On Ice-T's 1991 classic O.G. Original Gangster, he introduced his all-Black hardcore band Body Count with lead guitarist Ernie C, bringing them on the first-ever Lollapalooza tour that summer. The next year, Body Count's self-titled debut album, rounded out by rhythm guitarist D-Roc the Executioner, bassist Mooseman, and drummer Beatmaster V, made them the most incendiary band in the world, confronting white supremacy and police brutality with pulverizing songs that shattered musical boundaries. Body Count's rage and shock humor sparked nationwide protests and boycotts, including death threats, censure from the federal government, a spot on the FBI National Threat list, and a denunciation by the President of the United States. The album was removed from stores and remains banned to this day, but decades later Body Count are performing to their biggest audiences and greatest acclaim, pulling off one of the most remarkable comebacks in punk or metal history. Drawn from years of research and dozens of new interviews, this is the story of a band of high school friends who revolutionized modern music, brought explosive live performances, and raised questions America's lawmakers didn't want to answer, overcoming some of the country's most powerful forces to reshape the world's cultural conversation.

Body Count's first album caused nationwide protests, was denounced by the President and eventually pulled from stores, but thirty years later Body Count is inspiring major movements and winning a 2021 Grammy

About the Author
Ben Apatoff is a New York-based writer and educator whose work has been published in Metal Injection, The New York Daily News, The Deli, Electric Literature, Beyond Race, and Outburn. He is the author of Metallica (2021).

Reviews
Fascinating ... examines the cause celebre surrounding the Nineties' most dangerous song. * Rolling Stone *
The greatest story ever told. * Gerard Cosloy *
One of the most thought provoking and thoroughly researched entries in the Bloomsbury 33 1/3 series. * Jesse Rifkin, author of This Must be the Place *
one of the most important stories in music history * Music Connection *
A thoroughly researched and engaging exploration of both the origin and social relevance of Ice-T's hardcore band Body Count and their self-titled album. * David Gutowski, Largehearted Boy *
Superb. * Shawn Setaro, author of Dummy Boy: Tekashi 6ix9ine and The Nine Trey Gangsta Bloods *
A read appealing both to longtime metalheads and those who only know the barest of details. * The Pitch *
A concise and informative read. * Under the Radar *



Book Information
ISBN 9781501389078
Author Ben Apatoff
Format Paperback
Page Count 184
Imprint Bloomsbury Academic USA
Publisher Bloomsbury Publishing Plc