Ice Ice Baby is a song that transcends time and still resonates with people today. It’s also the track that propelled Vanilla Ice into stardom and wealth.
In this article, I dive into Vanilla Ice’s net worth, past challenges, and rise to fame. You may be surprised to learn how much the singer overcame to make his fortune!
Who Is Vanilla Ice?
Robert Matthew Van Winkle, or Vanilla Ice, is an American singer, TV host, and actor. He’s also the first white solo star in the rap music genre.
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You may know Vanilla Ice because of his popular breakout song Ice Ice Baby. The song became a staple in clubs and events in the 90s. It sold 15 million copies and was the first rap title to land on the Billboard 100.
Simply put, Vanilla Ice was the singer who put rap into mainstream American music!
Vanilla Ice’s Early Life
Vanilla Ice was born on October 31, 1967, in Dallas, Texas. His father left when he was only four, leaving his mother, Camilla Beth, to raise him alone.
Unfortunately, Vanilla Ice had to navigate poverty growing up. He often got poor grades and skipped classes, dropping out of high school as a result.
Even so, music was always in his life as his mother was a piano teacher.
As he grew older, Vanilla Ice began earning money by washing cars. This was where he got into the dancing culture.
Afterward, he joined a club as a performer, rapper, and dancer. The audience called him Vanilla Ice because of his skin color.
Vanilla Ice’s Rise to Fame
Once he was on stage, it didn’t take long for Ice to get discovered. In 1989, Vanilla Ice signed a deal with SBK Records and released his first album.
His track Play That Funky Music didn’t do well, but Vanilla Ice rose to stardom a year later. This was when the local DJ finally played Ice Ice Baby, a song from the same album.
In 1991, Ice shifted his career to acting. He was in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. Later, he released another album called Mind Blown, which didn’t last long. SBK Records went bankrupt in 1994.
What Is Vanilla Ice’s Net Worth?
As of 2024, Vanilla Ice’s net worth is $14 million. He earns $1 million a year from investments, royalties, and concerts.
Ice also has a reality TV show called The Vanilla Ice Project, giving him extra income. The show explores Vanilla Ice’s real estate business.
What Were Vanilla Ice’s Financial Challenges?
Vanilla Ice struggled financially following the bankruptcy of SBK Records. He developed a drug addiction and nearly died.
On top of this, David Bowie and Queen sued Ice for copyright infringement. They claimed that Ice Ice Baby copied the bass line of Under Pressure.
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Vanilla Ice had to pay an undisclosed settlement to resolve the issue outside of court.
How Vanilla Ice Overcame His Financial Crisis
Lucky for Ice, he still received royalties for his previous hit song. With help from his family and friends, he invested the Ice Ice Baby money into real estate.
Real estate let Vanilla Ice diversify his income. He further capitalized on the new business with a reality TV show.
Moreover, Ice came back to the entertainment industry with a new album called Hard to Swallow.
He explored other genres with Bi-Polar, WTF, and Platinum Underground. Plus, he starred in the Adam Sandler film That’s My Boy!
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What Are Vanilla Ice’s Assets?
After establishing a new business, Vanilla Ice started to increase his net worth. Today, he lives in a mansion near Palm Beach.
His home features a custom-made pool, 24-karat chandeliers, and gilded ceilings. The marble flooring alone cost a quarter of a million dollars.
Additionally, he owns 20 Yamaha sports bikes as a former Florida motocross champion. He also loves water sports so he bought a speed boat and 15 jet skis.
Vanilla Ice’s Charity Work
Despite the fortune he built up, Vanilla Ice never forgets his roots. He works with Bronx House Pizza to host charity events for terminally ill children.
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Vanilla Ice also donates to Little Smiles, an organization for children with traumas with abandonment.
The Takeaway
Vanilla Ice is an inspirational rapper who overcame his financial challenges. He got through lawsuits and drug addictions to become the man he is today.
It’s safe to say we can use him as a role model whenever we face difficulties ourselves.
