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Fame
and Fortune: Vanilla Ice
Reality TV and real estate pad the rapper's pockets |
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| Bankrate:
Speaking of work -- what are you working on these days?
Vanilla Ice: I have
a new tour, 100 shows. I just got back from Canada. Then, I'm touring
all over America, then Russia, Prague, Amsterdam. I'm doing a voice-over
for an animated series, "Bucky and Poncho," for Adult
Swim (an adult-oriented programming block on the Cartoon Network).
I'm doing a tour with Insane Clown Posse, the "Hallowicked
Tour." I'm doing all kinds of things. I'm working on an album
to come out next year, "31 Flavors." Things have picked
up a lot, TV has helped. I'm on TV a lot: "Celebrity Survivor,"
MTV's "Damage Control." I have a whole subculture flowering.
Bankrate: You are concerned
about keeping your image real. How did appearing on "The Surreal
Life" fit into that? You seemed a lot more mature than anyone
there.
Vanilla Ice: It was
like a normal person walking into a circus. I didn't know what would
happen; I didn't know who else would be with me. I had it written
into my contract that I could walk off at any time. You see, I had
a little hint that they were going to try to humiliate me. I met
Tammy Faye. I didn't know who she was, I don't watch televangelism
shows. But I talked to her and got to know her. Then, I saw Eric
Estrada. I thought, "My mom would love this!" She about
had a heart attack when I called her and told her Eric Estrada was
there. Then, there was Ron Jeremy, the legend. He's really intelligent.
I still remain friends with him; he calls every week. He taught
me to lighten up, like when we went into the karaoke bar and they
wanted me to sing. I've lightened up. Therapy comes from all corners.
These days, "The Surreal Life" seems even more set up;
they all hate each other. They're doing it to stimulate their careers.
I could care less about stimulating my career. I was in it for the
adventure. If it were cheesy, I'd have walked off. I was not going
to let them humiliate me. I wasn't even going to do it. They were
like, "Please, we'll give you more money." But, it wasn't
about the money.
Bankrate:
You are purposely trying to market to a younger, pierced crowd. Why?
Vanilla Ice: Honestly,
the audience picks us. Rap music is for young people. The people
who are my age, who were listening to "Ice Ice Baby,"
are into mortgages, babies and Starbucks. If I had been doing regular
songs in 1991, I wouldn't have had a chance in hell to have a comeback.
I'm like the Grateful Dead, I have people coming 600, 700 miles
to see my shows. If I have a show in Montana, they'll be people
who come from New York. I'm on a first-name basis with many of them.
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