Ice Cube, the iconic rapper and actor, born O’Shea Jackson, has often spoken about how his four children have profoundly shaped his life. Becoming a father in his early twenties shifted his perspective, turning him, as he told Access Hollywood, “from a boy into a man” and clarifying his life priorities. He and his wife, Kimberly Woodruff, built a family over the years, and despite joking about losing his “cool” factor after fatherhood, his pride in his children is evident. “They give you a reason to try harder,” he stated in 2007, emphasizing their role as “the glue” of his family. Now that his children are adults, Ice Cube hopes the values he instilled will guide them to successful futures, urging them to seize every opportunity.
Here’s a closer look at Ice Cube’s four children – O’Shea Jackson Jr., Darrell Jackson, Kareema Jackson, and Shareef Jackson – and their individual journeys.
O’Shea Jackson Jr., Age 33
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Born on February 24, 1991, in Los Angeles, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Ice Cube’s eldest son with Kimberly Woodruff, carries his father’s name. Initially, he wasn’t a fan of his name, especially when personalized items weren’t readily available for “O’Shea.” However, as he matured, he began to appreciate its uniqueness, as he mentioned on The Late Late Show in 2018.
After graduating from William Howard Taft High School in 2009, O’Shea pursued screenwriting at the University of Southern California. His passion for cinema led him to leave USC to pursue acting, though he humorously remarked to Entertainment Weekly in 2015 about eventually wanting to get his degree as a celebrity. Before fully committing to acting, O’Shea also explored music under the moniker OMG, collaborating with his father on tracks like “Y’all Know How I Am.”
O’Shea Jackson Jr. proudly acknowledges his ‘nepo baby’ status, viewing his father Ice Cube as his hero and inspiration.
His breakthrough role came in Straight Outta Compton, where he portrayed his father, Ice Cube. Despite his lineage, O’Shea underwent a rigorous audition process to secure the role, spending two years in acting classes. He explained to PEOPLE the necessity of authentically portraying his father and avoiding any misrepresentation.
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Since Straight Outta Compton, O’Shea has built a successful acting career, appearing in films like Ingrid Goes West, Den of Thieves, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Cocaine Bear. He has also ventured into television with roles in The Now, Swagger, and the Star Wars series Obi-Wan Kenobi. Currently, he is involved in upcoming projects such as Den of Thieves 2: Pantera and American Sole.
Addressing the “nepo baby” label, O’Shea embraces it, expressing gratitude for the opportunities his father’s hard work has provided. He told The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2023 that he sees it as “a badge of honor,” emphasizing his father’s influence as his “hero” and “coach.”
In his personal life, O’Shea became a father in August 2017 to his daughter, Jordan Reign. He shared with Essence how fatherhood has given him a “new purpose” and heightened his focus and determination in life.
Darrell Jackson, Age 32
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Born on December 3, 1992, Darrell Jackson is Ice Cube and Kimberly Woodruff’s second son. Like his older brother, Darrell is also a graduate of William Howard Taft High School, class of 2010.
Following in his father’s footsteps musically, Darrell performs under the name Doughboy, inspired by Ice Cube’s character in Boyz n the Hood. He has collaborated musically with both Ice Cube and O’Shea, including on tracks like “Y’all Know How I Am” and “Here He Come.”
According to his Instagram, Darrell is part of Ice Cube’s Lench Mob Records and Cube Vision, contributing as an associate producer on Straight Outta Compton. He is also involved with Big 3, Ice Cube’s 3-on-3 basketball league. In his personal life, Darrell married Janet in November 2022.
Kareema Jackson, Age 30
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Kareema Jackson, Ice Cube’s only daughter, was born on February 17, 1994. While she generally maintains a lower public profile compared to her brothers, she has been seen with her father at various movie premieres and award shows.
Kareema’s Instagram indicates her high school graduation in 2012, celebrated with a new car gifted by her parents. Her social media, though not recently updated, features interests in L.A. Kings hockey and amusement parks.
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More recently, Kareema supported her brother O’Shea at an Obi-Wan Kenobi screening during Star Wars Celebration in May 2022, showing her continued family support.
Shareef Jackson, Age 23
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The youngest of Ice Cube’s children, Shareef Jackson, was born on June 1, 2000. Shareef has largely remained out of the public eye, with only occasional public appearances.
Shareef is known to be a sports enthusiast, often seen with his father at football, basketball, and baseball games, as highlighted on Ice Cube’s Twitter. He also joined his family when Ice Cube received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017.
In February 2022, Shareef accompanied Ice Cube to meet NASCAR driver Joey Logano, demonstrating his continued presence alongside his father in various settings.
