Subtitle: A Memoir of Gangster Life and Redemption—from South Central to Hollywood
For readers of Sister Souljah’s No Disrespect, Nathan McCall’s Makes Me Wanna Holler, The Autobiography of Malcolm X, and Monster by Sanyika Shakur comes the definitive memoir from Ice-T, the acclaimed rapper and actor known for telling it like it is.
Ice-T offers his hip-hop generation’s Horatio Alger story: the narrative of an orphaned child who, drawn inexorably into a harrowing life of crime, ultimately turns away from the streets and, through self-discipline and a single-minded work ethic, forges a path to international fame as a musician and film and television star.
“A goes-down-easy mélange of memoir, self-help, and amateur criminology…Ultimately, Ice showcases an eminently reasonable, positively likable guy, the gangsta rapper even a parent could love.”—New York Times Book Review
“In this intriguing memoir, groundbreaking rapper and actor Ice-T chronicles his rise from nomadic criminal to hip-hop star…Ice-T is a canny businessman, and he charts clearly the decisions that brought him up each step of a very treacherous ladder.”—Publishers Weekly
“In this no-holds-barred memoir, Ice-T writes with refreshing, if profane, down-to-earth candor, recalling his first memories of racism, his increasingly dangerous street life, and his experiences on tour, including a funny and wild anecdote about a show in Milan. A fascinating and inspiring story about an African American orphan who beat the odds to become successful, this memoir will appeal to fans of hip-hop and popular culture.”—Booklist (starred review)
“An enlightening read…For anyone interested in how street smarts are transferable to the entertainment industry.”—Library Journal
“A boldly opinionated, bracingly street-tough memoir.”—Kirkus Reviews
"Narrating a memoir of someone whose voice is famous is not an easy feat, but Mirron Willis does an admirable job of capturing former rapper, now actor Ice-T’s edgy tone and attitude. Willis’ skill proves key to the listening experience as it keeps one engaged even during the less interesting portions of the audiobook. The author covers the highlights of his life—from his days on the streets to his lovers, family, and ultimately his success in music, film, and television (Law & Order). Overall, he provides an entertaining look at himself and his past. However, the occasional misogynistic comments are offensive.”—AudioFile
ICE-T was born Tracy Marrow in New Jersey. As an only child whose parents died when he was very young, he became involved in Los Angeles gangs before spending four years in the Army. He released a string of groundbreaking West Coast rap records and formed the thrash-metal band Body Count. He currently stars as Detective Fin Tutuola on Law and Order: SVU.
DOUGLAS CENTURY is the author of Barney Ross, Street Kingdom, and the coauthor of the New York Times bestsellers Takedown and Under and Alone. He has written frequently for the New York Times, among many other publications, and is a contributing editor at Tablet Magazine.
