Ice-T is making television publicity rounds for the premiere of his rap and hip hop documentary "Something from Nothing; The Art of Rap."
Ice T’s documentary is showing in select theatres across the country. The documentary premiered at Sundance where it was received really well. Ice T says that in an age where critics are especially picky and petty, he’s proud that there hasn’t been negative buzz surrounding his documentary.
Ice-T sat with Barbara Harrison, a local Washington DC reporter and anchor, who asked Ice-T about his roots and how he broke his way through to achieve.
Ice-T said at one point he did think that the streets were the way, but after twenty-five years of acting, he said directing the hip hop documentary has given him much more respect for directors and producers and the administrative work they put in to get films made. As a Law and Order regular, Ice-T said the most he does is show up, say a few lines, and the rest just magically happens on television.
The Art of Rap was motivated by Ice-T’s desire to get legends in the hip hop industry to discuss the music, how it came about and why. Barbara Harrison asked Ice-T about politics and rap. Ice-T credits Obama’s win to the convergence rap music has had on the global consciousness.
Ice-T said he has caught the directing bug and is happy to work in this role at this stage in his career path. He said the film is cut down to two hours from 300 hours of footage.
Trailers indicate Art of Rap is a deep conversation with hip hip truebloods who consider rap and hip hop “folk” music. Rap and hip hop today is a folk music that has crossed into mainstream media, radio, television and culture.
And as this trend develops, millions and billions for artists and producers in the industry, what does the resistance to pop’s merging with hip and rap do to hardcore artists? Common, appears in Ice-T’s doc. As does Chuck D., Doug E. Fresh, Melly Mel, Nas, and Ice Cube. “The Art of Rap” opened in theatres on June 15. Kanye West, Eminem, Snoop Dogg and RUN DMC also appear in the film. MC Lyte and Salt from the hit rap girl group, Salt and Pepa also share experiences in the film.
You can read the Sundance review from January 2012, here.
Ice-T is 54-years old. He was born in Newark, New Jersey. Ice-T is long remembered for his "F the Police" track that gained him notoriety and a chance to explain to the world what rap music is all about and perhaps, atone for the sin of disrespecting civil servants on the airwaves. The infamous track not only made Ice-T a notorious rapper, but it made him a television celebrity as well. Ice-T and Ice Cube were both called time and time again by media to explain the sentiments behind lyrics that "bashed" either women or the police.
And more often than not, the rappers had explanations and defenses of their harsh lyrics. The cited civil rights experiences and abuses that were the result of race, politics, education and economics. Today, Ice-T says he's all about diversity and as long as artists are authentic, then their craft shows.
The documentary moves through Detroit, Los Angeles and New York. Afrika Bambaataa is also featured in the doc.
Photocredit: Wikipedia
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