The breadth of Ice-T’s accomplished career, which crosses decades and artistic fields, attests to his versatility as a creator.
The West Coast legend made a guest visit on Drink Champs, where he spoke with DJ EFN and N.O.R.E. about a variety of subjects, including his transition into acting and the discrepancy between some of the roles he’s played and the life he’s led.
At the height of his gangsta rap period, the Los Angeles rapper released his career-defining album, O.G. Original Gangster, in 1991. He appeared as a New York City investigator in the renowned action film New Jack City the same year. Although the polarity of his public persona perplexed many, Ice-T insists that the two personas aren’t really that dissimilar from one another.
“Playing a cop and playing a gangsta is the exact same acting,” he said. “We both have guns, a bad attitude, and demand answers, or there will be a cost.”
The Body Count vocalist also discussed his reluctance to assume the position of a police officer and how those close to him encouraged him to take the chance. His acting career quickly took off after that and is now his main profession.
“I was scared — I thought, like I said, it was career suicide,” Ice-T admitted. “But after that, everyone I know started to say, ‘Man, this is a chance.'” You simply act; there is no studying. Simply acting is all there is to it.
“You can act like a cop,” he continued, “we’ve all got enough experience with the police. Like when I’m on Law & Order, I just say, “Asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole” [pointing at himself] before I do the part, and then I talk down to you.”
