You probably know Ice-T for his extensive career in the rap industry, or as Detective Odafin ‘Fin’ Tutuola on the Golden Globe winning show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. But what you may not know is that he is also a motivational speaker!
The Grammy Award-winning artist spoke as part of Bunker Hill Community College’s Compelling Conversations speaker series last week, delivering an inspiring talk that drew both laughs and applause from an overflow audience.
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@FINALLEVEL (Ice-T) at BHCC’s #compellingconversations pic.twitter.com/pnVy64v0FY
— BHCC Boston (@BHCCBoston) February 26, 2015
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Ice-T described losing both of his parents at an early age and finding a substitute family as an affiliate of the Rollin’ 60’s Crip Gang in Los Angeles, California. He enlisted as a U.S. Army Ranger and served four years, he said, but when a sergeant told him he wouldn’t make it in real life, Ice-T decided to “stop being a chess piece on a board.” Eventually he transformed what he called crime rhymes into a rap career as the self-proclaimed original gangster, and paid his dues in a handful of low-budget films before winning better roles.
Offering encouragement to the largely student audience, Ice-T said, “You are starting from a better place than I did. You’re right where you should be.” He advised students to choose their own path, stay focused and be willing to work hard.
Born Tracy Marrow in Newark, New Jersey, Ice-T boasts over 30 years in the rap music industry. His acting career is equally impressive: in addition to a long list of movie roles, at 17 years his detective role on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit the longest running stint for a television cop. When he’s not performing on stage or in front of camera, Ice-T serves as a mentor for at-risk youth.
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We hear a lot about rap artists doing bad things nowadays. It’s refreshing to hear about artists in rap as well as other genres that are doing something positive to help inspire others!
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