Vanilla Ice facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Vanilla Ice
Vanilla Ice in 2010
Background information
Birth name	Robert Matthew Van Winkle
Born	(1967-10-31) October 31, 1967 (age 57) Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Origin	Dallas, Texas, U.S. Miami, Florida, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop rap rock nu metal rap metal
Occupation(s)	Rapper actor record producer singer television host
Years active	1985–present
Labels	Ichiban SBK EMI Republic Universal Liquid 8 Ultrax Cleopatra Radium Psychopathic

Robert Matthew Van Winkle (born October 31, 1967), known as Vanilla Ice, is an American rapper, actor, and TV host. He was born in Dallas, Texas, and grew up in Texas and South Florida.

Ice released his first album, Hooked, in 1989. He then signed with SBK Records, which re-released the album in 1990 as To the Extreme. This album became the fastest-selling hip hop album ever. It included his famous songs "Ice Ice Baby" and a cover of "Play That Funky Music". "Ice Ice Baby" was the first hip hop song to reach number one on the Billboard charts. It helped introduce hip hop music to many new listeners.

Even though he was very successful, Ice later felt unhappy with his deals with SBK. He felt they made him change his look to be more popular. They also shared made-up stories about his life without him knowing. After this, his popularity changed. Later, in 2009, Ice started hosting The Vanilla Ice Project on DIY Network, a show about home renovation.

Early Life and Beginnings

Robert Matthew Van Winkle was born in Dallas, Texas, on October 31, 1967. He never knew his biological father. He was given the last name of the man his mother was married to at the time. When he was four, his mother divorced. He then moved between Dallas and Miami, where his stepfather worked.

Vanilla Ice loved hip hop from a young age. He said it was a big passion because he loved poetry. When he was 13 or 14, he practiced breakdancing. His friends started calling him "Vanilla" because he was the only white person in the group. He didn't like the name at first, but it stayed.

Soon after, he started rapping at parties. His friends then called him "MC Vanilla." When he joined a breakdance group, his stage name became "Vanilla Ice." This combined "Vanilla" with one of his breakdance moves, "The Ice."

When Ice's stepfather got a better job, they moved back to Carrollton, Texas. When Ice wasn't learning to ride motorbikes, he was dancing with his breakdancing group, The Vanilla Ice Posse. He wrote "Ice Ice Baby" when he was 16. The song was based on a weekend he spent with his friend D-Shay in South Florida.

Music Career Highlights

Starting Out (1985–1989)

In 1985, Vanilla Ice focused on motocross, winning three championships. After breaking his ankle, he took a break from racing. He used this time to improve his dance moves. He also performed as a street artist with his friends.

One night, he visited a nightclub in Dallas. His friend dared him to perform on stage. He impressed the crowd and was asked to perform regularly. He performed with his DJ D-Shay and other friends. The Vanilla Ice Posse also performed with him. He opened shows for famous groups like N.W.A and Public Enemy.

In 1987, Ice signed a contract with Tommy Quon, the club owner. Two years later, Ice opened for other artists on the Stop the Violence Tour. Quon saw that Ice had potential. They recorded songs that Ice had performed on stage. These songs were released by Ichiban Records in 1989.

"Play That Funky Music" was the first song released from the album. "Ice Ice Baby" was on the other side of the record. Quon sent the song to radio stations, but it wasn't played much at first. Then, a DJ in Georgia played "Ice Ice Baby" instead. The song quickly became popular. Quon paid for a music video for "Ice Ice Baby," which was played a lot on TV. This made the song even more popular.

After "Ice Ice Baby" became a hit, a record producer named Suge Knight approached Ice. Knight wanted Ice to sign over the rights to his song. Ice said Knight threatened him to get him to sign. Knight later used Ice's money to help start Death Row Records.

Becoming a Star (1990–1993)

In 1990, Vanilla Ice signed with SBK Records. SBK re-released his album Hooked as To the Extreme. They changed the album's look and some of the music. Ice said SBK paid him to look more mainstream. He later regretted these business choices.

To the Extreme became the fastest-selling hip hop album ever. It stayed at number one on the Billboard 200 chart for sixteen weeks. It sold eleven million copies. SBK wanted Ice to tour right away. MC Hammer, who Ice knew from his club days, had Ice open for him on tour.

