Ice-T not only invented gangster rap, he has lived it. Ice-T is the original embodiment of LA Hip-Hop and a cultural icon. Through his music, his books, and his lecture tours of America’s prisons, high schools, libraries, and colleges (including Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford), Ice-T has become an influential spokesman for America’s youth, regardless of color.

Born in New Jersey, Ice-T learned the art of survival pretty fast. An only child whose parents died when he was very young, Ice-T became involved in Los Angeles gangs before spending four years in the army.
His first break came when the producers of the film Breakin’ asked him to rap in the movie. He went on to become rap music’s original gangster, writing songs like “Six in the Mornin” and “New Jack Hustler.”

Ice-T formed Rhyme Syndicate Records in 1989 and released a string of groundbreaking West Coast rap records. He subsequently formed the thrash metal band Body Count with close high school friend and guitarist Ernie C. Body Count’s 1991 self-titled debut contained the controversial single “Cop Killer.” Body Count was the most critically acclaimed act on the highly successful 1991 Lollapalooza tour, and continued to tour worldwide.

As his politics were grabbing headlines, Ice-T’s film and television career was taking off.  The controversial personality secured roles in New Jack City, Ricochet, Trespass and Johnny Mnemonic, all while building a flourishing television career. He has numerous independent and documentary film roles to his credit as well.
Ice-T currently stars in NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit as Detective Odafin Tutuola for his fourteenth season as well as stars on the reality show Ice Loves Coco with his wife Coco for the E! Network.

As an artist, his reach has crossed from music into film and television, and interactive media. He is the voice of “Griffin” in the new Gears of War 3 game released in Sept 2011. As an author, in 2011 he released two books, the first being, Ice: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption-from South Central to Hollywood (Random House) and the second book a fictional tale entitled, Kings of Vice (Tor).

In Jan 2012, Ice premiered his directorial debut, “Something from Nothing: The Art of Rap”, at the Sundance Film Festival and has since been acquired by Indomina Releasing. “The Art of Rap” is about the runaway juggernaut that is hip-hop. Ice takes viewers on a personal journey into the craft and skill of rap, and what goes on inside the minds and erupts from the pens of 38 rap legends. “The Art of Rap” was released  in the US theatrically on June 8 and internationally on July 19th.

Tickets will be available on Monday January 28th at 10am at the WPU Ticket Office! Students are limited to THREE tickets per person.

Tickets are FREE with a valid Pitt undergrad (Oakland) id! Must show id at ticket office AND the night of the event.

Tickets only guarantee seats until 7:45pm. Students without tickets will be admitted into the event on a space available basis.