It’s difficult not to think about Ice Cube without considering the Las Vegas Raiders. For decades, the renowned rapper, filmmaker, and cultural icon has represented the silver and black through Super Bowl victories, team moves, and dismal seasons.
But Ice Cube’s love of the Raiders was more about just proximity or fame. Like many fans, it began with a moment that seemed to signal fate.
Ice Cube Opens Up on Becoming a Fan of the Las Vegas Raiders
On a recent episode of “Games With Names,” Cube shared the story of how he first fell in love with the Raiders. And like any true fan story, it’s part nostalgia, part destiny.
“It was watching them in that 1980s season,” Cube said, recalling the year the Raiders went all the way. “I was able to really clock the game better than ever… The best colors in sports, the best logo in sports, best name. The Raiders, for a football team, is a great name. It all came together and they end up winning the Super Bowl… I locked in and I was like, ‘Yo, this my favorite team.’ A year or so later, found out they was coming to LA. I just lost my sh*t. I was like, ‘Damn man, I love this team.’”
That was all it took: a dominant season, a Super Bowl title, and a move to Cube’s backyard. From there, it wasn’t just admiration but a full-blown commitment. He didn’t just watch the Raiders, he lived them.
As a rising figure in hip-hop with N.W.A., Cube made the Raiders part of his identity. The group adopted the team’s black and silver gear as their unofficial uniform, projecting power, edge, and defiance in every album cover and music video. The Raiders weren’t just a football team anymore. They became a symbol of toughness, swagger, and West Coast pride.
Cube’s Involvement With the Raiders Community Goes Beyond Being a Fan
A few years later, Cube directed the powerful ESPN “30 for 30” documentary “Straight Outta L.A.,” which examined the deep connection between the Raiders and Los Angeles during that era. More than just a sports story, Cube captured the cultural movement he helped shape from the inside.
Cube’s loyalty never wavered, even after the team’s move to Las Vegas. Whether he’s speaking passionately in interviews or cheering from the stands, his love for the Raiders has only deepened with time.
To Cube, being a Raiders fan goes beyond wins and losses; it’s about identity, roots, and staying true to what has always felt like home.