In late 1990, Ice dated Madonna for eight months. In 1991, he was a musical guest on Saturday Night Live. Ice also appeared in the movie Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. He called it "one of the coolest experiences" of his career.

SBK created a fake biography about Ice without his knowledge. It contained false information about his life. Ice had to correct these stories himself while on tour.

Ice's next album was Extremely Live, released in March 1991. It was recorded during his tour in Miami. The album reached #30 on the Billboard 200. However, many reviews were negative. In April 1991, Ice started filming the movie Cool as Ice, where he played the main role.

Cool as Ice was released in October 1991. It did not do well at the box office. Reviews for the film were mostly negative. Ice even received a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst New Star. After this, Ice decided to stop taking business advice from SBK. He wanted to distance himself from the image they created for him.

Even though his fame in the U.S. dropped, Ice continued to tour in 1992. He played in South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. He also introduced new songs. In 1993, he toured Eastern Europe and performed for President Boris Yeltsin in St. Petersburg, Russia.

New Directions (1994–2009)

After touring for three years, Ice took a break in 1993. He started competing in jet skiing and went back to Motocross racing. By 1994, Ice was less in the public eye. He became interested in the Rastafari movement, became a vegetarian, and grew dreadlocks.

On March 22, 1994, Ice released his second studio album, Mind Blowin'. Reviews for this album were also not good. After touring for Mind Blowin overseas in 1995, Ice sold his home in California. He took another break from music to focus on motocross and jet skiing in Florida. He became the world's No. 6-ranked sit-down jet ski racer.

Unsure about his music career, Ice studied real estate. He started renovating and selling houses. In late 1995, he built a recording studio in Miami. He joined a grunge band called Pickin Scabz. The name reflected his career and how he was recovering. In 1996, he signed with Universal Republic Records.

Ice later became friends with producer Ross Robinson, known for working with rock bands. Robinson agreed to produce a new album for Ice. Ice decided to keep his stage name, Vanilla Ice, because he didn't want to hide from his past. He started performing again, doing many shows each year.

Ice's third studio album, Hard to Swallow, had a darker sound. It mixed hip hop and hard rock. This album attracted a new audience. Reviews were generally negative, but some critics found it to be his "most convincing music." Ice said writing these songs was like therapy for him.

In 1999, MTV asked Vanilla Ice to "retire" the music video for "Ice Ice Baby." They wanted him to destroy the master tape on a special show. Ice ended up destroying the entire set! In 2001, a remixed version of "Ice Ice Baby" was released in Europe. This brought new interest in Vanilla Ice overseas.

Ice started recording music independently. He also collaborated with the hard rock band Betty Blowtorch. In October 2000, Ice announced his next album, Skabz. It was planned as a double album with rock and hip hop songs. In July 2001, Ice performed at the Gathering of the Juggalos. On October 23, 2001, Skabz and Bomb Tha System were released together as Bi-Polar.

From 2002 to 2004, Ice appeared in various reality TV shows. He also returned to motocross. He competed in the 2002 X Games and placed seventh in a 2003 challenge. He told Sports Illustrated that the track "is where I'm happiest."

On August 2, 2005, Ice released his fifth album, Platinum Underground. He said the title meant he could keep fans without mainstream radio play. The song "Ninja Rap 2" was the first released from this album.

In September 2008, Ice signed with Cleopatra Records. He recorded a cover album called Vanilla Ice Is Back!, released in November 2008. It had covers of songs by Public Enemy and Bob Marley.

Recent Years (2010–Present)

Vanilla Ice performing in Akron, Ohio, August 2018

In 2009, Ice started filming a reality TV show called The Vanilla Ice Project. It first aired in October 2010 on DIY Network. The show is about renovating houses in Palm Beach, Florida. Each episode focuses on a different room. In 2011, Ice wrote a book about real estate based on the show.

In June 2011, Ice filmed a role in the movie That's My Boy, starring Adam Sandler. In the movie, Ice plays an exaggerated version of himself. He also worked on music with Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg during filming. In August, Ice performed at the 2011 Gathering of the Juggalos. His sixth studio album was released on August 19, 2011. It featured different styles, including a return to Electronica.

In December 2011, Ice played Captain Hook in a theater show of Peter Pan in England. On May 12, 2012, Vanilla Ice helped launch the Mr. Freeze Reverse Blast roller coaster at Six Flags over Texas. He also gave a free concert. In 2013, Vanilla Ice joined the New Kids on the Block tour.

