Hip-Hop legend Ice Cube is expanding his entertainment portfolio to television, signing on as head writer of a still unnamed buddy cop series for NBC.
The show is being produced by Cube’s Cube Vision company, and NBC chairman Ben Silverman expects the West Coast veteran to bring the same success he’s had in music and film to the network.
“As we continue to expand our roster of diverse talent both on-camera and behind the camera, a guy like Ice Cube, who’s multi-talented, is someone we really wanted to be in business with,” Silverman explained. “He’s had an amazing career, to have gone from NWA to this.”
Although Cube originally had no plans to appear in the series, NBC executives are pushing for him to bring his star power to the series in the form of guest appearances.
Also, the execs are hopeful the star’s extensive back catalog of classic, seminal Hip-Hop music can be utilized for the show’s opening credits, or possibly have Cube create a new song entirely.
“We really want to capture his voice and his eye for talent, and his producing acumen,” Silverman continued. “If he appeared in the pilot or series, we’d be really excited about that.”
Cube’s latest project marks a return to television, as the Compton native also executive produced the Showtime adaption of his hit film Barbershop, and FX’s Black. White.
Ice Cube returned to music this year with his well-received eighth studio album Raw Footage.
Powered by the singles “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It,” “Do Ya Thang,” and “Why Me,” the West Coast veteran is on pace to have his second consecutive best-selling independent Hip-Hop album of the year.
Earlier this month, Cube also excited the Hip-Hop world by agreeing to Scarface’s idea for a supergroup album including them and acclaimed Queens lyricist Nas.
At press time, NBC has confirmed Cube’s new series will be an hour long, but have not verified a series premier date.
