Ice-T Serves Up Truth And Tea At Raising Cane’s For National Iced Tea Day
By Kelly Coffey-Behrens on June 10, 2025 at 5:00 PM EDT
When it comes to iced tea, there’s truly no one more fitting to represent the refreshing beverage than Ice-T himself.
The Grammy and NAACP award-winning rapper, actor, and pop culture icon made a splash in Times Square today, partnering once again with Raising Cane’s to celebrate National Iced Tea Day. Fans lined up at the brand’s Global Flagship location for a chance to be served “The Official Iced Tea of Ice-T” by the man himself.
It’s not the first time Ice-T has linked up with Raising Cane’s. In fact, this marks his third National Iced Tea Day with the popular chicken finger chain, having previously surprised customers in 2022 and 2024 with his signature charm, swagger, and iced-out perspective.
But Ice-T's partnership with Cane's all started with a simple bite.
Ice-T Recalls First Bite Of Raising Cane’s
“I was in Arizona, near a recording studio, and I saw a Raising Cane’s,” Ice-T recalled during a press conference, in which The Blast attended. “At first, I didn’t think much, just some chicken. But when I went in, it hit me. The sauce was like... boom. The bread? Unreal. It was like a drug. That’s when I was like, ‘Okay, this place is the truth.’ I was hooked.”
But, Ice-T served up more than just iced tea during the event. He also “spilled the tea,” reading out hilarious, outrageous, and sometimes heartfelt fan confessions submitted via Raising Cane’s social media.
From Chicken To Cheating: Ice-T Dishes Out Real Talk At Raising Cane’s
From relationship drama to fast-food blasphemy, no topic was too hot for Ice-T to tackle, delivering advice with a deadpan expression and the kind of effortlessly cool confidence only he can pull off. One fan admitted they swap out Cane’s iconic Texas toast for coleslaw, leaving Ice-T momentarily stunned.
“Okay…” he said slowly, raising an eyebrow and looking around the room, unsure of how to respond. “Good for you.” The room burst into laughter at his barely contained judgment.
But not all confessions were lighthearted. One fan revealed her boyfriend had cheated on her with her best friend. Ice-T didn’t mince words.
“First off, she ain’t your best friend if she did that,” he said flatly. “The best friend part is more important than the boyfriend. She knew you were with him and still did it? Nah. Not cool. She ain't a real one.”
Keeping It Real About Brand Partnerships And Raising Cane’s
But the day wasn’t just about laughs.
Ice-T also opened up about what makes a partnership like this meaningful in a world where brands and celebrities are more selective than ever.
“Now you have to be a certain level of celebrity to even get that kind of connection,” he said. “Brands don’t want to just attach to anybody. You’ve got to bring value. I only connect with things that feel real to me. And this? This is me all day. Chicken fingers, iced tea. Man, stop playing.”
Ice-T Explains Why Raising Cane’s Isn’t Just A Brand, It’s A Vibe
He’s also proud to stand with a brand that aligns with others in his circle.
“The fact that they’ve worked with people like Flav and Snoop, too, that matters to me,” he added. “It shows me this isn’t just about selling food. It’s about real connections, cool people, and treating folks right.”
And according to Ice-T, it’s that human connection that makes or breaks a restaurant experience.
“No matter how much hype you put behind something, if it’s not good when people walk in, they’re not coming back,” he said. “That word of mouth? That’s everything. People come in, they love it, and then they tell their friends. But it’s not just about the food, it’s how you’re treated. That energy, that vibe, that’s what sticks.”
Ice-T’s Legacy Is As Real As It Gets
With a groundbreaking career that took off in the late ’80s and solidified his stardom by the early ’90s, Ice-T has left an indelible mark on music, film, and television.
Often recognized as a pioneer of “gangsta rap,” his early tracks gave a raw and powerful voice to the realities of street life and urban survival, opening the genre to a wider audience and reshaping the sound of hip-hop.
Beyond the mic, Ice has captivated audiences for over two decades as Detective Fin Tutuola on "Law & Order: SVU," earning him the distinction of being the longest-running male actor in a primetime television series, an impressive honor that trails only one other title: Raising Cane’s Fry Cook & Cashier.
From his music legacy to his take on food and fame, Ice-T proves time and time again that he doesn’t just keep it cool, he keeps it real. And on National Iced Tea Day, there’s no better person to serve the tea than the one and only Ice-T.
