Ice Cube’s son has entered the chat.
O’Shea Jackson Jr. — who made his film debut portraying his famous father in the crime drama “Straight Outta Compton” — joined the swarms of celebrity children responding to Vulture’s divisive “Year of the Nepo Baby” cover story, echoing the “strong work ethic” argument many have already made.
In a series of tweets on Tuesday, Jackson Jr., 31, explained it was his dad’s dream for his eldest son to “play him” in the 2015 biopic and said he was “already in college for screenwriting at USC” when the project got the green light.
“I accepted the challenge. And auditioned for two years before getting the role,” Jackson Jr. claimed.
“After that it was up to me, [my father] couldn’t hold my hand through my career. I had to get my ass up and make it work,” he insisted.
“From the roles I chose. The work ethic I put into them. My professionalism on sets and promo tours. Even leaving HIS agency and going to find a team of my own. Once the door was opened it was up to me to walk through it and thrive.”
Appearing to saddle both sides of the argument, Jackson Jr. made sure to note that “NONE” of the aforementioned would have been possible “without the love of [his] father” and “the work [Ice Cube] put in to get [his children] to a place of opportunity.”
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“For me to ignore that or not accept and use as a guide would be foolish and disrespectful. I am grateful and I use his teachings daily,” Jackson Jr. added.
He also pointed out that nepotism has “been happening for centuries” and feels it should be looked at as an opportunity to build an “empire,” not “a shadow for you to get out of.”
“Do not let anyone get it in your head that you should feel bad or your accomplishments are less than what they are,” he encouraged those who also come from “generational talent/wealth.”
“Bust your ass! Do the work! And leave something for your kids to do the same thing!” he added, sharing that his wish is for “everyone in this world to be able to present opportunities for their children to succeed.”
Ice Cube (real name O’Shea Jackson) is a legendary rapper and actor who is also dad to son Darrell, 29, daughter Karima, 28, and son Shareef, 27, whom he shares with wife Kimberly Woodruff.
The couple’s other daughter, Deja, died in 2020 at 27 following a medical emergency.
