Vanilla Ice

Vanilla Ice is back, but he's not like you remember him. If you do remember him then you probably think of 'Ice Ice Baby'. The single was a number one smash in the UK and the US and rocketed the rapper into the celebrity stratosphere.

After that initial high point in 1990, Vanilla Ice never matched his chart success in the UK. There were to be 4 more top 50 singles before he disappeared from the chart view in late 1991.

His new image matches his new sound, described by the man himself as "...much harder and darker because of the issues I am writing about".

In 1994 Vanilla Ice (real name Robert Van Winkle) tried to kill himself on an overdose of drugs. He was still hugely famous around the world and had millions of dollars in the bank.

After his recovery he was inspired to leave the celebrity life to one side and go back to the things that mattered to him. He returned with the album 'Hard To Swallow' in 1998. The album was as much a therapy for himself to deal with hs past.

The latest album titled 'Skabz' is due out later in 2001 and features collaborations with artists such as the Wu-Tang Clan, Lenny Kravitz and Public Enemy. It's firmly aimed at the rap/rock/hip-hop market that contains bands like Korn, Limp Bizkit and Slipknot.

Question of Pop asked Vanilla Ice:

(o)   Do you listen to much British music?
(o)   Musically what direction are you moving in?
(o)   Can we expect to see you over here soon?
(o)   Have you collaborated with anyone recently?
(o)   What do you think of Eminem?

Click here to read a transcript of the interview