Tracy Marrow, famously known as Ice-T, is a founding hip-hop figure famous for contributing to the gangster rap genre. He debuted in the late 1980s and quickly became an influential television, film, and music artist.
With such a long and varied career, fans and critics alike have always been curious about the rapper’s wealth. What is Ice-T’s net worth? How rich is the O.G. rapper now?
Let me answer all your burning questions about Tracy Marrow on and off the screen below.
How Much is Ice-T Worth Right Now?
It’s only natural to imagine Ice-T’s wealth to be sizable. Releasing over 17 albums, participating in over 23 films, and winning several awards, the O.G. rapper seems to boast an endless source of income.
As of 2024, estimates suggest Ice-T’s net worth to be around $65 million. Most of his earnings came from his music and acting career, notably his role in the hit drama Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, earning him $250,000 per episode!
Some of Ice-T’s most valuable possessions include a house in Hollywood Hills worth $8.99 million. He also owns a collection of luxurious vehicles ranging from Aston Martins and Rolls Royce to Ferraris.
The legendary hip-hop artist resides with his family in Edgewater, New Jersey. As one of New Jersey’s most affluent neighborhoods, experts estimate that Ice-T’s current home cost the rapper over $11 million.
Who Is Ice T?
With such vast wealth, it’s almost impossible not to wonder about Ice-T’s story. How did the rapper from the coast of New Jersey become one of the wealthiest hip-hop icons?
Early Life
Tracy Lauren Marrow was born in Newark, New Jersey, on February 16, 1958. He grew up in Summit with his parents, Solomon and Alice Marrow. Solomon was an African-American conveyor belt operator, while Alice was a stay-at-home mom.
In an interview, Tracy revealed his experience with racism as a young kid. Expressing his frustration and confusion to his parents, his mother, Alice, would simply smile and answer: “Honey, people are stupid.”
“I guess my mom was preparing me in her own way,” Tracey admitted in the interview. “By downplaying it, [she was] telling me… that I was going to be dealing with [racism] in some way or another for the rest of my life.”
Unfortunately, Alice died of a sudden heart attack when Tracy was in third grade. Her death left behind the young Tracey with his father, Solomon, until his eventual death four years after his wife’s.
Orphaned, the then-13-year-old Tracey was forced to move in with his aunt in Los Angeles. There, Tracey became involved in the illicit activities of city life, a theme that would later riddle his music.
Rapping Career
Before entering the then-budding rap scene, Tracey spent four years in the U.S. military. After his enlistment, he returned to L.A. and started a life as a hustler.
But while crime paid for his lavish lifestyle, Tracy would soon turn over a new leaf. He later revealed in an interview how he came to stop the hustling and began his rap journey.
“I had a friend I looked up to,” Tracey said, recalling the breaking point of his life. “And he said, ‘Yo, Ice, you got a chance. Do that rap thing.”
According to Tracy, the word “chance” completely overturned his prospects. He admitted that the idea of having another shot “messed up” his mind, which ended in him giving up the hustling life entirely.
“I was so programmed into being a hustler that if I hadn’t had the chance to rap, I’d either be dead or in jail,” Tracy later confessed.
The almost miraculous turn of events changed Tracy Marrow’s direction. With Robert Maupin Beck III as inspiration and years of honing his craft, Tracy, a.k.a. Ice-T, signed with a studio in 1987, launching his career.
Hit after hit, Ice-T would be known as one of the most promising rap stars on the West Coast. His album, O.G. Original Gangster, would become a pivotal marking point of the 21st-century hip-hop scene.
Acting Career
Of course, as you know, Ice-T was also building a superb resume on screen. He has appeared in at least 18 productions since 1991 and has continued since.
Some of his notable works in cinema include Ricochet (1991), New Jack City (1991), Surviving the Game (1994), Tank Girl (1995), Exiled (1998), and Equal Standard (2020).
Besides his film works, Ice-T also managed to become successful in Television. He landed the role of Detective Odafin “Fin” Tutuola in the BBC series Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, which ran for more than 500 episodes since 2000.
Family and Relationships
In 1976, Ice-T and his high school girlfriend, Adrienne, welcomed their daughter, LeTesha, who is now 48. They raised her during her high school years. In 1991, Ice-T began a relationship with his former girlfriend, Darlene Ortiz, with whom he had a son, Tracy Jr., now 32 years old.
Two decades later, Ice-T and his wife, Coco Austin, celebrated the birth of their third child, Chanel Nicole, who is now 8 years old, in 2015.
The couple also starred in the reality show about their life, Ice Loves Coco. They’re both extremely vocal about their love on social media. The couple is also incredibly protective of their children and parenting approach.
FAQs
Here are a few commonly asked questions about the legendary rapper you might find fascinating:
What is Ice-T most famous for?
Ice-T is most famous for his contribution to hip-hop music. He was the O.G. of rap and has influenced countless artists, from Eminem to Biggie.
Why did Ice-T choose that name?
Inspired by Robert Maupin Beck III, whose nom de guerre was “Iceberg Slim,” Tracy Lauren Marrow chose “Ice-T” as his stage name. He picked the name as a homage to the pimp that became the famous author.
Final Thoughts
There you have it! That’s everything you need to learn about Ice-T’s net worth and story.
Who knew the orphan from the coast of New Jersey would later become one of the wealthiest rappers of all time? With talent and dedication, he’s now living the dream and more.
If Ice-T’s life doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will!
