Ice-T facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ice-T
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Ice-T in 2019
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Tracy Lauren Marrow
February 16, 1958 Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
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| Education | Crenshaw High School |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1982–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Coco Austin
(m. 2002) |
| Partner(s) | Darlene Ortiz (1984–2001) |
| Children | 3 |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Los Angeles, California |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Labels |
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Tracy Lauren Marrow (born February 16, 1958), known as Ice-T, is an American rapper and actor. He is famous for his work in both hip hop and heavy metal. Ice-T started his music journey as an underground rapper in the 1980s. He signed with Sire Records in 1987 and released his first album, Rhyme Pays.
The next year, he started his own record label, Rhyme $yndicate Records. He also released his album Power (1988), which sold over a million copies. Many of his other albums, like The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say! (1989) and O.G. Original Gangster (1991), also sold very well.
In 1990, Ice-T helped create the heavy metal band Body Count. He introduced the band on his O.G. Original Gangster album. Body Count released their first album in 1992. Ice-T continued to release solo albums and work with Body Count, who have released eight studio albums. Their latest album, Merciless, came out in 2024.
As an actor, Ice-T had small parts in movies like Breakin' (1984). His first big role was as police detective Scotty Appleton in New Jack City (1991). Since 2000, he has played Detective Odafin Tutuola on the TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. This role has made him one of the longest-running male actors in TV history. He also had a reality TV show called Ice Loves Coco (2011–2013) with his wife, Coco Austin.
Contents
Early Life and Growing Up
Tracy Lauren Marrow was born in Newark, New Jersey on February 16, 1958. His parents were Solomon and Alice Marrow. When Tracy was young, his family moved to Summit, New Jersey.
Tracy's mother passed away from a heart attack when he was in third grade. His father raised him alone for four years. When Tracy was thirteen, his father also passed away from a heart attack.
After his father's death, Tracy moved to View Park–Windsor Hills, California. He lived with his aunt and uncle in a nice neighborhood. Sharing a room with his cousin, who loved rock music, made Tracy interested in heavy metal music.
Ice-T's Music Career
Starting Out in Music (1980s)
After leaving the Army, Tracy wanted to avoid trouble and become a DJ. He chose the stage name Ice-T to honor a writer named Iceberg Slim. While DJing at parties, people noticed his rapping more, so he decided to become a rapper.
Ice-T released his first song, "Cold Wind Madness," in 1983. It was an electro hip-hop song that became popular even though radio stations didn't play it much because of its grown-up lyrics. In 1984, he was featured on the popular song "Reckless" from the movie Breakin'.
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Ice-T was inspired by Schoolly D's song "P.S.K. What Does It Mean?". He liked its sound and how it talked about gang life. Ice-T then wrote his first gangsta rap song, "6 in the Mornin'", in his apartment. This song was very different from other hip-hop songs at the time because of its strong lyrics.
Becoming a Star (1987–Present)
Ice-T signed with a big record label, Sire Records. In 1987, he released his first album, Rhyme Pays, which sold many copies. That same year, he recorded the theme song for the movie Colors, which was about gang life in Los Angeles.
His next album, Power, came out in 1988 under his own label, Rhyme Syndicate. It was very successful and earned him great reviews. In 1989, The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say! made him even more popular.
In 1991, Ice-T released O.G. Original Gangster. On this album, he introduced his heavy metal band Body Count. Ice-T toured with Body Count, which helped him reach new fans. He even won a Grammy Award for his work on a song called "Back on the Block" with jazz musician Quincy Jones.
Body Count's song "Cop Killer" caused a lot of discussion. Some government officials and police groups were very upset by the song. Because of this, Ice-T left his record label and released his next solo album, Home Invasion, with Priority Records. This album was also very popular.
Ice-T has also worked with other heavy metal bands like Slayer and Black Sabbath. His rap album Gangsta Rap was released in 2006. The album cover was considered too bold for many stores.
Ice-T continues to work on music. In 2017, Body Count released the album Bloodlust. In 2021, Body Count won a Grammy Award for "Best Metal Performance" for their song "Bum-Rush." In 2019, Ice-T released his first solo hip-hop song in 10 years, called "Feds in My Rearview."
Ice-T's Acting Career
TV Shows and Movies
Ice-T first appeared in films like Breakin' (1984) and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo (1984). He later said he thought his acting in these early films was "wack" (not good).
In 1991, he started a serious acting career. He played a police detective in New Jack City and a gang leader in Ricochet. He also had a main role in Surviving the Game (1994).
