South Central LA’s Ice-T, perhaps the nation’s most prolific rap artist, will appear in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union this evening for what is being dubbed A Conversation with Ice T. As one of the early pioneers of hard-core rap, Ice-T has used his fame to share anti-drug/anti-violence campaigns with campuses across the country.

Censorship, violence and racism are among the topics Ice-T will discuss at the 8 p.m. forum. According to Rusty Poehner, the Memorial Union co-sponsor of the event, Ice-T has been sent a number of recent Iowa State newspaper clippings, including those of the controversial Carrie Chapman Catt issue.

Ice-T first moved to Los Angeles after the early death of both of his parents. While attending Crenshaw High School, he began living on the streets and writing rhyming slogans for local gangs. After four years in the Army, Ice-T returned to LA, where he recorded his first and only local label record, The Coldest Rap.

Ice-T made his major label debut in 1984, appearing on the soundtracks for both Breakin’ and Breakin’ 2: Electric Boogaloo. The artist has gone on to contribute soundtrack singles for Colors, Trespass, Judgment Night, New Jack City, Ricochet and Tank Girl.

The artist formed Rhyme Syndicate Productions in 1985 and a year later signed with Sire/Warner Bros. His first full length disc, Rhyme Pays, was released in 1987 as the first album ever to be voluntarily stickered with a warning label.

Ice-T sent a clear message to his growing audience by producing an anti-gang video in conjunction with 1988’s Colors. That same year, Ice-T testified to a congressional committee about the gang problems in South Central LA.

After the release of Power in 1988 and The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say in 1989, Ice-T made his acting debut starring in the anti-drug flick New Jack City. The artist continued with his anti-gang campaign by appearing with other West Coast rappers in the “We’re All In The Same Gang” single.

Continuing his acting career, Ice-T appeared with Denzel Washington in 1991’s Ricochet and has since starred in Trespass and Johnny Mnemonic. He also released his fourth solo album and formed the heavy metal band Body Count. Ice-T engaged in the first ever Lollapalooza tour and soon after begin working on The Winner Loses, an anit-drug video, which he produced.

Ice-T has continued to dominate the 90s with the release of Home Invasion and the recent Ice-T VI: Return Of The Real. In 1994, he published The Ice Opinion, the artist’s only book.

Students can catch the outspoken rapper tonight at 8 p.m. in the Great Hall. Admission is free for the event.