Ice-T Photography

An archetypal Renaissance Man, Ice-T first came to prominence in the burgeoning mid-1980s Los Angeles hip-hop scene and became one of the first rappers to fully embrace hard rock with his band Body Count in the early 1990s. Since then, he has also branched out into acting—most notably, a recurring role in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.

Ice-T’s first hit was the classic “6 in the Mornin’,” widely considered one of the first Gangsta Rap records. Known for his outspoken demeanor both on- and off-stage, Ice-T released hit albums such as Power and The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say! just as rap was reaching a worldwide audience. Ice-T held the respect of many of his contemporaries, and he collaborated with both hip-hop and rock musicians throughout the 1990s and 2000s.

As a pivotal figure from its early days, Ice-T has influenced multiple generations of rappers and devotees of hip-hop culture. Whether on stage or screen, Ice-T continues to demonstrate both a magnetic presence and personal integrity.