Ice Cube shares five children with his wife, Kimberly Woodruff: O'Shea Jr., Darrell, Karima, Deja, and Shareef. While pop culture often miscounts his family size due to the high public profile of his eldest son, the legendary West Coast rapper and actor has maintained a tight-knit household for over three decades.
Unlike many stars in the hip-hop industry whose personal lives play out as tabloid fodder, Ice Cube (born O'Shea Jackson) and Kimberly have built a remarkably stable family since tying the knot in April 1992. Let's break down everything you need to know about each of the Jackson children, their careers, and how they grew up out of the harsh glare of constant media scrutiny.
Meet the Jackson Children: Names, Ages, and Backgrounds
The rapper's children span nearly a decade in age, bringing a diverse mix of creative pursuits and private career paths to the table. Here is the complete breakdown of Ice Cube's kids.
O'Shea Jackson Jr.
Born on February 24, 1991, O'Shea Jackson Jr. is the oldest of the siblings and by far the most famous. He attended William Howard Taft High School before studying screenwriting at the University of Southern California.
O'Shea Jr. made global headlines when he starred as his father in the hit 2015 biographical drama Straight Outta Compton. The resemblance is so striking that fans often joke he didn't even need makeup for the role. Beyond that breakout performance, he has built a legitimate Hollywood career with major credits in films like Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Ingrid Goes West, and Den of Thieves, as well as television appearances in Obi-Wan Kenobi. He also releases music under the moniker OMG and shares a daughter, Jordan Reign Jackson, born in 2017, making Ice Cube a grandfather.
Darrell Jackson
Born on December 3, 1992, Darrell Jackson is Ice Cube's second son. Like his father and older brother, Darrell gravitated toward the music industry. He pursued a career as a hip-hop artist under the stage name Doughboy—a playful nod to his dad's iconic character in John Singleton's 1991 film Boyz n the Hood. Darrell has collaborated on tracks with family members and signed with Lench Mob Records, the independent label founded by Ice Cube. Despite his ties to the industry, Darrell keeps a relatively low profile compared to his older brother.
Karima Jackson
Born on February 17, 1994, Karima Jackson is Ice Cube's oldest daughter. Unlike her older brothers, Karima chose a path away from entertainment studios and rap stages. She pursued higher education, earning degrees including a master's, and has focused on professional endeavors outside the public eye. She occasionally joins her father and brother O'Shea on red carpets, but she prefers to let her academic and professional work speak for itself.
Deja Jackson
Born also around 1994, Deja Jackson is one of Ice Cube's most private children. While media outlets occasionally confuse family details or mix up sibling timelines, Deja has consistently chosen to live completely out of the spotlight. She does not maintain a public-facing career in entertainment, and her parents have fiercely respected her desire for privacy over the years.
Shareef Jackson
Born on June 1, 2000, Shareef Jackson is the youngest child of the family. Growing up well after his father achieved massive rap and box-office success, Shareef has mostly stayed clear of the Hollywood lifestyle. He made a memorable public appearance alongside his father when Ice Cube received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2017, but he generally keeps his day-to-day life private.
Parenting Philosophy and Family Values
Ice Cube has frequently opened up in interviews about how fatherhood reshaped his perspective on life. In past conversations with media outlets like Access Hollywood, he noted that becoming a dad transformed him from a reckless youth into a grounded man.
The longevity of Ice Cube and Kimberly Woodruff's marriage is an anomaly in the entertainment world. Rather than raising kids in the middle of tabloid drama, the couple chose to raise their family in a stable environment away from relentless paparazzi. Even when O'Shea Jr. stepped into acting, his father offered guidance rather than micromanagement, helping him navigate the pressures of stepping into a very large shadow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ice Cube have any grandchildren?
Yes. His oldest son, O'Shea Jackson Jr., welcomed a daughter named Jordan Reign Jackson in August 2017, making Ice Cube a grandfather.
Are all of Ice Cube's children with the same partner?
Yes. All five children were born to Ice Cube and his wife, Kimberly Woodruff, whom he married in 1992.
Do any other children besides O'Shea Jr. act or rap?
Darrell Jackson has released music under the name Doughboy and worked with Lench Mob Records, but the rest of the siblings have pursued professional paths outside of the entertainment industry.
Why do some sources say Ice Cube only has four children?
Many older or poorly researched articles mistakenly list only four kids because the younger siblings—particularly Deja and Shareef—grew up entirely out of the public eye, leading casual pop-culture blogs to overlook them.
