Body Count

Launched by Ice-T in 1990, Body Count is known for its audacious blend of political rap and metal. Already established as a rapper with the albums Rhyme Pays (1987) and Power (1988), Tracy Lauren Marrow (b. Newark, NJ, February 16, 1958) had also been a heavy metal fan since his youth, and called on his old school friend, guitarist Ernie C (b. Cunnigan), to foment a lyrical and musical duo combining the two genres, with musicians from their entourage, namely Mooseman (Lloyd Roberts III, bass), Beatmaster V (Victor Ray Wilson, drums) and D-Roc the Executioner (guitar). Presented at the Lollapalooza festival in 1991, the band appeared on the track "Body Count" on Ice-T's O.G. Original Gangster album, before unveiling their homonymous debut album in 1992. The album was immediately the subject of controversy over the track "Cop Killer", and a tug-of-war ensued between its author and Warner Bros., a company that had been challenged all the way to the top of the U.S. government. " Freedom of Speech", featuring Jello Biafra (Dead Kennedys), with music by Jimi Hendrix. Nevertheless, the publicity boosted the album to number 26 in the charts, and surrounded it with a certain aura. After signing with Virgin, Body Count repeated their explosive combination on Born Dead (1994), including their version of "Hey Joe", with less success (#74 in the U.S.). In 1997, his successor Violent Demise: Last Days was recorded with Griz, who had replaced Mooseman (killed in a shoot-out in 2001), while Beatmaster V died of leukemia on April 30, 1996, at the end of the sessions. The death of D-Roc the Executioner from lymphoma in 2004 plunged the band further into silence until the recording, with a much-changed line-up, of the album Murder 4 Hire (2006), for the independent label Escapi Music. After a further hiatus, Body Count gradually made a comeback with a series of concerts in 2009 and the composition of "The Gears of War" for the soundtrack of the Gears of War 3 video game in 2011. Released in 2014 by Sumerian Records, the fifth album Manslaughter sees the arrival of guitarist Juan of the Dead (Juan Garcia) and drummer Ill Will. In 2017, Bloodlust was released by metal label Century Media Records, featuring Max Cavalera (Sepultura), Dave Mustaine (Megadeth) and Randy Blythe (Lamb of God). In addition to their cover of Slayer's "Raining Blood", the song "Black Hoodie " is nominated for a Grammy Award. Thirty years after its formation, Body Count unveiled the album Carnivore in 2020, featuring a cover of Motörhead's "Ace of Spades " and contributions from Dave Lombardo (Slayer), Amy Lee (Evanescence), Jamey Jasta (Hatebreed), Riley Gale (Power Trip) and Jello Biafra. Two years later follows Merciless, with Corpsegrinder, Howard Jones and a cover of Pink Floyd's "Confortably Numb".

Please enable Javascript to view this page competely.