Tracy Lauren Marrow, known as Ice-T, is an American rapper and actor involved in both hip hop and heavy metal. His career began in the 1980s as an underground rapper. He signed with Sire Records in 1987 and released his debut album, "Rhyme Pays." In 1988, he founded Rhyme $yndicate Records and released the platinum album "Power." He went on to release several successful gold albums, including "The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say!," "O.G. Original Gangster," and "Home Invasion."
February 16, 1958: Birth of Tracy Lauren Marrow
Tracy Lauren Marrow, widely known as Ice-T, was born on February 16, 1958.
1975: Receives Social Security Benefits and Turns to Illegal Activities
At the age of seventeen, Ice-T began receiving Social Security benefits due to his father's death. Using the money to rent an apartment, he also engaged in selling cannabis and stealing car stereos to make ends meet, struggling to support his pregnant girlfriend.
March 20, 1976: Birth of Daughter
On March 20, 1976, Ice-T's high school girlfriend Adrienne gave birth to their daughter LeTesha Marrow, and they continued attending high school while raising her.
October 1977: Enlistment in the US Army
Ice-T enlisted in the United States Army in October 1977.
December 1979: Honorable Discharge from the Army
Ice-T received an early honorable discharge from the Army in December 1979, as he was a single father.
1979: Exposure to Hip-Hop and Early Rap Influences
Ice-T's interest in hip-hop music was sparked in 1979 when he heard The Sugarhill Gang's hit single "Rapper's Delight." Inspired, he began rapping over instrumental tracks from early hip-hop records.
1982: Meeting Producer Willie Strong
Ice-T's path in music took a significant turn in 1982 when he met producer Willie Strong from Saturn Records.
1982: Friends' Legal Troubles and Turning Point in Life
In 1982, two of Ice-T's friends, Al P. and Sean E. Sean, faced legal troubles. Al P. was imprisoned for a jewelry store robbery, while Sean served time for possession of stolen goods and cannabis, taking the blame for Ice-T's involvement. Ice-T has acknowledged his gratitude to Sean, believing that his friend's sacrifice provided him with the opportunity to pursue rapping. After a car accident and subsequent hospitalization, where he was admitted as a "John Doe" due to lacking identification from his criminal activities, Ice-T chose to leave his life of crime behind and focus on music. He won an open mic competition judged by Kurtis Blow two weeks later.
1983: Breakin' 'n' Enterin' Documentary Appearance
Ice-T was featured as a rapper and breakdancer in the 1983 documentary "Breakin' 'n' Enterin'," which focused on the early West Coast hip hop scene.
1983: Release of "Cold Wind Madness" and "Body Rock"
Ice-T's first single, "Cold Wind Madness" (also known as "The Coldest Rap"), was recorded and released in 1983, becoming an underground hit despite its explicit lyrics preventing radio play. He followed this success with another popular club track, "Body Rock."
1984: Meeting Darlene Ortiz
While filming Breakin' in 1984, Ice-T met his second girlfriend Darlene Ortiz, and they began a relationship. Ortiz was featured on the covers of Rhyme Pays and Power.
1984: Featured Rapper on "Reckless"
Ice-T was a featured rapper on "Reckless," a single by DJ Chris "The Glove" Taylor and David Storrs, in 1984. The song's inclusion in the movie "Breakin'" and its soundtrack contributed to its widespread popularity. A sequel, "Reckless Rivalry (Combat)", was featured in "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" but was only released as a single.
1984: Breakin' and Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo
Ice-T made his first film appearances in "Breakin'" and its sequel, "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo," both released in 1984. He has since expressed dissatisfaction with the films and his own performance in them.
1984: Film Debut in "Breakin'"
Ice-T made his film debut with a small role in the movie "Breakin'" in 1984.
1985: Appearances in "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" and "Rappin'"
In 1985, Ice-T appeared in the sequels "Breakin' 2: Electric Boogaloo" and "Rappin'," further expanding his presence in the film industry.
