As rap prophet, street strategist and figurehead for the rage that ignites large masses of American youth, Ice-T is unassailable. Especially noteworthy is his work to form an alliance between the gangstas and headbangers, demographically distinct camps united by anger. Home Invasion laid the groundwork. More radical still was Body Count (1992): black musicians mixing politics and speed metal....

It can't be easy being a self-appointed censor: Not only must you sit and fume as the world goes to hell in a boombox, but you're faced with the time-consuming task of sifting through countless rap and metal albums in order to ferret out offensive material. That's why the P.M.R.C. and its ilk ought to be grateful for Body Count, rap star Ice-T's thrash album, since it provides the porn patrol with...