O'Shea Jackson Sr., better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper, record producer, actor, screenwriter, film producer, and director. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined N.W.A. Monetary conflict with his bandmate Eric "Eazy-E" Wright and manager Jerry Heller caused him to embark on a solo rap career, leading to forays into acting, writing and directing.