Ice-T introduced himself as one of the West Coast’s most electrifying rappers. He recorded a string of classic hip-hop albums in the late ’80s, broadening his palette with the infamous Body Count project. He’s now the longest running black actor on television with his role in SVU. In this rare conversation at the 2017 Red Bull Music Academy Festival Los Angeles, Ice-T retraced his steps from becoming an artist to finding new ways to challenge himself.

Interview by Jeff “Chairman” Mao