Body Count, the renowned musical group, made a significant appearance on The Tonight Show. They performed their latest song, “Comfortably Numb,” which is an updated version of Pink Floyd‘s 1979 single. This track, taken from their new LP Merciless, showcases frontman Ice-T rapping his own lyrics over the familiar music.

Ice-T's Discussion with Jimmy Fallon

Ice-T sat down with host Jimmy Fallon to delve into the making of their new album. They discussed not only the new album but also the process of working with Pink Floyd and David Gilmour to obtain permission to use the classic song. Ice-T confirmed that it was no small feat as he had to secure approval from both David Gilmour and Roger Waters, who had been at odds for 20 years. “Rappers often look for tracks to rap over, and I always loved the bass line of ‘Comfortably Numb.’ I just had to make it my own,” he explained.When asked about the current situation between Gilmour and Waters, Ice-T said, “I don’t know what’s going on between them. But the fact that both of them approved the song makes me feel really good. It shows that the song is honest and real.”

The Song's Origin

Earlier this year, Ice-T spoke to Rolling Stone about how “Comfortably Numb” came together. Initially, their publisher had said “no” when they approached them. It was a setback, but Ice-T was determined. “It wasn’t a diss; it was just their policy. They don’t do samples or ads. But I wasn’t going to give up. I wanted to make this song work.”His team then took a different approach. They circumvented the publishers and presented the proposed track directly to Waters and Gilmour via their managers. “Once David heard it, he was all in. He loved the song and gave his approval. And Roger, when he heard it was Ice-T, he also approved it. It was a great moment,” Ice-T recalled.

The Impact of Ice-T's Acting Career

Ice-T mentioned that his acting career on Law & Order: SVU has played a crucial role in making Merciless possible. “I’m on television and making a good living. I have money in the bank, and that gave me the freedom to make an album like Merciless. People think that when you have money, you lose your hunger. But it can actually give you more confidence and make you more willing to express yourself. You can go, ‘Fuck It. I’m now going to say what I feel like saying.’”This newfound freedom has allowed Ice-T to explore different musical styles and push boundaries with Merciless. The album is a testament to his creativity and determination.