Body Count's self-titled debut album was released on Sire Records in 1992, and garnered much attention due to a controversy around the song "Cop Killer". Their label, Sire Records, and their parent company, Warner Bros. Records, defended the song; however Ice-T chose to remove it from the album because he felt that the controversy had eclipsed the music itself. The group left Sire the following year, and they have since released six more albums.
Three out of the band's original seven members are deceased: D-Roc died from lymphoma, Beatmaster V from leukemia and Mooseman in a drive-by shooting. Body Count's current lineup includes vocalist Ice-T, guitarists Ernie C and Juan Garcia, bassist Vincent Price, drummer Will "Ill Will" Dorsey Jr., and backing vocalists Sean E Sean and Little Ice, the latter of whom is Ice-T's son.
The band received their second Grammy nomination and later won the award at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards in 2021 for Best Metal Performance with their song "Bum Rush" from the album Carnivore.
Ice-T's interest in heavy metal stemmed from sharing a room with his cousin Earl, who was a fan of rock music and only listened to the local rock stations. Ice-T particularly enjoyed heavy metal, citing Edgar Winter, Led Zeppelin and Black Sabbath as his favorite bands. Ice-T attended Crenshaw High School, where a few classmates shared his interest in the genre, including musicians Ernie C, D-Roc the Executioner, Beatmaster V, and Mooseman. Ice-T began a solo career as a rapper, and later decided to form Body Count with these friends.
Ice-T co-wrote the band's music and lyrics with lead guitarist Ernie C, and took on the duties of lead vocalist, even though he felt that he did not have a great singing voice. The original line-up consisted of D-Roc on rhythm guitar, Beatmaster V on drums and Mooseman on bass,
Body Count's musical style derives from the dark, ominous tones of traditional heavy metal bands such as Black Sabbath and thrash metal bands such as Slayer, as well as hardcore punk's aggressiveness. According to Ernie C, "We wanted to be a big punk band [...] Our first record is almost a punk record." The presence of a rapper in a heavy metal band has been credited for paving the way for the rise of rap metal and nu metal, even though Ice-T does not rap in most Body Count songs and considers it to solely be a rock band. According to Ernie C, "A lot of rappers want to be in a rock band, but it has to be done sincerely. You can't just get anybody on guitar and expect it to work. [...] Ice and I, on the other hand, really loved the music we were doing, and it showed.
Interview
Body Count Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Eh yeah this is eh Danny from Big Hair rock magazine, I'm here with Ice T,
Eh Ice can we ask you a few questions about the new Body Count album?
Yeah, what is it, what what wa's up wa's up wa's up?
Yeah whatever you know you know it's our second album you know we tried to bring you know get real, you know make you feel it...
Yeah well, I didn't feel it, I thought the guitar plaing was like a daisicle, the vocals were sub-standard.
Yeah well dude you know like we tried our best, you know what I'm sayin', we we we've been around the world, we did a lot of good shows, and a lot of people liked that last album.
Yeah but I mean me personally, I've been a metal head for years, I grew up on rock roll and I just didn't feel it.
Eh, yeah dude I understand what you're trying to-
I mean to be honest Ice T, I don't even think you should be in rock any more, I I I I can't feel what you do.
Eh yeah I understand man, but you know you're not-
Look Ice, I just don't feel what you guys are doin'.
Yeah dude, feel this! [shoots twice]
The lyrics of Body Count's song Interview depict a conversation between a rock journalist named Danny and Ice T of the band Body Count. Danny expresses his disappointment with the group's last album, citing the lackluster guitar playing and sub-standard vocals. Although Ice T attempts to explain that the band tried their best and received positive feedback from fans, Danny insists that he cannot feel what Body Count is doing and even suggests that Ice T should no longer be in rock music.
This conversation takes a violent turn when Ice T responds to Danny's criticism by shooting him twice. The lyrics, therefore, make a commentary on the harsh criticism that artists often face from the media and fans. It also portrays the frustration that artists may feel when their work is not fully appreciated and understood by critics.
Overall, Interview is a thought-provoking and controversial track that challenges conventional ideas about music criticism and artist-audience relationships.
Line by Line Meaning
[knock knock] Yeah 1,2,1,2 let me get this tape recorder rolling
The interviewer is introducing himself and getting ready to start recording.
Eh yeah this is eh Danny from Big Hair rock magazine, I'm here with Ice T,
The interviewer is establishing his identity and who he is with for the readers of the magazine.
Eh Ice can we ask you a few questions about the new Body Count album?
The interviewer is requesting permission to ask some questions about the group's latest album.
Yeah, what is it, what what wa's up wa's up wa's up?
Ice T is responding positively and inviting the interviewer to proceed.
On the last album we didn't really feel that the group was up to par with today's metal standards.
The interviewer is expressing a negative opinion about the quality of the previous album.
Yeah whatever you know you know it's our second album you know we tried to bring you know get real, you know make you feel it...
Ice T is justifying the band's efforts and expressing their goal of creating a truly immersive experience.
Yeah well, I didn't feel it, I thought the guitar plaing was like a daisicle, the vocals were sub-standard.
The interviewer is critique the album with specific points about the guitar playing and vocals.
Yeah well dude you know like we tried our best, you know what I'm sayin', we we we've been around the world, we did a lot of good shows, and a lot of people liked that last album.
Ice T is acknowledging the criticism, but is also proud of the band's accomplishments and fans that enjoyed the previous album.
Yeah but I mean me personally, I've been a metal head for years, I grew up on rock roll and I just didn't feel it.
The interviewer is claiming expertise in the genre and justifying their personal opinion about the previous album.
Eh, yeah dude I understand what you're trying to-
Ice T is trying to remain respectful and diffuse any tension from the disagreement.
I mean to be honest Ice T, I don't even think you should be in rock any more, I I I I can't feel what you do.
The interviewer is delivering a harsh critique of Ice T's overall ability to perform in this genre.
Eh yeah I understand man, but you know you're not-
Ice T is acknowledging the negativity and trying to remain calm.
Look Ice, I just don't feel what you guys are doin'.
The interviewer is making a final statement of overall dissatisfaction with the group's music.
Yeah dude, feel this! [shoots twice]
Ice T responds with violence, possibly indicating frustration at the criticism or mocking the interviewer's critique by using violence as a response.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: TRACY MARROW
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Ankhwisdom
I think sex is sacred. Energy exchange and deep emotions. I can't just body everyone. Soul ties are real. #pisces
Acquah Dapabi
i totally agree with you sis
Lorna Randle
The reason why I love seeing conversations like these is that people can see our favorite actors and actresses in their real spaces. This allows people to be able to differentiate between the character and the person. Good talk!
CC
Yep I agree, I love the comfortable setting, feet on couch girl talk vibe.
Zanique Henry
I love this conversation. This is something that people are always mute about especially with fear of being judged.
Ma'atsha Tiye Omowale
That part 👏🏽
F.A.H.
Women I know have always had these conversations, just not in/on a public platform.
Rob L Esq.
Men have not been mute about it at all.
Hebrew Warrior Queen: Tasha Sky
Still a virgin and proud of it 😌 so not everyone has a body count
Kesema Walker
Me too love😊