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Live from Abu Dhabi Connect the World takes you on a journey across continents, investigating the stories that are changing our world.
Monday's Connector: Vanilla Ice
If you called him by his real name, most people would never know who Robert Van Winkle is– but, if you mention the name Vanilla Ice, that's a different story.
The 90s pop star became the first hip hop artist to ever reach the Billboard number one with his infamous single, "Ice Ice Baby".
Today, he's credited with helping bring hip hop and rap music to a mainstream audience.
Some of his other chart topping singles include "Play that Funky Music" and "Hooked".
Vanilla Ice has also had a string of notable appearances on film. He starred in the 1991 cult classic, "Cool as Ice" and received the Golden Raspberry award for worst new star.
However, after his initial success, Vanilla Ice struggled to keep his life in order because of mounting financial problems and a history of drug abuse.
Vanilla Ice attempted suicide in 1994, but after being revived from a heroin overdose, he pledged to change his lifestyle and get his music career back on track.
Today, the pop star is featured on the debut single of the Irish duo John & Edward.
Here's your chance to ask Vanilla Ice a question.
Does he ever get sick of hearing "Ice Ice Baby"? Maybe you want to know why he has teamed up with a pair of realtiy television stars. Where does he seem music today?
On Twitter
ice ice baby was a great song.
What was it like having a cameo in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze?
Hey Robert,
"Success" by itself, as many have found, isn't all where its at. Yet many among us, having never achieved what people like you have, can't see past the illusion.
Any particular insights stand out for you as you've found meaning beyond "success"? If you had to do it all over, what might be different that us commoners should understand?
Hey, I still turn up "Ice, Ice" whenever I hear it.
Many thanks.
What was the initial signs of your downfall? And what kept you going after you hit rock bottom?
More power to you. Hope you get to do another snazzy song like ICE ICE BABY.
Yo Ice,
We took a few shots at McFadden's a while back.
Have you ever thought about creating your own brand of alcohol? Possibly something similar to Jagermeister... maybe FunkMeister or Go-NinjaMeister?
All the best
-C from Boston
You were one of the pioneers bringing hip hop into the light.
Do you have the respect from the current hip hop community?
I saw your tattooed fingers in the photo on this page, and was wondering if you had considered what to do if you should accidently lose a finger- I knew a bloke who had "Love" and "Hate" on his fingers, he lost his little finger and it said "Love" and "Hat" after that- it seems the options are limited, but here's my thoughts should anything bad happen [hope it doesn't by the way]- oh, and Ice, Ice Baby is brilliant.- options:
IDEO PEN
WIDEOPE
WIEOPEN
WEOPEN [definitely hope this isn't the case, although you could open a 7-11 or other retail store]
Well, you get the idea.
Thanks for many years of entertainment mate.
Ice,
Do you still have that white 5 liter GT, that thing was hot. I would like to buy that from you.
G
Thanks for leading me to rediscover Queen, via those accusations that your samples from "Under Pressure" were illegal.
The row over whether or not you sampled "Under Pressure" would play out very differently under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. What thoughts do you have about the balance between protection and restriction the act offers.
How aware/what are your thoughts about your role as a successful white artist in a historically black medium, how different or similar are you to an Elvis or Eminem?
Thanks!
If the Universe is expanding like what's outside it man?
You got a lotta fans out here. Thank you for the music. Best to you!
professor...what iz whack?
I remember watching you on the surreal life or something and you were saying you hated the 'Ice Ice Baby' song, time period, or whatever. Christ man, you were successful as hell, and will have much more success in the future. Be proud of that song. Be proud of that album and time. You entertained. That's what it's all about.
I know you've gotten a hard time because of that song... but there's no shame. For it's place and time, it was awesome and nobody could have done it like you. This is not coming out the way I want it to, but what I'm saying is be proud of your accomplishments and never be ashamed of something that was so great for so many people. You don't have to live up to all the other rules and bullshit that other people impose. If you're forever remembered for "Ice Ice Baby", then you'll be remembered for success.
What's Ron Jeremy really like?
WE MISSED YOU AND WE LOVE ICE ICE BABY!!!! HAPPY TO SE YOU ARE AROUND! PEACE
Vanilla Ice- wow, slow news day or what? I'd say I couldn't care less about this guy but I never did.
What type of music do you enjoy listening to when no-one else is around that is outside of your genre?
You should rap again, your beats and lyrics were crazy, you have a great talent. Im from Guatemala I remember everyone loved your music down here
what was it like being the White MC Hammer?
cant touch dis!
ahhahahhahahha
If you could change anything from those years what would it be....??
