Rapper Ice-T Touts Book Smarts

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) â€” Ice-T may rap about being a gangster, but he says that it's better to have book smarts than street smarts. <br><br>Speaking to a midwestern conference of black youths, the rapper

Monday, October 16th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) â€” Ice-T may rap about being a gangster, but he says that it's better to have book smarts than street smarts.

Speaking to a midwestern conference of black youths, the rapper spoke about the need for education and self-reliance.

``Street smarts will get you killed sooner than book smarts,'' he told a group of young people at the Kansas African-American Economic and Human Development Expo III on Saturday.

``Street smarts will teach you how to make money, but 98 percent of how you do it is illegal,'' said Ice-T. ``You can't retire on street smarts â€” but you can on book smarts.''

The rap veteran, whose album ``Cop Killer'' drew protests from police and the National Rifle Association, called show business ``the worst, corrupt and hard-core business you can ever indulge in. It is far more ruthless than anything on the street.''