1985: Performance in "Rappin'" and Release of Political Rap
In 1985, Ice-T performed two verses from his track "Killers" in the film "Rappin'." This marked his first foray into political rap. He also collaborated with Unknown DJ, who brought a Run–D.M.C.-inspired sound to their tracks "Ya Don't Quit" and "Dog'n the Wax (Ya Don't Quit-Part II)."
1987: Rhyme Pays Release and Colors Theme Song
In 1987, Ice-T signed with Sire Records and released his debut album, "Rhyme Pays," which went gold. The same year, he recorded the title track for the film "Colors," directed by Dennis Hopper.
1987: Ice-T Signs with Sire Records and Releases Debut Album
In 1987, Ice-T signed with Sire Records, marking a significant step in his music career. He released his debut album "Rhyme Pays" that same year.
1988: Founding of Rhyme $yndicate Records and Release of "Power"
Ice-T established his own record label, Rhyme $yndicate Records, in 1988. The label was named after his collective of fellow hip-hop artists. That same year, he released his album "Power," which achieved platinum status.
1988: Power Release and Critical Acclaim
Ice-T released his second album, "Power," in 1988 under his own label, Rhyme Syndicate. The album received strong reviews and also achieved gold certification.
1988: Ice-T's Feud with LL Cool J Begins
Ice-T's feud with LL Cool J began in 1988, sparked by LL Cool J's claim of being the "baddest rapper in history". Ice-T's album "Power" included disses towards LL Cool J, furthering the rivalry.
1989: The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say! and Collaboration
1989 saw the release of Ice-T's album "The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say!" which solidified his popularity. He also collaborated with Hugh Harris on the single "Alice" that year.
1989: Release of "The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say!"
Ice-T released the album "The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say!" in 1989, which went gold.
1990: LL Cool J Responds to Ice-T's Disses
In 1990, LL Cool J released "To da Break of Dawn," a track where he dissed Ice-T, mocking his rapping skills, background, and style. This escalated their ongoing feud, which Ice-T seemingly chose to ignore.
1990: Debating on The Oprah Winfrey Show
In 1990, Ice-T and Jello Biafra appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show to debate Tipper Gore on censorship in music.
1990: Formation of Body Count
Ice-T co-founded the heavy metal band Body Count in 1990, showcasing his versatility across music genres.
November 23, 1991: Birth of Son
On November 23, 1991, Ice-T and his girlfriend Darlene Ortiz had a son, Ice Tracy Marrow Jr., who later became a backing vocalist with Body Count.
1991: New Jack City and Ricochet Roles
Ice-T began to establish his acting career in 1991 with roles as police detective Scotty Appleton in "New Jack City" and gang leader Odessa in "Ricochet" alongside Denzel Washington and John Lithgow.
1991: Breakthrough Role in "New Jack City"
Ice-T landed his first major acting role as police detective Scotty Appleton in the 1991 film "New Jack City," marking a significant breakthrough in his acting career.
1991: O.G. Original Gangster and Lollapalooza Debut
Ice-T's 1991 album "O.G. Original Gangster" is considered a defining album in gangsta rap. He introduced his metal band, Body Count, on this album. He also toured with Body Count at the first Lollapalooza festival, expanding his fanbase.
1991: Release of "O.G. Original Gangster"
1991 saw the release of Ice-T's album "O.G. Original Gangster," which achieved gold certification.
March 1992: Body Count Release and Grammy Win
Ice-T's band, Body Count, released their debut album in March 1992. Ice-T won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for his contribution to the song "Back on the Block" by Quincy Jones, which featured a range of Black musical styles.
1992: Body Count's Debut Album
Body Count – whose 1992 debut album Ice described as a "rock album with a rap mentality" – is credited with paving the way for the success of rap rock fusions by acts like Kid Rock and Limp Bizkit.
