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Vanilla Ice: Ninja Rap Outlasts Ice Ice Baby
9 Mar
Summary
- Vanilla Ice's 'Ninja Rap' from TMNT II has enduring fan appeal.
- He wrote 'Ninja Rap' in one hotel room the night before filming.
- Vanilla Ice has a new album 'Now & Forever' and a biopic in development.
Vanilla Ice, real name Rob Van Winkle, 58, reflects on the enduring legacy of his 1991 contribution to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. He notes that "Ninja Rap," performed in the film, has surprisingly outlasted his 1990 hit "Ice Ice Baby" in the hearts of younger fans.
Van Winkle explained that he wrote "Ninja Rap" in a single night in his hotel room, just before filming. He also choreographed the dance sequences, teaching the performers how to move in the Turtle suits. The film, originally released in 1991, is returning to theaters on March 13 - 19, 2026.
He expressed surprise that many young adults, in their 30s, are discovering "Ice Ice Baby" for the first time through YouTube reaction videos. Van Winkle remains a dedicated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles collector, cherishing memorabilia like a surfboard from the film and his original set chair.
Looking back, Van Winkle considers the 1990s the "last of the great decades," lamenting the current generation's reliance on indoor activities. He continues to share '90s nostalgia through the "I Love the '90s: The Party Continues" tour, often featuring a costumed turtle during his "Ninja Rap" performances.
His career continues with upcoming projects, including a role in Adam Sandler's "Grown Ups 3" and a biopic titled "To the Extreme," with Dave Franco set to portray him. Van Winkle is also releasing a new album, "Now & Forever," this year, featuring remastered vintage tracks and new songs, including a third version of "Ninja Rap."
