Ice-T started in 1982 out with other West Coast rap pioneers such as Kid Frost, DJ Flash, and The Egyptian Lover with Electro recordings. Later on, he changed his style and was the first West Coast rapper to be accepted by the East Coast. 6 'n The Mornin is sometimes seen as the track that triggered the whole gangster rap movement. It was produced by The Unknown DJ, who produced electro funk tracks before and went on to produce Compton's Most Wanted. The song was inspired by Schoolly D's "P.S.K. What Does It Mean?" and became itself the inspiration for Eazy-E and N.W.A's Boyz-N-The-Hood. Ice-T went on to work with Afrika Islam, the man behind the beats on 1987's Rhyme Pays, 1988's Power and 1989's The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech... Just Watch What You Say.
He also is a star in Law in Order: Special Victims Unit.
In 1992 he created the crossover band Body Count with 4 other black musicians.
The Iceberg
Ice-T Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
What's that spell? Iceberg, nigga, can't you read?
Time to bleed, slaughter, slice
Try to say I wasn't nice as we waxed them punks like lab mice
Dice 'em up, slice 'em up, dissect
Put you in a boilin' pot and let your ass sweat
Cos I rap on game you think I'm weak in a freestyle?
Well 911 you should dial
Think we got knives and guns? We got bombs, kid
Blow up your whole block, ya hear the gunshots
Throw you in the Syndicate cellar and let your body rot
Cos I'm the coldest motherfucker that you ever heard
Call me The Ice...or just The Iceberg
Evil E was out coolin' with a freak one night
Fucked the bitch with a flashlight
Pulled it out and left the batteries in
So he could get a charge when he begin
Used his dick, the shit was tight
Bitch's titties start blinkin' like tail lights
Rolled her over to change a connection
The bitch's ugly face cold spoiled his erection
I'm the Ice rhymer, a big timer
And yes I'm a pimp and a player and a hustler and kinda
A mack and a poet, impressive I know it
Don't only rhyme for niggas cos I live my life co-ed
On the mic it's livin' breathin' hype
A 1989 type Dolemite
Cool motherfucker, word
Call me The Ice...or just The Iceberg
Charlie Jamm fucked a freak on a ski-lift
10 below, gave her the dick
It was cold and she said "Quit!"
Charlie Jamm said "Bullshit!"
She said "Oh, oh, oh my god!"
Charlie's dick was frozen hard
But she said she never felt it
Maybe Charlie's dick melted
Yes, I'm the rhyme kicker, the hard liquor
Parental Guidance Sticker? Yeah, I'm the nigga
Triple X is how I rate
I'm the one your parents hate
I'm as cold as cold can get
Under pressure never sweat
Cool motherfucker, word
Call me The Ice...or just The Iceberg
Out with the posse on a night run
Girls on the corner, so let's have some fun
Donald asked one if she was game
Back Alley Sally was her name
She moved on the car and moved fast
On the window pressed her ass
All at once we heard a crash
Donald's dick had broke the glass
Yes, I'm the big wheeler, the girl stealer
And if we play cards don't let me be the dealer
The Ice, cool as water, hard as stone
The black mack of the microphone
Talkin' shit the way I do
Rhyme Pays, the posse grew
Did you like Power? Word
Well this is The Ice...or just The Iceberg
The song "The Iceberg" by Ice-T comes from his third studio album of the same name released in 1989. The song has heavy, aggressive beats and powerful lyrics with a central theme revolving around violence, sexuality, and drug abuse. The first verse of the song starts with Ice-T challenging his critics, hinting about his violent streak, and boasting of inflicting fear upon those who dare to go against him. The next verse is about the sexual exploits of his entourage, Evil E and Charlie Jamm. The verses are filled with profanity and vivid descriptions that reveal the dark, dangerous, and hedonistic lifestyle of Ice-T and his crew.
The song is a reflection of the social issues prevalent in the black ghettos of America, including gang violence, drug abuse, poverty, and sexual exploitation. The repeated use of the words 'nigga' and 'bitch' reinforces the idea of black male masculinity that is often linked to violence and aggression. The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the societal forces that push young black men towards self-destruction and crime. Moreover, it can also be seen as a critique of the media's portrayal of black people as criminals, drug addicts, and sexual predators.
Overall, "The Iceberg" is a gritty and raw song that reveals the darker side of life in America's inner cities. The use of vivid language and explicit descriptions gives an authentic feel to the song, providing a glimpse into the harsh realities of life for many black youth growing up in urban America.
Line by Line Meaning
I-C-E B-E-R-G
Iceberg, spelled out letter-by-letter for emphasis
What's that spell? Iceberg, nigga, can't you read?
Questioning the listener's ability to read, spelling out iceberg once again, and emphasizing the point of the song
Time to bleed, slaughter, slice
Using violent imagery to suggest dominating and overpowering opponents
Try to say I wasn't nice as we waxed them punks like lab mice
Proving someone wrong who doubted their ability and claiming a victory, using a metaphor of a laboratory experiment
Dice 'em up, slice 'em up, dissect
Elaborating further on the violent imagery and suggesting precision
Put you in a boilin' pot and let your ass sweat
Continuing to use violent imagery with a reference to boiling, punishment, and suffering
Cos I rap on game you think I'm weak in a freestyle?