1992: Release of Body Count's Self-Titled Debut Album and "Cop Killer" Controversy
Body Count, Ice-T's heavy metal band, released their self-titled debut album in 1992. The album included the controversial track "Cop Killer," which sparked significant public debate due to its lyrics about killing police officers.
1992: Trespass Role
Continuing his foray into acting, Ice-T played gang leader King James in the film "Trespass" in 1992.
1992: Controversy Over Cop Killer
In 1992, Ice-T faced controversy for the Body Count song Cop Killer, which was condemned by George H.W. Bush and Dan Quayle. This controversy led to a doubling in album sales.
1992: Criticizing Targeting of Koreans During Riots
In 1992, Ice-T was one of the only rappers who criticized the targeting of Koreans by some Black rioters during the Los Angeles riots.
1993: Home Invasion and Label Change
In 1993, after leaving Sire/Warner Bros. Records, Ice-T released "Home Invasion" through his reactivated label, Rhyme Syndicate, with distribution by Priority Records. The album reached high positions on Billboard charts and included singles like "Gotta Lotta Love," "I Ain't New Ta This," and "99 Problems."
1993: Who's the Man? Comedy Appearance
Ice-T starred alongside other rappers and Yo! MTV Raps hosts Ed Lover, Doctor Dré, and Fab 5 Freddy in the comedy "Who's the Man?" directed by Ted Demme in 1993.
1993: Release of "Home Invasion"
In 1993, Ice-T released his album "Home Invasion," which also went gold.
1994: Surviving the Game Role
In 1994, Ice-T had a notable lead role in the film "Surviving the Game."
1994: Publishing The Ice Opinion
In 1994, Ice-T published his book The Ice Opinion, which focused on his view on politics and the aftermath of the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
1994: Starring Role in "Surviving the Game"
In 1994, Ice-T secured a starring role in the film "Surviving the Game," solidifying his presence as a prominent actor.
1995: Co-presenting Baadasss TV
Around 1995, Ice-T co-presented a UK-produced magazine television series on black culture called Baadasss TV.
1995: Metal Collaborations and Forbidden Performance
Continuing his work with metal bands, Ice-T collaborated on the "Judgment Night" soundtrack with Slayer on the track "Disorder." He also made a guest appearance on Black Sabbath's album "Forbidden" in 1995.
1995: Recurring Role on New York Undercover
In 1995, Ice-T had a recurring role as vengeful drug dealer Danny Cort on the television series New York Undercover, co-created by Dick Wolf. His work on the series earned him critical acclaim.
1996: VI – Return of the Real Release
Ice-T released his album "VI – Return of the Real" in 1996.
1996: NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor
In 1996, Ice-T received the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in New York Undercover.
1997: Ice-T's Extreme Babes
In 1997, Ice-T had a pay-per-view special titled Ice-T's Extreme Babes which appeared on Action PPV, formerly owned by BET Networks.
1997: Co-creation of the Series Players
In 1997, Ice-T co-created the short-lived series Players, produced by Dick Wolf.
1998: Role in Exiled: A Law & Order Movie
In 1998, Ice-T played the role of pimp Seymour "Kingston" Stockton in Exiled: A Law & Order Movie.
1999: The Seventh Deadly Sin Release
Ice-T's album "The Seventh Deadly Sin" was released in 1999.
1999: Acting in Sonic Impact
In 1999, Ice-T acted in the film Sonic Impact, expanding his portfolio in the film industry.
1999: Starring in Stealth Fighter
In 1999, Ice-T starred in the HBO film Stealth Fighter as a United States Naval Aviator who fakes his own death, steals an F-117 stealth fighter, and threatens to destroy United States military bases.
2000: Begins Role as Odafin Tutuola in "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit"
Ice-T took on the role of NYPD detective/sergeant Odafin Tutuola in the NBC police drama "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit" in 2000. This long-running role would make him a household name.
2000: Joining Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Since 2000, Ice-T has portrayed Odafin "Fin" Tutuola, a former undercover narcotics officer transferred to the Special Victims Unit in the series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
January 2002: Marriage to Nicole "Coco" Austin
In January 2002, Ice-T married swimsuit model Nicole "Coco" Austin.
