Credit : Albert L. Ortega/Getty
Ice Cube’s quartet of offspring, O’Shea Jr., Darrell, Kareema, and Shareef, have shaped his world in profound ways. Born O’Shea Jackson in Los Angeles, the rapper and actor embraced fatherhood in the early 1990s when he and longtime partner Kimberly Woodruff welcomed their first child, O’Shea Jr.
Reflecting on his transformation through fatherhood, Ice Cube once told Access Hollywood that becoming a dad turned him “from a boy into a man.” He credited his children for helping him stay focused and motivated. In 2007, he said, “They give you a reason to try harder. Children are the glue.”
Now grown, his children each carry part of his legacy forward in entertainment, music, and personal growth. Let’s explore who they are today.
O’Shea Jackson Jr., 34
Born February 24, 1991, in Los Angeles, O’Shea Jr. is Ice Cube’s eldest son. Though he initially disliked having a unique name, he later embraced it, telling The Late Late Show, “I realized how unique I was.”
After graduating from William Howard Taft High School, he studied screenwriting at the University of Southern California. This sparked his passion for film, eventually leading him into acting. He famously portrayed his father in the 2015 biopic Straight Outta Compton. Despite being Ice Cube’s son, O’Shea auditioned like everyone else and trained for two years.
Beyond acting, he performs as OMG and has collaborated with his father musically. His 2012 mixtape, Jackin’ for Beats, marked a personal milestone.
He’s appeared in films such as Ingrid Goes West, Den of Thieves, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, and Cocaine Bear. He also starred in the Star Wars miniseries Obi-Wan Kenobi. His upcoming roles include Den of Thieves 2: Pantera and American Sole.
To critics of nepotism, O’Shea embraces his background. On The Kelly Clarkson Show, he said, “You’re damn right I’m Ice Cube’s son. That’s my hero. The door can be open, but you have to walk through it.”
In 2017, O’Shea welcomed a daughter, Jordan Reign. “It gives you a new purpose in life,” he told Essence. “It makes you more calculated in how you represent your child.”
Darrell Jackson, 32
Darrell was born December 3, 1992. He pursued music under the name Doughboy, a tribute to his father’s role in Boyz n the Hood. He graduated from William Howard Taft High School in 2010.
Darrell has collaborated with his father and brother on tracks from Ice Cube’s 2008 album Raw Footage. He’s involved with Lench Mob Records and Cube Vision and contributed to Straight Outta Compton as an associate producer. He also supports Ice Cube’s BIG3 basketball league.
In November 2022, Darrell married Janet.
Kareema Jackson, 31
Kareema was born February 17, 1994. She prefers a private life but occasionally attends events with her father, such as film premieres and award shows.
Her Instagram reveals her high school graduation in 2012, which her parents celebrated with a new car. She’s also shared family memories at sports games and amusement parks. In May 2022, she attended the Obi-Wan Kenobi screening to support her brother.
Shareef Jackson, 25
The youngest, Shareef, was born June 1, 2000. He stays out of the public spotlight but often joins his father at football, basketball, and racing events.
Notable appearances include Ice Cube’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2017 and a NASCAR race event with Joey Logano in 2022.
Ice Cube on Fatherhood and Legacy
Ice Cube frequently shares advice with his children. “Always recognize opportunity,” he once said. “You either take it or you don’t. If you don’t, it might not come again. You have to take the initiative.”
Whether it’s O’Shea commanding the screen, Darrell making music, Kareema staying close to family, or Shareef quietly absorbing life, the Jackson children carry their father’s legacy with pride and purpose.
