The mutual friendship and respect between rapper and actor Ice-T and metalcore (Hatebreed), hardcore (Icepick) and even sludge metal (Kingdom of Sorrow) vocalist Jamey Jasta is one to behold.
The relationship had previously led to Ice-T’s legendary crossover thrash metal band Body Count to include a song, titled “Pop Bubble” four years ago on the band’s 2014 return album Manslaughter.
At Download Festival this past weekend, the duo’s friendship had another opportunity to shine where Jamey Jasta joined Body Count on stage as they performed their infamously titled song, “Cop Killer,” from the band’s self-titled debut record from 1992. Despite the controversial subject matter (and even more controversial back in 1992, only four years after N.W.A. had dropped their infamous “Fuck Tha Police”), both the band and the audience seems to be enjoying the music.
Jasta and Hatebreed seems to have a particular affinity for sharing the stage with other artists, as evidenced by performances of “Doomsayer” with Randy Blythe of Lamb of God, Motörhead songs with Power Trip, and even a member of G.W.A.R. Body Count, lately has been riding the wave of their 6th album Bloodlust, which saw release just last year in March, with music videos being released up to this past May.
More specifically, Jasta has recently been releasing music again under his solo moniker, (unceremoniously named) Jasta. Last year, he dropped a single titled “Chasing Demons,” which featured ex-Killswitch Engage vocalist Howard Jones, and just this May saw the release of “13 Appears,” a collaboration with Prong’s vocalist Tommy Victor. The vocalist will also be touring in August as “Jasta and Friends,” some of the titular ‘Friends’ including Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares and Crowbar’s Kirk Weindstein.
Check out a video of the performance of “Cop Killer” below.
Photo Credit: Mauricio Alvarado