHollywood: How do you prepare mentally for all of your roles?

Cube: It's different, you know? It's all about where the dude is coming from. I try to stay out of the way a little bit. I always put my inner feelings in the way of what my character would be thinking or what he would be doing. I try to vary a little bit and not give you the same look every time and just do different things.

TeenHollywood: There will be some comparisons between this and Biker Boyz. Can you compare?

Cube: I didn't see Biker Boyz, so I don't know. I just know, having Joseph Kahn as a director, our movie is visually superior, I know that. I think that's what you want with this movie. You want a ride. This feels like a videogame as well as a movie. It's kind of smart, you got a little taste of a western on it and it winks at you because it doesn't take itself so seriously. It's everything you want in this kind of movie.

TeenHollywood: This film is full of stunts. Will the sequel to XXX also be stunt-packed?

Cube: Oh, yeah. With XXX, we're trying to triple the stunts that were in the first one. I love it. That's a movie you're making on a higher level when you can add stunts and action and choreograph the whole thing.

TeenHollywood: So you love doing that?

Cube: Yeah. That's what turns me on the most about everything that I do is the creative process in it. That's what gets my juices flowing. It's cool to watch this movie (Torque), but it's just as cool to make it and see all the people coming together to create these amazing things. I always want to be a part of it. Action movies at that level, when the director has every toy in the world to play with, I can't wait to work on that level.

TeenHollywood: Martin Henderson (who stars as Ford in the movie) says he accidentally hit you. What's your version of this little scuffle?

Cube: I'm still waiting to get him back. (laughs) He's been bragging about it...nah. That was his first thing. He was a rookie at movie fights, so sometimes learning all the choreographed moves is hard when you're first doing it because you're a little nervous. I just think he zigged when he should've zagged.

TeenHollywood: You're next taking on a family movie with Are We There Yet? Are you playing a father?

Cube: No, I'm playing a bachelor who is trying to get some from a single mother and her kids are my nightmare, you know what I mean? They want none of that. I offer to take them on a road trip. The mother's working in Vancouver and I'm offering to drive them up there to her. They try to sabotage the trip and I hate kids and I'm just trying to use them. I'm like, if they like me, then mama's got to like me. So, it's that whole little twist. It's kind of like a kid's comedy, but with me in it, it has that edge that I think it'll make everybody dig it. It's PG-13.

TeenHollywood: Are you touring with Westside Connection in support of the new album?

Cube: You know, we're trying to carve out some time but I'm not sure.

TeenHollywood: You don't have a song on the soundtrack for Torque. Why not?

Cube: I want to keep it separate. I'm trying to use this thing to gain an international audience as far as acting and I felt if I did a song on there it would just blur everything, sometimes it blurs everything. So, sometimes I shy away from it.

TeenHollywood: Street credibility used to be a big deal in rap. Not so much anymore. How do you feel about that?

Cube: I think, you know, street credibility has if not run its course, has run over the top. I think nowadays if you don't get shot nine or ten times or did thirty years in jail, you can't rap no more. I think people know that there's hardcore people out there ten times harder than Ice Cube, but they couldn't rap about it or they couldn't be a voice for anybody. It's all about talent nowadays. It's all about what do you bring to the table. Do you entertain people? Do you inspire people? If you do, then there's a place for you. If you don't, you're a flash in the pan.

TeenHollywood: You've been a positive influence on a lot of young people. Many of them see that they can direct or write or act and produce as well as sing. It's good that you show them other outlets.

Cube: You know, a cameraman told me one time, you know, he said, 'I film tomorrow. They come and they go, but I'm still here. I've been here for thirty years.' So, there's room for you everywhere out here not only in front of cameras, but behind cameras, you know? Find your place, find your way, find your talent.

TeenHollywood: How do you want to be remembered?

Cube: (He thinks a long time). How do I want to be remembered.? Just as a person who seized the opportunities in front of him and made a way for himself.

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Lynn Barker is a Hollywood-based entertainment journalist and produced screenwriter.