Ice-T Says Rap Beefs Are 'Not Smart' and Warns They Can 'Escalate'

• Ice-T believes rap beefs have become too dangerous for music
• In an interview with Boss Talk 101reflected on the changing definition and roles of feuds in hip-hop over the years
• Ice-T also discussed how his 1992 single “Cop Killer,” which he released with Body Count, caused a lot of controversy

And while beefing might be the name of the game, Ice-T thinks it’s become too dangerous in rap music.

In an interview with Boss Talk 101, the West Coast rapper reflected on the changing definition and roles of feuds in hip-hop over the years. “Hip-hop has always been competitive, so saying ‘I’m better than you’ is part of hip-hop.”” Ice-T, 66, said.

The Host E executive mentioned Ice-T’s deal with LL Cool J and noted that “the beef was going on, but it was on wax,” meaning the animosity was kept within the music via diss tracks. “They didn’t stumble as they later started,” he added. The Body Count frontman agreed, saying: “The problem with beef is that it can escalate beyond you.”

Ice-T in Beverly Hills in November 2018.

Jesse Grant/Getty

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Ice-T then presented a hypothetical fight situation with Naughty by Nature member Treach, saying, “I might run into one of his fans on the street who wants to get active.” He then recalled the aftermath of his controversial 1992 single “Cop Killer,” which he released with Body Count.

“When I had the ‘Cop Killer’ beef, I wasn’t worried about the cop. I could run into the cop’s brother or son who wanted to start a fight,” he said. “Eating beef is just not smart if you can avoid it.”

Ice-T also acknowledged that the stakes of rap beef have changed with social media. “Social media is an amplifier of everything,” he said. “It’s forcing a reaction that could really be squashed a lot easier. Why people would have a problem and take it to social media is beyond me, especially if you know a n—- phone number.”

The “Mind Over Matter” musician is no stranger to rapping as he famously feuded with LL Cool J, 56, in the ’80s and ’90s. After LL allegedly said he was “the worst rapper in the history of rap itself,” Ice-T recorded a series of disses aimed at the New York rapper on his 1988 album. Powerincluding an interlude in “I’m Your Pusher” by a rap fan who refuses to buy LL’s record, by All HipHop and Genius.

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LL went on to respond to “To da Break of Dawn” in 1990 and hurled numerous insults at Ice-Tu, including calling him a “downtown car thief” as a reminder of his past before he became a rapper. While the feud never escalated after the disses were traded, it was a momentous occasion when the pair took the stage together at rehearsals for the 65th Grammy Awards in honor of hip-hop’s 50th anniversary in 2023.

In a statement to AllHipHop in February 2023, Ice-T said the feud was settled a long time ago: “LL and I have been together on different occasions. I worked with him on Rock the Bells, we did podcasts and stuff, but as far as our actual physical image? I think there’s probably another one. And I think the second one was before we really sat down and talked like adults about it. But yeah that’s over and lol the beef never really escalated. It was just a rap beef.”

Ice-T at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards on January 28, 2018.

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Recently, Ice-T dished out nuggets of wisdom he’s carried over the years as he reflects on his 40-year career. In the October interview with The Guardianhe recalled seeing the real-life implications of “Cop Killer” and why saying controversial things could prove to be an expensive task.

“The heat came when they started sending bomb threats to Warner Bros. I threw a rock, that’s my heat,” he admitted. “But when other people might get hurt, it’s nerve-wracking.”

Ice-T continued, “But I’ve got news for people: Anyone who thinks controversy is a way to make money, it’s not. There is a lot of talk about you, but now you need lawyers. So don’t just say something stupid and back off – if you’re going to say something, stick to it.”

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Source: HIS Education