And I've heard you tell conflicting stories of the "Suge Incident".....can you tell me what really happened on the balcony ??
Hey Ice, I heard you teamed up with MC hammer for a concert in Utah, is that true? And if so, will you do it again? I think that would be awesome. Anyways, thanks for your music, I still love to hear ice ice baby on the juke box or radio from time to time.
How does it feel to be the butt of every REAL rapper's jokes?
Robert,
As someone who has struggled with addiction nearly my entire life, I commend you for your courage and your humility. Addiction is a very misunderstood disease. People are very quick to condemn and very slow to sympathize.
I've also found that people in the States are also very quick to criticize once famous people after their fame wears off... making fun of one's previous accomplishments and laughing at them once their "shine" wears off.
Don't let the unenlightened people of the world bring you down to their meager level of judgement and their self-serving, self-righteous and attitudes of superiority. At the same time, don't judge them for they way they are... they just have not learned the gift of compassion and what it means to be a human being. (Think Dallas... I once lived in the "Big D").
I wish you the best of luck my brother... keep on doing whatever it is that makes you happy. We all deserve happiness.
Take care!
Yo Ice,
What is the future of rap.... I mean c'mon nobody selling much these days ?? Is Rap ever going to take on the issues that everybody faces and or is it just going to be personality and money circus ?
Hello Mr. Van Winkle ,
Can you please help clear up this urban legend?
Is it true that you were hung over a balcony and threatened with death unless you signed over a portion of your royalties?
Thank you. Wishing you the best with your new endeavors.
A-Dub
Osaka, Japan
When are you going to answer these questions? I'm most interested in your responses to Boston Celtic and G$
Hi Ice,
I wish you the best! It is sad the way rap/hip hop has turned out. It must have been hard to deal with the likes of Suge Knight and the rap mafia. Your originality is important.
Best regards,
Damian
I think false.I think Falwell.
I thought I knew about Vanilla Ice – but I didn't – I saw the true story recently – you were a rapper with some real props – then you signed that deal – and made that track – and we all know the rest ... my question is this: Why don't you get some decent management – somebody who can take the whole thing and flip it – you cannot overstate the value of being Known by everybody in the world – and there is only one thing worse than being talked about ... another insanely catchy tune would be an amazing twist. Personally I would love to see certain people eat that.
Hello,
What are your thoughts on religion? Have you ever had a chance to speak with anyone regarding ISLAM? I accepted Islam 12 years ago and its the best thing that could have happened to me. Dont believe the hype and media when it comes to Islam, they dont know!
Look into it, keep your heart open!
Salaam (Peace)
Naeem
I've read that you have monkees, a kangaroo, a goat and a lynx... What's one animal you'd like to have, but don't (or can't)?
Keep on givin us hits
i am musical artist from Nigeria, how can i become great like you? thanks
ì am 22yrs, i love you and i would love to be with you forever. pls come and adopt me in Nigeria. my email is lilcent_aoc@yahoo.com phone +2348038650761
What is the secret of your success,vanila ice
I hola u Mr.Ice.i wana knw the people u where raping with at dat early dayz'90z.did u have rivals.was it all about gun blasing or marijuana smoking.if allowd to compare and contrast b/w now and then whats da differenc in da flavour of rap music.are d new generation rappers dropping like its hot or not?
I wish you the very best and i pray that my God Continues to bless you in all you do mostly hiphop and take back to bilboard
Are u goin 2 team up wit gunit 4 ur next album.
if u were 2 make a last wish,wat ld dat be?
Ur d most coolest raper i've ever seen.My question is,how can u compire today rap music n your own time?
.My question is,how can u compire today rap music n your own time?
How can u compire 2days rap music to ur own time?
Vanilla watz up with u, hope kool. my question is when are going to release your new album for us & tell us a real man dat u will like to feature in your album & also tell us how u sympatise with hiati people thanks
I wish to be as successful like you, what advice will you give to me as an upcoming artist that i am?
David,
Nigeria.
Pls how can you compare the pop of old to this present pop? I wish u goodluck and success.
Your track 'ice ice baby' was a boom guys love it girls go crazy over it u are something else now dat u are making a comeback wat should we expect of ur music, what are the message you will sending with ur music? Jimoh from Abuja Nigeria
what're the greatest success principle that kept you up
Can u stil perform on stage? If so i wld like u 2 come 2 nigeria 2 perform.
we nigerians would like to see u here
Except a man is born again,he/she can never enter into God's kingdom.You are too FAMOUS and GREAT to be HELL.Accept the salvation through Jesus Christ and freely make it on EARTH and make HEAVEN which is EVERLASTING.
What's the best club in South Beach?
Damn u havent really aged since I was a kid