In 1995, Ice-T had a regular role on the TV show New York Undercover. His work on this show won him an award. Since 2000, he has been a main actor on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, playing Detective Odafin "Fin" Tutuola. He has won awards for this role too.
Ice-T has also hosted true crime shows like In Ice Cold Blood on the Oxygen channel. In 2020, he appeared on The Masked Dancer as "Disco Ball."
Voice Acting Roles
Ice-T has lent his voice to many video games. He voiced Madd Dogg in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas and Agent Cain in Sanity: Aiken's Artifact. He also voiced Aaron Griffin in Gears of War 3 and BALEX in Borderlands 3. In 2023, he voiced Mac in Payday 3.
Other Projects
Podcasting
In 2013, Ice-T started a podcast called Ice-T: Final Level with his friend Mick Benzo. They talk about current events, movies, video games, and share behind-the-scenes stories from Law & Order: SVU.
Reality Television
In 2006, Ice-T hosted Ice-T's Rap School on VH1. In this show, he taught eight teenagers from a New York school how to rap. The show ended with the group performing as an opening act for the famous rap group Public Enemy.
In 2011, the reality show Ice Loves Coco started on E! This show focused on Ice-T's life with his wife, Nicole "Coco" Austin.
Ice-T's Impact and Style
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Ice-T says that the writer Iceberg Slim and rapper Schoolly D influenced his music. He also loves heavy rock bands like Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath. His hip-hop albums helped create the style known as gangsta rap. Many later artists, like Tupac Shakur and Eminem, were influenced by his early songs like "6 in the Mornin'".
Ice-T started using guitars in his rap songs to make them sound stronger. He was inspired by groups like Beastie Boys and Run-DMC, who mixed rock and hip hop.
His band Body Count, which he called a "rock album with a rap mentality," helped open the door for other bands that mix rap and rock. However, Ice-T says Body Count is purely a rock band, not a mix of genres.
Ice-T has shared his favorite rap albums, which include:
- Beastie Boys, Licensed to Ill
- Eric B. & Rakim, Paid in Full
- N.W.A, Straight Outta Compton
- Wu-Tang Clan, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
- The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die
- Dr. Dre, The Chronic
- Boogie Down Productions, Criminal Minded
- Ultramagnetic MCs, Critical Beatdown
- Public Enemy, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
- Run-DMC, Run-DMC
Personal Life
Ice-T has three children. His first daughter, LeTesha Marrow, was born in 1976. In 1984, he met Darlene Ortiz, and they had a son, Ice Tracy Marrow Jr., in 1991. "Little Ice" now sings backup for Body Count.
In 2002, Ice-T married swimsuit model Nicole "Coco" Austin. They renewed their wedding vows in 2011. They own homes in New Jersey. In 2015, they had their first child together, a daughter.
Ice-T enjoys Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing. He is also a big fan of the UFC.
Speaking Out
Ice-T has often spoken about important issues. He was connected with the group Public Enemy, who also shared strong political views.
After the song "Cop Killer" caused a stir, Ice-T became a symbol for people who believe in free speech. He has given talks at universities about the right to speak freely. He has also spoken about how much money is spent on wars. Ice-T has said he wouldn't get involved in politics directly.
In his 1994 book, The Ice Opinion, he shared his thoughts on politics. He also signed a petition in 2017 to ask Congress for changes in the justice system.
Selected Music Albums
- Rhyme Pays (1987)
- Power (1988)
- The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say (1989)
- O.G. Original Gangster (1991)
- Home Invasion (1993)
- Ice-T VI: Return of the Real (1996)
- The Seventh Deadly Sin (1999)
- Gangsta Rap (2006)
Selected Body Count Albums
- Body Count (1992)
- Born Dead (1994)
- Violent Demise: The Last Days (1997)
- Murder 4 Hire (2006)
- Manslaughter (2014)
- Bloodlust (2017)
- Carnivore (2020)
- Merciless (2024)
Awards and Recognitions
Ice-T has won several awards for his music and acting.
Grammy Awards
- 1991: Won for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group ("Back on the Block")
- 2021: Won for Best Metal Performance ("Bum-Rush")
Image Awards
- 1996: Won for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (New York Undercover)
- 2002: Won for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit)
Images for kids
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Ice-T in 2019
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Ice-T released early electro songs, including "Reckless" (pictured), before making gangsta rap.
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Ice-T performing with Body Count in 2006.
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Ice-T with Christopher Meloni filming Law & Order: SVU in New York City, 2008.
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Ice-T at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival.
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Ice-T performing with Body Count in 2018.
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Ice-T with his wife Coco Austin.
See also
In Spanish: Ice T para niños
