Ice-T Explains Why Playing A Cop & A Gangsta On TV Is ‘The Exact Same’ Thing

Ice-T has had an illustrious career that spans generations and disciplines, and the ground he’s covered in that time speaks to his adaptability as a creative.

In a new appearance on Drink Champs, the West Coast icon sat down with N.O.R.E. and DJ EFN to discuss a range of topics, one of which was his pivot into acting and the contrast between some of the roles he’s taken on and the life he’s lived.

In 1991, the Los Angeles rapper dropped his career-defining LP, O.G. Original Gangster, at the peak of his gangsta rap phase. That same year, he played a New York City detective in the iconic action thriller, New Jack City. Though the polarity of his public persona confused many, Ice-T maintains that both roles aren’t at all different.

“Playing a cop and playing a gangsta is the exact same acting,” he explained. “We both got a gun, we both got an attitude, we both want answers or there will be a consequence.”

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The Body Count frontman also explained how he was hesitant about taking on the role of a policeman, but those around him were supportive of seizing the opportunity. From there, his acting career took off and it has now become his primary craft.

“I was scared — I thought, like I said, it was career suicide,” Ice-T said. “But then I got all my people saying, ‘Man this is a chance.’ There’s no studying, you just act. Acting is make-believe … just act.”

He added: “We all had enough experience with the cops, you can act like a cop. Like when I’m on Law & Order, right before I do the scene, I just go, ‘Asshole, asshole, asshole, asshole,’ [pointing at himself] and then I talk down to you.”

In another crossover between Hip Hop and television, Ice-T and LL COOL J recently announced a new show about the culture’s memorabilia.

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Hip Hop Treasures— which premieres on A&E on August 12 — features the two MCs-turned-TV mainstays on the hunt for some of Hip Hop’s best-known — and best-loved — memorabilia.

“Led by LL COOL J and Ice-T alongside field collectors and museum curators, the team tells the story of some of Hip Hop’s greatest artists and the items they made famous such as The Notorious B.I.G.’s iconic jersey from the ‘Juicy’ video, Flavor Flav’s clocks, DMX’s Aaliyah car, and more,” reads the logline of the show.

“This exclusive partnership between A&E, Pulse Films, LL COOL J’s Rock The Bells and The Universal Hip Hop Museum honors these music legends and brings their items back to the birthplace of the culture, The Bronx.”