(Tracy Marrow), rapper and actor; b. Newark, N.J.,C.1958. Ice-T moved to Los Angeles in the seventh grade to live with his aunt. In high school in the Crenshaw area, he became involved with gangs, and he moved out on his own during the 12th grade. He subsequently graduated and joined the Army.

In the early '80s, Ice-T began rapping, recording The Coldest Rap in 1982 for a local label. He then went to N.Y., where he worked with several other local rappers, returning to Los Angeles by 1986. He was signed to Sire Records in 1987, forming his own Rhyme Syndicate management company and recording label a year later. He appeared in the film New Jack City in 1991, and a year later he formed the speed metal-rap group, Body Count.