This iconic 90s rapper has announced an Okanagan show

One of the world’s most influential rappers is coming to the Okanagan.

Ice Cube is bringing his “Straight Into Canada” tour to Pentiction in February.

And no one could be more excited than Ara, morning show co-host on 103.1 Beach Radio and 80s music aficionado.

“He’s had a remarkable career since shooting to stardom with N.W.A. in the late 80s with “Straight Outta Compton,” Ara said. “This guy is one of the pioneers of Gangsta Rap music.”

Ice Cube went solo, has sold more than 10 million albums, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He’s an accomplished actor and movie producer too.

Most recently he joined rappers Snoop Dogg, E-40, and Too Short to form supergroup Mt. Westmore.

Ara has vivid memories of Ice Cube’s huge breakthrough moment.

“At the beginning of the school year in 1988, a kid at high school was handing out these cassettes in the halls,” he explained. “He’d taped about 50 off a master and was giving them out like candy. I had no idea who N.W.A. was until I popped the tape in my Walkman at home and heard Ice Cube blasting out of the speakers on the title track. I learned a lot about Gangsta Rap music that day pretty quick.

“I’d heard Ice T on the Colors movie soundtrack the year before, but this was next level. Lucky for me, I Iistened with headphones in my room because my parents would have tossed the tape had they heard what was on it!”

Ice Cube is headed to the South Okanagan Events Centre Feb.21.