Ice-T has officially become the 11th Hip Hop artist to be honored by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
The rapper was joined by his wife and daughter as his star was unveiled on Friday (February 17), the day after his 65th birthday.
Ice was introduced to the crowd by his Law & Order: Special Victims Unit co-star Mariska Hargitay, the show’s creator Dick Wolf, and fellow Rap veteran Chuck D. Ice Cube, comedian Mike Epps and Def Jam founder Russell Simmons were also on hand for the celebration.
Addressing the crowd gathered at his unveiling ceremony — which, according to CBS News, took place at at 7065 Hollywood Blvd., between La Brea and Sycamore avenues, where the star is located — Ice-T took a moment to thank his biggest motivators and offer the audience some words of inspiration.
“Last but not least… I wanna thank the muthafuckin’ haters,” he proclaimed. “‘Cause you really make me get up in the morning and be the best I can be. All the naysayers, all the people that wanted to end my career; now I’m on the Walk of Fame, bitch ass muthafuckas. And that’s the motivation!
“You gotta let them haters motivate you,” he continued. “If you wanna go in the gym, go on the YouTube, see somebody talking shit about you, then go get your reps in, you understand what I’m sayin’? If it wasn’t for the haters, I definitely wouldn’t have pulled this off, I swear to God! Thank you SO much, Imma give you so much more to hate in the future, trust me.”
Ice-T’s star becomes the 2,747th to be added to the Walk of Fame, which was inaugurated in 1961 with 1,558 initial stars. He joins Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, LL COOL J, Diddy, Ice Cube, Pharrell, Missy Elliott and Queen Latifah as the only rappers to have received this honor to date.
The Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce chose to recognize Ice-T for both his illustrious career as a Hip Hop pioneer and his stellar second career as an actor.
The Newark, New Jersey native helped popularize gangsta rap in the mid to late ’80s with early releases such as “6 in the Mornin’” and O.G. Original Gangster, paving the way for the likes of N.W.A, Above the Law and the Geto Boys.
He was also one of the first rappers to crossover into the world of rock with his heavy metal band Body Count, whose controversial 1992 song “Cop Killer” famously resulted in protests against Time Warner, the parent company of the group’s label.
Ice’s extensive acting résumé, meanwhile, includes credits in movies including New Jack City, Johnny Mnemonic and Sonic Impact. But he’s best known for portraying Sergeant Odafin “Fin” Tutuola on Law & Order: SVU — a role he’s held since 2000, making him the longest-running male actor in TV history.
