Shanghai, prepare yourself for a 'Home Invasion'

Rapper and hardened TV detective Ice-T has been booked[1] to play at Shanghai's Club Pegasus on July 21, alongside fellow Rhyme Syndicate member Afrika Islam. As an originator of "true story" gangsta rap, as well as the man who did battle with ultra-conservative Tipper Gore over his heavy metal band's single "Cop Killer," we can't help but admire the ambitious promoters who've orchestrated the New Jack Hustler's impending arrival in China.

Just two years ago, the relatively inoffensive Rolling Stones were barely able to obtain permission to play in Shanghai, and then only after they had signed a contract agreeing not to play such morally vague songs as "Brown Sugar" and "Beast of Burden." Mayhap[2] the censors preferred they retitle these timeless dirges as "Lily-White Sugar" and "Happy Peasant"? (Shanghai never found out, anyway -- a "mysterious illness" chased the Stones from China.)

Ice-T has had his share of controversial songs. (Wonder if he'll play this one?) But we're confident Ice is not a man to be impressed by censors of any kind, and considering the fiery delivery of this seminal street poet and advocate of the pimp business model, it should be a hell of a show. Ice-T's wife/manager/swimsuit model Coco (site not necessarily "work safe") will be accompanying Ice and Afrika on a whirlwind tour of Asia, no doubt sowing seeds of envy in the modest bosoms of local ladies. Can we put in our request for his cover of War's "Heartbeat" now?

[1] Yes, we originally said this was just a rumor. We were wrong ... happily.
[2] And yes, "mayhap" is a word.