From Billboard:
The Chicago Police Department apologized yesterday (July 22) for issuing a community alert that described a man suspected in a series of sexual assaults as resembling hip-hop artist and actor Ice Cube.
Police are searching for a man who sexually assaulted three women in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood, a trendy area on the city's North Side. A police alert released Sunday described the man as a black male in his mid-20s who "resembles the popular rap artist 'Ice Cube.'"
On top of which, the local CBS affiliate actually ran a clip of Ice Cube with their alert.
On top of which, Cube is currently filming the sequel to Barbershop, which was the best movie of 2002, and some of his crew are in Chicago (where the movie is set) seeing this nonsense.
In my hood, the police would more likely have to put out an alert for someone who looks like Billy Bob Thornton. I don't think he'd appreciate much either.
In praise of his high restraint, Ice Cube making any kind of harsh reaction. If he were WANTING something to bitch about, this would be more than legitimate. This reaction shows great maturity and personal growth from the guy who made his name with NWA.
He's got bigger fish to fry, though. His only reaction was a statement from a spokesperson, "That his good name ever came up in association with the events currently taking place in Chicago's Wicker Park area is damaging to Ice Cube as a father, husband and artist."
Article comments
1 - Eric Olsen
Hey Al, look on the front page, two doors down from this post.
2 - Al Barger
Ah. I missed it. Yet again I am the goat. Bad AlBot. No biscuit.
3 - Eric Olsen
At least it wasn't ONE door down
4 - Aaron
Look, I like Ice Cube as a rapper and think he is one of the more underrated actors out there, but damaging to his good name? You mean "Fuck the police, comin' straight out of Compton, crazy muthafucka named Ice Cube", that good name?
I'm in no way excusing the whole incident - what a stupid thing to do - but really, Ice has made quite a career out of having a "bad" name.
5 - Al Barger
Backup there Aaron, Ice Cube has never to my knowledge had a history of violence. At worst, he has made records with some anger and violence.
That is not the same thing AT ALL. Johnny Cash has made numerous records about murdering people. You didn't see HIS picture being used for a mug shot.
Further, Ice Cube has impressively matured as an artist and a human being. He started with a chip on his shoulder- perfectly understandable for a black kid from Compton. As he has aged, however, he's become more thoughtful and less accusatory.
Jebus Criminy, how would you like to see YOUR picture used as the official point of reference for some unknown serial rapist? Most likely MY reaction would be considerably more SHITTY than Cube's measured response.
6 - Michael
Aaron, while you could surely find many flaws in Cube's (other) lyrics, F*ck tha Police was a pretty accurate portrayal of the attitude towards the cops by minorities in L.A. Take it from someone who's been pulled over & searched numerous times in the early 90's b/c I didn't 'match my car'. (read as "it's inconceivable for a young Black male to drive a new car without being a criminal") Mind you this song was released in 1988 and preceded the Rodney King, Amado Diallo, and Abner Louima incidents.
7 - mike
Al: I hate when you start talking sense like this. Where's the yelping little AlBot who chases Nim Chimsky across the kitchen floor?
8 - Al Barger
Drat that Nim Chimsky! I'll get him yet!!!
9 - Aaron
Uh, I thought I was pretty clear that that I thought this was a totally shitty thing to happen. Regardless of whether or not Fuck Tha Police accurately reflected the attitudes of minorities towards cops - I'm sure it did, justifiably - my point was that Ice Cube has never tried to cultivate a squeaky clean image. I never said he was a violent person. And as for his acting, I thought I was pretty clear on where I stood on that, too. (Not trying to start a fight here, I just think you misunderstood my point.)
Again, I'm in no way condoning the incident.
10 - CELEBRITY FASHION
celebrity fashion : From Rap to Rock to Pop, all of the hottest stars are wearing Beverly Hills Pimps and Hos.
(Rapper Jay Z, Singer Chris Cornell of Audioslave, Pop Star Justin Timberlake)
Celebrity Actors
The hottest actors and actresses are wearing Beverly Hills Pimps and Hos.
Baywatch's Carmen Electra Vin Diesel from Fast And The Furious Tara Reid from American Pie.
Went shopping in Omotesando Saturday - made sure to hit the Bathing Ape store this time. Bathing Ape is a brand of street wear (kind of like Fubu in a way) that is incredibly popular right now. I had even seen references to it while in the States (GQ for example included it in an article they had on Japanese fashion).
.
11 - URBAN APPAREL
celebrity fashion : From Rap to Rock to Pop, all of the hottest stars are wearing Beverly Hills Pimps and Hos.
(Rapper Jay Z, Singer Chris Cornell of Audioslave, Pop Star Justin Timberlake)
Celebrity Actors
The hottest actors and actresses are wearing Beverly Hills Pimps and Hos.
Baywatch's Carmen Electra Vin Diesel from Fast And The Furious Tara Reid from American Pie.
Went shopping in Omotesando Saturday - made sure to hit the Bathing Ape store this time. Bathing Ape is a brand of street wear (kind of like Fubu in a way) that is incredibly popular right now. I had even seen references to it while in the States (GQ for example included it in an article they had on Japanese fashion).
.
12 - Dwaine AKA Scooter AKA D.J.
Who cares about celebrity fashion? I could care less what these celeb fucks wear. This is the real world.