The Heat Turns Out for Ice-T Rap Concert

Rapper Ice-T, whose expletive-filled “Cop Killer” recording angered law enforcement officers and their supporters who accused him of encouraging the killing of police, came to North Hollywood for a concert Friday night--and the police were ready for him.

His sold-out concert at the 1,200-seat Electric Ballroom went off without a hint of trouble, contrary to the expectations of authorities, judging from the heavy police presence outside the former movie theater-turned-nightclub.

At least 60 uniformed Los Angeles police officers were on hand outside the concert hall, a plainclothes officer was inside the building and two other officers were stationed atop a bank building across the street. At least one Lankershim Boulevard merchant took the precaution of boarding up his business.

But to many concert-goers, it seemed like overkill as the concert began uneventfully.

“There are more cops out here than at Florence and Normandie,” during the riots, said Nathan Mahan, 26, of Sylmar.

“The only trouble here is the cops,” Sal Gonzalez, 23, of Arleta, said. “They don’t need to be here. It’s just a concert.”

Ice-T’s song “Cop Killer” has stirred the anger of police officers nationwide and spurred demands that Time Warner Inc. and retailers discontinue sales of the rapper’s “Body Count” album.

Councilman Joel Wachs also showed up to signal his disapproval of Ice-T’s message.

“It’s a democracy and Ice-T has a constitutional right to express himself, but we have a duty to denounce the advocating of the taking of life,” the councilman said, standing with the officers in front of the theater.

Los Angeles Police Capt. Chuck Labrow defended the police presence, saying authorities wanted to be prepared in the event of trouble at the rapper’s first local appearance since the flap over “Cop Killer.”

“Police won’t incite anything,” Labrow said, adding that he was making an effort “to be as upfront as possible” with Ice-T’s fans. Indeed, a sergeant and several officers were stationed near the entrance to the building, greeting concert-goers.

“Most police disagree with (Ice-T’s) message,” Labrow said. “But we can put our feelings aside and be professionals.”

Across the street, two protesters held up placards critical of the rapper.

“There’s two things that really get my goat. One is burning the flag and the other is singing about it being OK to shoot cops,” said Lee Thurmond, 29, of Chatsworth, who held a sign that said, “Put Ice-T on Ice.”

While many fans commented on the police show of force as they filed by, some said they had other things on their minds.

Paul Myron, 22, of North Hollywood said he was pleased to have been released from the Men’s Central Jail in Los Angeles in time to attend.

“Everybody down there is talking about Ice-T,” he said. “I just had to be here.”

The Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday joined the County Board of Supervisors in approving a measure to suppress sales of the album that includes the controversial rap.

“Cop Killer” includes the lyrics, “I’m ‘bout to dust some cops off,” and “Die, die, die, pig, die!”

In addition to the heavy police presence, event organizers took the extra precaution of using metal detectors to search for weapons as concert-goers filed into the hall, causing a long delay for many trying to take their seats.

John Parker, a 32-year-old Los Angeles man, held a sign demanding a boycott of Time Warner.

“They’re letting me down by financing this incitement to attack police officers,” he said. “If Ice-T has a right to rap about it, then I have the right to stand out here and let people know how I feel.”

The rapper’s loyal fans took a different view.

“It’s stupid that they’re making such a big deal over” the lyrics, said Mike Hershfield, 18, of Downey. “All the controversy does is sell more albums.”

“Nobody is going to kill a cop because of this song, but a lot of people are going to buy the record” because of the publicity storm it aroused, said Pamela Wynne, 43, of North Hollywood.

“Look at Dan Quayle. . . . I mean Quayle’s giving him free advertising by dissing him,” she said.

“Killing cops is bad, but I just love the music. I just love the way people in America get so excited about these things,” said Naga Shimizu, 21, of Tokyo, who went to the show with his girlfriend, who does not speak English.