2002: Hosting Beyond Tough
In 2002, Ice-T hosted Beyond Tough, a documentary series on the Discovery Channel about the world's most dangerous and intense professions.
2002: Second NAACP Image Award
In 2002, Ice-T received his second NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his work on Law & Order: SVU.
2003: "Beat of Life" and Continued Success
Ice-T released the single "Beat of Life" in collaboration with Sandra Nasić, Trigga tha Gambler, and DJ Tomekk, which gained traction on the German charts. This year also notably saw Jay-Z release his version of "99 Problems," inspired by Ice-T's earlier work.
2004: Touring Universities for First Amendment Rights
In 2004, Ice-T toured universities lecturing on first amendment rights and civil liberties, becoming vocal about the billions wasted on the Iraq war.
October 20, 2006: Rap School Premieres
On October 20, 2006, Ice-T's Rap School aired as a reality television show on VH1, where he taught eight teens from York Preparatory School.
October 31, 2006: Gangsta Rap Release and Controversial Cover Art
Ice-T released "Gangsta Rap," his first rap album since 1999, on October 31, 2006. The album's cover art, which featured Ice-T with his wife Coco, was considered too provocative by many retailers.
November 17, 2006: Rap School Finale Performance
On November 17, 2006, the season finale of Rap School aired, where Ice-T's group performed as an opening act for Public Enemy.
2006: Owning a Penthouse in New Jersey
As of 2006, Ice-T and Coco owned a penthouse apartment in North Bergen, New Jersey.
2007: Guest Star on Short Circuitz
In 2007, Ice-T appeared as a celebrity guest star on the MTV sketch comedy show Short Circuitz.
2007: Appearing in Hands of Hatred
In late 2007, Ice-T appeared in the short-music film Hands of Hatred, which can be found online.
June 5, 2008: Ice-T Jokes About Supporting John McCain
On June 5, 2008, Ice-T jokingly stated he would vote for John McCain in the upcoming election. He speculated that his past with Body Count might hurt Barack Obama's chances, opting to playfully disrupt McCain's campaign instead.
June 2008: Ice-T Criticizes Soulja Boy's Music
In June 2008, Ice-T publicly criticized Soulja Boy's music, specifically the song "Crank That," calling it "garbage" and blaming him for "killing hip hop." This sparked a heated exchange of videos online between the two rappers.
2008: Gathering of the Juggalos Appearance
Ice-T made an appearance at the 2008 Gathering of the Juggalos, a music festival organized by the group Insane Clown Posse.
2009: Featured in Centuries of Torment
Ice-T was interviewed for the Cannibal Corpse retrospective documentary Centuries of Torment in 2009.
2009: Appearing in Good Hair
In 2009, Ice-T appeared in Chris Rock's documentary Good Hair, reminiscing about going to school in hair curlers.
July 2010: Mistaken Arrest and Subsequent Release
In July 2010, Ice-T experienced a mistaken arrest. The charges were dropped a month later due to a clerical error. Reflecting on the incident, Ice-T advised young people that true "street credibility" stemmed from avoiding jail rather than seeking it out.
June 4, 2011: Renewal of Wedding Vows
On June 4, 2011, Ice-T and Nicole "Coco" Austin renewed their wedding vows in celebration of their impending ninth wedding anniversary.
June 12, 2011: Ice Loves Coco Debuts
On June 12, 2011, the E! reality show Ice Loves Coco debuted, focusing on Ice-T's relationship with his wife, Nicole "Coco" Austin.
November 2011: New LP Announcement and EDM Interest
In November 2011, Ice-T announced work on a new LP, though it remained unreleased as of October 2014. After releasing "Bloodlust" with Body Count in 2017, he expressed an interest in EDM.
2011: Premiere of "Ice Loves Coco"
"Ice Loves Coco," a reality television show featuring the life of Ice-T and his wife Coco Austin, premiered on E! in 2011.
