Body Count

Body Count is a North American heavy metal and Hardcore punk band headed by rapper Ice-T, who always refers to it as being a metal band. The band was formed in Los Angeles, Calif

Body Count is a North American heavy metal and Hardcore punk band headed by rapper Ice-T, who always refers to it as being a metal band. The band was formed in Los Angeles, California in 1990. They are believed to be a predecessor of many rapcore and rapmetal bands, although Ice-T never rapped in any of their songs up until their latest album. In 1992 they caused a nation-wide controversy with the song "Cop Killer".

Besides Ice-T (on vocals and production), the original line-up consisted of Ernie C (lead guitar and co-production), Mooseman (bass), Beatmaster V (drums) and D-Roc (rhythm guitar). The band's first appearance was the song Body Count on Ice-T's solo album OG: Original Gangster (1991). Body Count's debut album Body Count (1992) attacked, in graphic terms, various aspects of racism and criminality in South Central Los Angeles (now South Los Angeles), including corrupt police officers. A few months after its release, police groups, parent groups and other advocates began protesting the song Cop Killer. Weeks later, according to his own words in his book The Ice Opinion: Who Gives a Fuck? (1994), Ice-T decided to remove the song from the album; it was re-issued under the band's name and included a rock-flavored remix of an older Ice-T solo song Freedom Of Speech with Jello Biafra of the Dead Kennedys providing some vocals from a spoken word performance. However, after this incident the band was released from the contract with their record label Warner Brothers.