Ice-T, born Tracy Lauren Marrow, is a significant figure in the history of American hip hop and rap music. Known for his vivid narratives and social commentary, he emerged from the West Coast hip hop scene in the late 1980s. His 1991 album "O.G. Original Gangster" is regarded as a seminal work in the gangsta rap subgenre, and the track "New Jack Hustler" is often cited as a prime example of his signature sound. Ice-T is also notable for his controversial heavy metal band, Body Count, which faced backlash for the protest song "Cop Killer."