June 6, 2012: Ice-T's Confession on The Adam Carolla Podcast
On June 6, 2012, during an episode of The Adam Carolla Podcast, Ice-T admitted to being involved in bank robberies in the past. He claimed he and his associates targeted bank safes instead of cash drawers. He also expressed relief that the statute of limitations on his past crimes had likely expired.
August 2012: Ice-T Downplays LL Cool J Rivalry
In August 2012, Ice-T admitted that his rivalry with LL Cool J was never serious. He acknowledged creating the "dispute" to generate excitement and buzz in the hip-hop scene.
2012: Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap
Ice-T's film "Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap," featuring prominent figures in underground and mainstream rap, was released in 2012. He also served as a judge for the 7th annual Independent Music Awards that year.
2012: Building a House in Edgewater
In 2012, Ice-T and Coco were building a five-bedroom house in Edgewater, New Jersey, expected to be completed by the end of the year.
December 27, 2013: Entering Podcasting
On December 27, 2013, Ice-T announced that he was entering podcasting in a deal with the Paragon Collective. He co-hosts the Ice-T: Final Level podcast with longtime friend Mick Benzo.
2013: End of "Ice Loves Coco"
The reality show "Ice Loves Coco" concluded after three seasons in 2013.
2015: Birth of Daughter
In 2015, Ice-T and Coco had their first child together, a daughter.
2015: Ice-T Expresses Admiration for Barack Obama
In 2015, Ice-T expressed admiration for Barack Obama's accomplishment of becoming president, even including him in a hypothetical dream dinner party guest list.
2016: GEICO Advertisement
In 2016, Ice-T appeared in a GEICO advertisement where he humorously denied being mistaken for lemonade at a lemonade stand.
2017: Body Count's Bloodlust Release
Body Count, Ice-T's metal band, released their album "Bloodlust" in 2017.
2017: Signing Petition for Criminal-Justice Reform
In 2017, Ice-T signed a petition to Congress for criminal-justice reform.
2018: Ice-T Begins Hosting "In Ice Cold Blood"
Ice-T became the host of the true crime documentary series "In Ice Cold Blood" on the Oxygen cable channel in 2018.
July 2019: "Feds in My Rearview" Release
Ice-T released "Feds in My Rearview," his first solo hip hop track in a decade, in July 2019. This marked the first track in a planned trilogy.
September 2019: "Too Old for the Dumb Shit" Release
Ice-T released "Too Old for the Dumb Shit," the second track in his trilogy and a prequel to "Feds in My Rearview," in September 2019.
2019: Voice Role in Borderlands 3
In 2019, Ice-T voiced the character BALEX in the video game Borderlands 3.
2020: Release of Body Count's Album "Carnivore"
Body Count, the heavy metal band co-founded by Ice-T, released their seventh studio album, "Carnivore," in 2020.
2020: "The Slayers Club" Collaboration
Ice-T was featured on the hip hop posse cut "The Slayers Club" in 2020, alongside artists such as R.A. the Rugged Man and Brand Nubian.
2020: Competing on The Masked Dancer
In 2020, Ice-T competed on The Masked Singer spin-off The Masked Dancer as "Disco Ball" and was the first to be eliminated.
2021: Grammy Win for Best Metal Performance
Body Count won a Grammy Award for Best Metal Performance for their song "Bum-Rush" from their album "Carnivore" at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021. This marked their second Grammy nomination and first win.
2021: New Year's Eve Toast & Roast Performance
Ice-T performed on Fox's New Year's Eve Toast & Roast 2021.
September 22, 2022: Ice-T Narrates Advertisement for FIRE
On September 22, 2022, Ice-T lent his voice to narrate an advertisement for the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE).
August 22, 2023: Voice Acting in Payday 3
On August 22, 2023, it was revealed at Gamescom 2023 that Ice-T would be voicing the contractor, Mac in Payday 3.