Tracy Lauren Marrow, better known as Ice-T, is an American rapper, singer, and actor. Born in Newark, New Jersey, he overcame a troubled past to become a successful musician and actor. After serving in the United States Army, Ice-T found solace in music and released his debut album ‘Rhyme Pays.’ He went on to found his own record label and co-founded the heavy metal band ‘Body Count.’ Although he faced controversy with his track ‘Cop Killer,’ Ice-T has continued to make a name for himself in the entertainment industry, starring in the long-running series ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit’ and appearing in various films.
Quick Facts
- Girlfriend: Darlene Ortiz
- Also Known As: Tracy Lauren Marrow
- Age: 65 Years, 65 Year Old Males
- Family:
- Spouse/Ex-: Coco Austin (m. 2005)
- Father: Solomon Marrow
- Mother: Alice Marrow
- Children: Letesha Marrow, Tracy Marrow Jr.
- Born Country: United States
- Quotes By Ice-T
- Rappers
- Height: 5’11” (180 cm), 5’11” Males
- Notable Alumni: Crenshaw High School
- U.S. State: New Jersey
- City: Newark, New Jersey
- More Facts
- Education: Crenshaw High School
Childhood & Early Life
Ice-T was born Tracy Lauren Marrow on February 16, 1958, in Newark, New Jersey, USA, to Solomon, an African-American who worked as a conveyor belt mechanic at the ‘Rapistan Conveyor Company,’ and Alice Marrow, a Creole. Though he was raised in a neighborhood where racism was prevalent, he escaped unscathed because of his lighter skin inherited from his Creole mother. By the time he was 12, he had lost both his parents. He went to live with his aunt’s family in View Park-Windsor Hills, near Los Angeles. Sharing a room with his cousin Earl, an avid rock fan, he too became interested in heavy metal music. After passing out of ‘Palms Junior High,’ he attended ‘Crenshaw High School.’ When he was in high school, gangism was part of the Los Angeles school system. Students belonging to the ‘Bloods’ and ‘Crips’ gangs attended ‘Crenshaw,’ and often fought in the school. He was never part of ‘Bloods’ or ‘Crips.’ But he often read Iceberg Slim’s novels and recited stories to his friends.
Career
In 1979, he joined the ‘US Army.’ He joined the army as the money that he earned from selling cannabis and stolen car stereos was not enough to support his girlfriend and daughter. He served in the army for four years. In 1983, he returned to South Central with the intention of becoming a hip-hop musician. However, he got caught up in street crime and became a jewel thief and pimp. By 1983, he had adopted the name Ice-T after his favorite writer Iceberg Slim. He then recorded a rap called ‘The Coldest Rap.’ In 1985, he was wounded in a car accident and was hospitalized. Around this time, he won an open mic competition judged by Kurtis Blow as he was eager to pursue a professional rapping career. After honing his skills, he started creating music for videos and released recordings. He then signed with ‘Sire Records’ in 1987 and released ‘Rhyme Pays,’ his debut album, which eventually went gold. Between 1987 and 1988, he recorded the title theme song for Dennis Hopper’s film ‘Colors,’ which was about inner-city gang life in Los Angeles. He then recorded his second album ‘Power,’ which received positive reviews and a gold certification. He teamed up with former Dead Kennedy’s front man Jello Biafra for the sarcastic kick-off track of his album ‘The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say’ in 1989. His 1992 album ‘Body Count’ had the controversial song ‘Cop Killer.’ The song was intended to be a narrative from the viewpoint of a criminal getting revenge on racist police officers. The controversy surrounding ‘Cop Killer’ prompted ‘Warner Bros’ to block the release of ‘Home Invasion,’ Ice-T’s next solo album, in 1993. The artist severed his relation with ‘Warner Bros. Records’ and released his work through ‘Priority Records.’
Personal Life & Legacy
He married Adrienne in 1976. They were blessed with a daughter whom they named LeTesha. He also has a son named Ice Tracy Marrow with Darlene Ortiz. In 2002, he married swimsuit model Niccole ‘Coco’ Marie Austin. On November 28, 2015, the couple welcomed their first child Chanel Nicole Marrow.
Major Works
His 1991 album ‘O.G. Original Gangster’ introduced gangster rap, mixing social commentary with inflammatory lyrics. He pushed musical boundaries by recording heavy metal tracks with the band ‘Body Count.’ His 1993 album ‘Home Invasion’ peaked at No. nine on ‘Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums’ and at No. 14 on the ‘Billboard 200.’ It included singles, such as ‘Gotta Lotta Love’ and ‘99 Problems.’
Awards & Achievements
In 1991, he shared a ‘Grammy’ with Big Daddy Kane and four others for the album ‘Back on the Block’ under the ‘Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group’ category. The album was produced by Quincy Jones. In 2002, he won the ‘Image Awards’ for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actor in Drama Series’ for his performance in ‘Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.’
Trivia
He once admitted, “If I hadn’t had a chance to rap, I’d either be dead or in jail—or I’d be rich, but I knew the odds were against it.” This legendary hip-hop artist, well-known as the father of gangsta music, helped establish the careers of artists like ‘N.W.A.,’ Snoop Dogg, and ‘Geto Boys.’