On September 15, 2013, Vanilla Ice performed at a halftime show for the Houston Texans football team. Some players jokingly blamed him for the team's losing streak afterward!

In the movie The Ridiculous Six (2015), Ice played Mark Twain. He also had a small role in another Netflix movie, Sandy Wexler. In 2016, Vanilla Ice competed on Dancing with the Stars. He was eliminated in October 2016.

On September 16, 2017, Vanilla Ice joined Insane Clown Posse for a free concert. From 2015 to 2016, he was a main performer for the worldwide 'I Love the 90s Tour'. In January 2019, it was announced that Dave Franco would play Ice in a movie about his life.

On December 31, 2020, Ice performed at a New Year's Eve party at President Trump's mansion, Mar-a-Lago. In June 2021, Ice narrated a BBC Radio 5 Live podcast about the theft of a racehorse.

Personal Life

Vanilla Ice married Laura Giaritta in 1997. They have two daughters, Dusti Rain (born 1998) and KeeLee Breeze (born 2000). Ice describes himself as a "Juggalo", which means he is a fan of Psychopathic Records hip hop groups.

By 2012, he had been a vegetarian for six years. In 2013, Ice said he has Choctaw heritage through his grandmother. In 2016, Ice's wife filed for divorce. His third child with his new wife was born in 2018.

Music Style and Influences

MC Hammer performing with Vanilla Ice in July 2009

Vanilla Ice's live shows mix newer rock and techno-influenced music with old-school hip hop. He performs with a live drummer and DJ. His shows often include an inflatable grim reaper balloon and confetti. Ice says his performances are "high energy, stage diving, pyrotechnics. It's crazy party atmosphere."

Ice says his music style was influenced by underground music, not just mainstream hits. He was influenced by hip hop and funk artists like Funkadelic and Bob Marley. He also enjoys rock bands like Rage Against the Machine and Slipknot.

Ice sometimes plays bass, drums, and keyboards on his recordings. He called his mainstream music "above-ground" because he made danceable beats and removed bad words. This helped his songs reach more people.

When asked about his darker music sound in 2002, Ice said: "Music is about reflection. I'm just reflecting my life. There's no way I'm going to be able to stress what I want and mean over a break beat. It's too emotional and it's too intense, so you have to have the intensity of the band."

Legacy and Impact

Vanilla Ice was one of the first white rappers to become very successful, along with groups like Beastie Boys. Chuck D from Public Enemy said Ice helped hip hop break through in the Southern U.S.

Other rappers sometimes mentioned Ice in their songs. For example, the group 3rd Bass released a song in 1991 that compared Ice to Elvis Presley in a negative way. Ice responded to his critics in songs like "The Wrath" and "Hit 'em Hard."

Vanilla Ice has appeared as a video game character in Championship Motocross (2001). A hairstylist character in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is also based on him. Former fighting champion Chuck Liddell used Ice's song Too Cold for his entrance music. In 2007, Nike released Vanilla Ice shoes.

In 2009, Ice was part of an advertising campaign where he apologized for his 1990s image. He also appeared in a commercial for a South African beer. In 2010, Vanilla Ice was featured on a song by the Irish duo Jedward, which was a mix of "Under Pressure" and "Ice Ice Baby".

Eminem has mentioned Vanilla Ice in his songs many times. Ice said in an interview that Eminem "raps like a girl." Eminem responded in his song "Marshall Mathers." Later, Ice mentioned Eminem in both positive and negative ways on his album Bi-Polar. However, Ice said he has no bad feelings toward Eminem. In April 2009, Ice appeared in the music video for Eminem's song "We Made You".

Discography

• Hooked (1989)
• To the Extreme (1990)
• Mind Blowin' (1994)
• Hard to Swallow (1998)
• Bi-Polar (2001)
• Platinum Underground (2005)
• W.T.F. (Wisdom, Tenacity and Focus) (2011)

Filmography

Awards and Nominations

American Music Awards

People's Choice Awards

The Factual Entertainment Awards

Golden Raspberry Awards

Images for kids

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  Vanilla Ice in 2010

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  Vanilla Ice performing in Akron, Ohio, August 2018

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  MC Hammer performing with Vanilla Ice in July 2009

See also

In Spanish: Vanilla Ice para niños