Challenging those who doubt their ability to freestyle and asserting their dominance in the rap game
Well 911 you should dial
Warning anyone who dares to mess with them that they could get hurt or worse
Before my posse makes a move on your mom's crib
Threatening their opponent's family and suggesting violence
Think we got knives and guns? We got bombs, kid
Boasting about their weaponry and suggesting they are not to be underestimated
Blow up your whole block, ya hear the gunshots
Using violent imagery to suggest total destruction and chaos
Throw you in the Syndicate cellar and let your body rot
Suggesting punishment, torture, and death, continuing to use violent imagery
Cos I'm the coldest motherfucker that you ever heard
Boasting about their toughness, referring to themselves as 'cold' meaning they are unfeeling and tough
Call me The Ice...or just The Iceberg
Reiterating the point of the song and claiming their 'Ice' moniker
Evil E was out coolin' with a freak one night
Telling a story about Evil E's sexual escapades
Fucked the bitch with a flashlight
Use of crass language and graphic sexual imagery
Pulled it out and left the batteries in
Continuing to use crass language and sexual imagery
So he could get a charge when he begin
Using a pun to suggest a sexual double meaning
Used his dick, the shit was tight
Continuing to use crass language and graphic sexual imagery with a suggestion of prowess
Bitch's titties start blinkin' like tail lights
Using crass and vulgar language to refer to the physical reaction of the woman
Rolled her over to change a connection
Continuing to use sexual language with a metaphorical reference to fixing a problem
The bitch's ugly face cold spoiled his erection
The story ends poorly for Evil E, when an unattractive face ruins his sexual encounter
I'm the Ice rhymer, a big timer
Reintroducing themselves and boasting of their fame and skills
And yes I'm a pimp and a player and a hustler and kinda
Boasting about their lifestyle and personality
A mack and a poet, impressive I know it
Continuing to boast about their skills and hinting at their intelligence
Don't only rhyme for niggas cos I live my life co-ed
Suggesting they don't limit their music to a single audience and live a diverse lifestyle
On the mic it's livin' breathin' hype
Describing the thrill of being a hip-hop performer and how they excel at it
A 1989 type Dolemite
Referencing the Blaxploitation film character known for his swagger and quick wit
Cool motherfucker, word
Reiterating their status as a smooth and tough character
Charlie Jamm fucked a freak on a ski-lift
Starting another story about a sexual encounter, continuing the vulgar tone of the song
10 below, gave her the dick
Continuing the sexual story with a reference to cold temperatures
It was cold and she said "Quit!"
Continuing to use vulgar language and sexual imagery
Charlie Jamm said "Bullshit!"
Continuing the story with Charlie Jamm's defiance
She said "Oh, oh, oh my god!"
Another vulgar reference to the woman's physical reaction
Charlie's dick was frozen hard
Continuing to use vulgar language with a metaphorical reference to the cold weather
But she said she never felt it
Continuing to use vulgar language with a suggestion of disappointment
Maybe Charlie's dick melted
Continuing the sexual story with a vulgar pun
Yes, I'm the rhyme kicker, the hard liquor
Reintroducing themselves and demonstrating their skills and lifestyle
Parental Guidance Sticker? Yeah, I'm the nigga
Boasting about their explicit content and pushing boundaries
Triple X is how I rate
Reiterating their explicit content and adult themes
I'm the one your parents hate
Asserting that they are a controversial figure and causing upset or offense in some
I'm as cold as cold can get
Reintroducing their 'Ice' persona and referring to their unfeeling and tough character
Under pressure never sweat
Suggesting that they are not intimidated by difficult situations and cope well with stress
Cool motherfucker, word
Reiterating their status as a smooth and tough character
Out with the posse on a night run
Starting another story and suggesting they are out with friends
Girls on the corner, so let's have some fun
Continuing the story and suggesting they are on the lookout for women
Donald asked one if she was game
Continuing the story with a named character
Back Alley Sally was her name
Naming the woman interested in them
She moved on the car and moved fast
Describing the woman's sexual advances and enthusiasm
On the window pressed her ass
Using vulgar language to describe the sexual act
All at once we heard a crash
Using sudden language to suggest something unexpected is about to happen
Donald's dick had broke the glass
Continuing the vulgar and sexual story by suggesting Donald is very well-endowed
The Ice, cool as water, hard as stone
Reintroducing their 'Ice' persona and suggesting they are calm and strong
The black mack of the microphone
Using humor to suggest they excel at hip-hop and are also a 'Mack Daddy'
Talkin' shit the way I do
Bravado language to suggest they talk tough and back it up
Rhyme Pays, the posse grew
Referencing their album and suggesting their success has allowed them to grow a larger group of supporters
Did you like Power? Word
Asking their listeners if they enjoyed their previous album
Well this is The Ice...or just The Iceberg
Reiterating the point of the song and using humor to suggest they have many names
Lyrics © REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ICE T, JOHNNY RAMISTELLA
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind