Warner Brothers Records, which last year was at the center of a national controversy over Ice-T's song "Cop Killer," has released the rap and rock artist from his recording contract because of what it calls "creative differences." The company has also abandoned plans to release his new album next month.
A statement released Wednesday by Warner Brothers said that by "mutual agreement," Ice-T had been "granted an unconditional release" from his contract. The statement did not specify the differences that precipitated the move, but a lawyer familiar with the situation said that it involved a disagreement over artwork for the cover of the new album, "Home Invasion."
He did not elaborate, and an employee at an answering service taking calls for Ice-T's management company said he had been instructed to answer inquiries with "no comment." Details Kept Private
Mo Ostin, the chairman of Warner Brothers Records, said in the statement: "The decision to end this seven-year relationship was a difficult one for all concerned, but in the final analysis, we believe that this was the best way to resolve our creative differences. The collaborative process between the label and the artist has traditionally been a private one, and we will continue to honor that privacy. We wish Ice-T all the best."
The company said that Ice-T's heavy-metal band, Body Count, was also released from its contract and that the master tapes for "Home Invasion" had been returned to Ice-T. Bob Merlis, a Warner Brothers spokesman, said he did not know the length of Ice-T's contract but that Warner had issued four of his solo albums, as well one with Body Count and three soundtracks on which he had participated.
Last summer, Ice-T dropped the song "Cop Killer" from his first heavy-metal album, called "Body Count," after it provoked a storm of protest. Political figures and law-enforcement groups -- including the New York Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas, the National Rifle Association and Oliver North's Freedom Alliance -- contended that the song's lyrics condoned the murder of police officers. They urged boycotts and other actions against Time Warner, which distributed the album. A Question of Free Speech?
But the reaction was not unanimous. Some police groups, including the National Black Police Association and the African-American Peace Officers Association, cited the right of free speech and opposed actions against the producers.
While Time Warner had maintained an official stance of refusal to withdraw "Body Count," there were widespread reports that the company's board was uncomfortable and was seeking a way to revolve the situation.
