Plenty of viewers are discoveringIce Cube’sacting talent as his must-watch cult favorite comedy has become a streaming hit on Peacock. While many will know Ice Cube as a founding member of the hip-hop trio N.W.A., whose story was chronicled inthe biopicStraight Outta Compton, he’s also carved out an impressive second career as an actor.
As one of the most influentialgangsta rappersof all time,Ice Cube’s musical legacy helped shape West Coast hip-hop’s early identityas his lyrics pushed back against police brutality and oppression. Ice Cube broke into acting with John Singleton’scoming-of-age classicBoyz n the Hood, before showing off his funny side alongside Chris Tucker in a stoner sleeper hit.
Friday Is In Peacock’s Top 10
The 1995 Comedy Classic Has Found Renewed Success On Streaming
Fridayis the first in a trilogy of buddy comedies starring Ice Cubethat tells the story of the eternally unemployed Craig Jones and the outrageous dilemmas he continually finds himself in at the end of the working week. The originalFridaysaw Craig (Cube) and Smokey (Tucker) indebted to a drug dealer as their urban neighborhood falls into disarray.
With an original concept, plenty of laughs, and great performances, it’s no surprise that viewers have discovered the appeal ofFridayand turned it into a top 10 streaming hit on Peacock. As Craig and Smokey struggle to come up with the $200 they owe to a local bully, this low-stakes dilemma satirizes urban hardships and the trials of those living on the verge of poverty in crime-ridden areas.
Why You Should Watch Friday
Friday Is A Must-Watch 90s Classic
As a major release in understanding Ice Cube’s transition from hip-hop icon to family-friendly movie star,Fridaybridges the gap between the artist’s transgressive music and later mainstream comedies likeAre We There Yet?As a stepping stone between two worlds,Fridayshaped Ice Cube’s public image as a bankable movie star.
With constant laughs and plenty of 1990s’ nostalgia,Fridaywas the inception point for an entire franchise that included sequels likeNext Friday,Friday After Next, and even MTV2’sFriday: The Animated Series. With a final fourth film in the works, tentatively titledLast Friday(viaComplex), the film’s renewed attention on Peacock could help it finally get into production.
This cult classic not only reshaped Ice Cube’s entire career but also helped redefine what a Black-led comedy could be.
For many viewers,Fridayis a lot more than a simple stoner comedy. This cult classic not only reshaped Ice Cube’s entire career but also helped redefine what a Black-led comedy could be as it blended social commentary, authentic neighborhood dynamics, and satirical humor into a film that still resonates three decades later.
