Before he became a cool NYPD detective, Odafin Tutuola appeared on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, he raved about killing cops. He was a rapper with eight solo albums who also served in the US Army. Tracy Lauren Marrow, better known as Ice T, was raised by a relative after the tragic loss of both parents to heart attacks. He was riddled with violence and then found success before finding a stability that only age and maturity can bring. Who is Ice T? Read below to find out more about the rapper and the actor.
Ice-T’s biography
Born Tracy Lauren Marrow, Ice T was born on February 16, 1958 for Solomon and Alice Marrow, Ice T had a difficult childhood as he dealt with racism and the possible death of his parents. He lost his mother when he was in third grade and his father succeeded him at age 12. Both parents died of heart attacks, leaving him orphaned to live with his aunt in View Park-Windsor Hills, south Los Angeles. Ice T lived in New Jersey during his parents’ lifetime.
In Los Angeles, Ice T continued his education by attending Crenshaw High School. At Crenshaw High, he faced a lot of violence due to the burgeoning gang culture in the Los Angeles school system. While Ice T was never a gang member, he did have close relationships with students who were gang members, and his music career began with a gang song he wrote and performed.
He officially took music seriously and formed a band with the Crenshaw High School vocal group. At the age of seventeen, after spending five years without his parents, Ice T began receiving Social Security benefits. The benefits could not cover his expenses and bills as he had a pregnant girlfriend at the time. Ice T started selling cannabis and stealing car stereos for extra income. Despite his illicit dealings, Ice T still struggled to support his new family. Shortly after the birth of his daughter, he enlisted in the United States Army for two years and two months.
Ice T, who would become famous for his music despite his controversial background, fell in love with hip-hop while he was in the army. After completing his military service, Ice T pursued a career as an artist and disc jockey, a skill he acquired while serving in the Army. A slow start as an artist forced Ice T into a criminal lifestyle until a car accident gave him some perspective and he gave up the lifestyle for good.
A win at an open mic competition put him on the path to success as a music artist. He met record producer Willie Strong in 1982 and they recorded his first song, Kalter Wind Wahnsinn Although the song did not find mainstream success due to its hardcore lyrics, it was popular in the underground world of music.
After releasing a few more singles, Ice T was signed to Sire Records, a major record label. He released his debut album Rhyme Pays in 1987. It was certified gold by the RIAA. He released his second album, Performance in 1988, which was also certified Gold. His fourth album, OG Original Gangster was met with great success and is considered one of gangster rap’s defining albums. After not giving up his love for heavy metal, Ice T formed a band Body Count in 1991 and released an album. Count of the Dead The album featured the song Cop Killer, which was the subject of controversy by the NRA and the government.
To date, Ice T has released 19 albums – 8 solo albums, 6 Body Count albums and 5 collaborative albums. He is also known as an actor, making his acting debut in the 1984 film Breakin. Since then he has acted in over 20 films and starred in various television shows including Law & Order: Task Force Victims on which he appeared as Detective Odafin Tutuola in over 400 episodes.
Ice T has been nominated for multiple awards including 3 Grammy Awards (won one), MTV Video Music Awards and MTV Movie Awards.
Wealth (income and earnings)
Reality TV shows, hit albums, hit performers. All three projects have helped Ice T build a net worth of $40 million. A far cry from the days when he stole car stereos to support his girlfriend and young family.
wife, coco austin, children
Although he has had public ties to Darlene Ortiz, with whom he had a son named Ice Tracy Marrow, Ice T has only ever been married to Nicole Austin, better known as Coco Marie Austin. The couple married in January 2002 and took their vows again nine years after June 4, 2011. They have one child, Channel Nicole Marrow, who was born in 2015.
Ice-T’s child with Coco makes his third child. His first child and daughter LeTesha were born in 1976 when Ice T was in high school.
lifetime achievements
Ice T has had a number of achievements throughout his career. Some of the notable ones are – 3 Grammy nominations including a win for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1991. Multiple Billboard chart albums and singles, NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. However, we think his greatest achievement has been in evolving from a life of crime into a well-respected icon in the industry.
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