Discovering Ice Cube’s Four Children: O’Shea Jr., Darrell, Kareema, and Shareef
Ice Cube, the renowned rapper and actor born as O’Shea Jackson in Los Angeles, has been profoundly influenced by his four children – O’Shea Jr., Darrell, Kareema, and Shareef.
In the early ’90s, Ice Cube became a father for the first time when his then-girlfriend, Kimberly Woodruff, gave birth to their son O’Shea Jr. Taking on the responsibilities of parenthood marked a transformative moment in his life, shaping him from a young man into a mature individual who began to understand the true priorities of life.
Over the next decade, Ice Cube and Woodruff solidified their commitment through marriage and extended their family with three more children. Although the rapper humorously suggests that fatherhood made him less “cool,” he couldn’t be prouder of the fine individuals his children have grown into.
In his words, “They give you a reason to try harder. They make you focus in life on what you’re trying to build. If you’re trying to build a family, children are the glue,” as he stated in 2007.
While his children are now grown, he aspires that the foundation he established will guide them towards successful lives and that they will seize every opportunity that comes their way.
Here is everything you need to know about Ice Cube’s children: O’Shea Jr., Darrell, Kareema, and Shareef.
O’Shea Jackson Jr., 32
Born on February 24, 1991, O’Shea Jackson Jr. is the first child of Ice Cube and Kimberly Woodruff. He was named after his father, although he didn’t always appreciate his unique name during his younger years. It wasn’t until he reached his teenage years that he began to value the distinctiveness of his name.
After graduating from William Howard Taft High School in 2009, O’Shea enrolled at the University of Southern California, where he initially pursued screenwriting. However, he later decided to drop out to embark on his acting career. He hasn’t ruled out the possibility of returning to campus, as he acknowledges the role that USC played in nurturing his passion for cinema.
O’Shea also ventured into a music career under the name OMG, collaborating with his father on various songs, including “Y’all Know How I Am” from Ice Cube’s 2010 album, “I Am the West.” In 2012, O’Shea released his own mixtape, “Jackin’ for Beats.”
O’Shea’s breakthrough came with his role in “Straight Outta Compton,” a film based on his father’s career. Despite his familial connection to the subject matter, he had to audition rigorously to secure the role.
Since “Straight Outta Compton,” O’Shea has expanded his acting portfolio with roles in movies like “Ingrid Goes West,” “Den of Thieves,” “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” and the recent “Cocaine Bear.” He has also made a name for himself in television through appearances in shows like “The Now,” “Swagger,” and the Star Wars miniseries “Obi-Wan Kenobi.” Currently, he is involved in upcoming projects like “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” and “American Sole.”
O’Shea proudly acknowledges his “nepo baby” status, viewing it as a badge of honor and expressing gratitude for the opportunities his father’s legacy has provided. He considers Ice Cube his hero and coach, while recognizing the importance of walking through the open doors of opportunity.
In his personal life, O’Shea welcomed his daughter, Jordan Reign, in August 2017. Fatherhood has motivated him to operate on a different level, emphasizing a new sense of purpose.
Darrell Jackson, 30
Darrell Jackson, the second son of Ice Cube and Kimberly Woodruff, was born on December 3, 1992. Darrell, like his father, has pursued a career in music, performing under the name Doughboy, inspired by Ice Cube’s character in “Boyz n the Hood” (1991). He has collaborated with his father and brother O’Shea on various songs and has also worked with Ice Cube’s Lench Mob Records.
Additionally, Darrell is involved with Cube Vision, his father’s film and television production company. He served as an associate producer on “Straight Outta Compton” and plays a part in Big 3, a 3-on-3 pro basketball league founded by Ice Cube. In November 2022, Darrell married his wife, Janet.
Kareema Jackson, 29
Kareema, Ice Cube and Kimberly Woodruff’s daughter, was born on February 17, 1994. While Kareema has largely remained out of the public eye, she has occasionally accompanied her father on red carpets at movie premieres and awards ceremonies.
According to her Instagram account, Kareema graduated from high school in 2012, and her parents marked the occasion by gifting her a new car. Although her Instagram has not been updated for several years, it contains photos of her attending L.A. Kings hockey games and visits to various theme parks. In May 2022, Kareema was spotted supporting her brother O’Shea at an “Obi-Wan Kenobi” screening during the annual Star Wars Celebration.
Shareef Jackson, 23
Ice Cube and Kimberly Woodruff’s youngest son, Shareef, was born on June 1, 2000. Shareef has primarily stayed out of the public spotlight and has made rare appearances.
Shareef appears to be a sports enthusiast and has accompanied his father to various football, basketball, and baseball games over the years. He also joined his family to celebrate Ice Cube receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017. In February 2022, he was seen accompanying his father to meet race car driver Joey Logano.
Ice Cube’s four children have undoubtedly played a significant role in his life and continue to make their mark in various ways, following in the footsteps of their accomplished father.
