It's the summer of 1989. You're a fan of Los Angeles' most notorious rap group, N.W.A. You know their names: DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, Eazy E., MC Ren and Ice Cube. You watch their videos and attend their concerts. You know every lyric on their "Straight Outta Compton" album word-for-word.

Later that year, the news hits you like a ton of bricks. O'Shea Jackson, better known as Ice Cube, leaves N.W.A. You question the group's fate since its chief songwriter jumps ship. Will N.W.A. continue to legitimately vocalize the complexities of life as young Black males, or will their future albums cause fans to label them "soft?" You also wonder if Ice Cube will be successful on his own. Your doubts are erased in 1990 when you hear his debut solo album "Amerikkka's Most Wanted" blaring from every car radio, tape deck and house party. But, you still wonder what's next for the man who had been writing rhymes since the 10th grade.

Fast forward 14 years. With a string of critically acclaimed CDs ("The Predator," "Lethal Injection") and films ("Three Kings," his directorial debut "The Player's Club") catapulting him to Hollywood's A-List, it's clear that what Ice Cube learned in a technical college course still sticks with him today. The lesson is something the 34-year-old is quick to share with those who are too young to vote or drive, but old enough to understand its possible impacts on their futures. "You gotta start with a plan. When I was in school (Phoenix Institute of Technology), I took architectural drafting. And that taught me that everything starts with a plan. The biggest buildings in the world started with a plan. So, after you make your plan, figure out, ‘What's the easiest way for me to get where I'm trying to be, and what do I need to do to make it happen?

"So many people get a career, or get in this business, and don't know what they want to do next. They have no clue, and whatever comes along they jump at it without mapping out anything. And you can make a lot of mistakes that way." Cube also advises people with talent to have determination, recognize opportunities and seize the moment. When asked if he still dabbles in architecture, he winks, laughs and shakes his head. "Nah. Nah."

Nothing is further from the truth. This year alone, Cube is using his architectural knowledge to lend his onscreen and behind-the-scenes talents to at least four movie projects. In addition to his role as motorcycle gang leader Trey in last month's Warner Bros. film "Torque," Cube will reprise his role as Calvin in MGM's "Barbershop 2" this month. Set in a Chicago area barbershop, the sequel to the controversial 2002 comedy "Barbershop"co-stars Cedric "the Entertainer," Eve and Oscar nominee Queen Latifah. As the head of production company Cube Vision, Cube is currently working on "Are We There Yet," re-teaming him with "Boyz n the Hood" and "Friday" co-star Nia Long. When shooting for the comedy wraps, he says he will begin filming the sequel to the riveting action film "XXX" in July or August.

With such diverse movie genres under his belt, he says he doesn't prefer to do a certain type of film. "I like all kinds of movies anyway. As far as doing `em...anything–action, comedy, drama- I'm there because those are my favorite movies. I always just look for what's right." He says he has a responsibility to his supporters. "I don't want to start letting my audience down. I want people to know that when they see the Ice Cube name, it's going to be a movie that is worth your money and worth your time."

Despite his work onscreen, he still claims his rap roots. His last solo effort was the double-platinum "War & Peace Vol. 2, (The Peace Disc)," but he's still part of rap group Westside Connection. Dispelling rumors that proclaimed the trio's demise, he said, "We are trying to carve out some time for a tour." Known for somewhat continuing his brand of hard-edged lyrics as a Westside Connection member, he reflected on the importance of street credibility going hand-in-hand with his film efforts. "I think street credibility has, if not, run its course, or it's about to run out. Nowadays (people think) if you don't get shot nine or 10 times, and spend 30 years in jail, you can't rap no more. So, I think it's run its course. I think people know that, yeah, there's hard-core people out there – 10 times harder than Ice Cube – but they couldn't rap about it. Or they couldn't be a voice. So, it's about the talent. It's about what you bring to the table. Do you inspire people?"

Jevaillier Jefferson is a Los Angeles-based editorial consultant.