{{short description|Trinidadian-American rapper (1964–2017)}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2021}} {{Infobox musical artist | image = File:Young Fresh Kid Ice.jpg | caption = Fresh Kid Ice in the early 1980s | name = Fresh Kid Ice | birth_name = Christopher Wong Won | alias = The Chinaman | birth_date = {{birth date|1964|5|29}} | birth_place = Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago | death_date = {{death date and age|2017|7|13|1964|5|29}} | death_place = Miami, Florida, U.S. | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter|record producer}} | years_active = 1984–2017 | label = {{hlist|Luke|Effect|Lil Joe|Chinaman}} | associated_acts = {{hlist|2 Live Crew|Flo Rida}} }} '''Christopher Wong Won''' (May 29, 1964{{spaced ndash}}July 13, 2017), also known by his stage names '''Fresh Kid Ice''' and '''Chinaman''' was a Trinidadian-American rapper and a Miami bass pioneer. Wong Won was born and spent his early childhood in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, before emigrating to the United States at age 12. Wong Won was in the United States Air Force and he co-founded 2 Live Crew while he was stationed in California. Early 2 Live Crew singles gained so much traction in Florida that the group relocated there. By 1986, the group released the single "Throw The 'D{{'"}}; it is now considered the blueprint of Miami bass.
Later in 1986, 2 Live Crew released their debut album, ''The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are.'' The album established the group's signature style of comical sexually explicit lyrics. After a slew of successful releases the group met with considerable controversy as a U.S. district court ruled the album legally obscene. They were prosecuted, but all later acquitted. After the group's first separation in the early 1990s, different incarnation of 2 Live Crew took place for their subsequent albums, Wong Won is the only one to appear in all of them.
Wong Won was the first prominent Asian and Asian American rapper, releasing his first solo album, ''The Chinaman'', in 1992. In the 2000s, he continued touring and releasing singles with 2 Live Crew. Wong Won's last projects, before his death in 2017, were his autobiography ''My Rise 2 Fame'' (2015) and the compilation ''Breaking Glass Ceilings Volume 1'' (2017).
== Early life == Wong Won was born in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on May 29, 1964. His family is of Chinese and Afro-Trinidadian ancestry, with his Chinese heritage originating primarily in Hong Kong. Wong Won and his family were Catholic.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-10-10 |title=Chatting with The Chinaman: 2 Live Crew's Fresh Kid Ice On Being Trini + Miami Bass |url=https://www.largeup.com/2014/10/10/2-live-crews-fresh-kid-ice/ |access-date=2022-11-01 |website=LargeUp |language=en-US}}</ref>
In 1976, at the age of 12, Wong Won and his family emigrated from Trinidad and Tobago to the United States, settling in Brooklyn, New York City. In 1982, Wong Won graduated from Samuel J. Tilden High School in Brooklyn.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.largeup.com/2014/10/10/2-live-crews-fresh-kid-ice/|title=Chatting with The Chinaman: 2 Live Crew's Fresh Kid Ice On Being Trini + Miami Bass|last=Serwer|first=Jesse|date=October 10, 2014|publisher=www.largeup.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408035320/http://www.largeup.com/2014/10/10/2-live-crews-fresh-kid-ice/|archive-date=April 8, 2019}}</ref>
== Career ==
=== 1984: Military service, founding 2 Live Crew and Asian Hip hop pioneer === {{Main|Asian American hip hop}} According to Wong Won, he joined the United States Air Force in 1982, while stationed in March Air Force Base near Riverside, California. Wong Won met fellow Airmen Yuri Vielot (Amazing Vee) and David Hobbs (Mr. Mixx), with whom he formed the rap group 2 Live Crew.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wong Won|first=Christopher "Fresh Kid Ice"|title="My Rise 2 Fame": The Tell All Autobiography of a Hip Hop Legend|publisher=Iconic Three Media Group|year=2015|pages=487–493|chapter=4. The air force and the birth of 2 Live Crew (198284)|asin=B010NY9W06}}</ref> Wong Won recounted that the group would perform in small, local venues on weekends, unbeknownst to their superiors.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/reunited-2-live-crew-talk-running-from-the-cops-winning-in-the-supreme-court-46126/|title=Reunited 2 Live Crew on Running From Cops, Winning in Court|last1=Serwer|first1=Jesse|date=March 25, 2015|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413194610/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/reunited-2-live-crew-talk-running-from-the-cops-winning-in-the-supreme-court-46126/|archive-date=April 13, 2019|access-date=March 9, 2019}}</ref>
In 1985, 2 Live Crew released the single "The Revelation", which became popular in Florida, so much so that they relocated to Miami, minus Vielot who left the group, at the behest of local concert promoter Luther Campbell, after Wong Won and Hobbs were discharged from the Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-fresh-kid-ice-obit-20170713-story.html|title=2 Live Crew's 'Fresh Kid Ice,' pioneer for Asian rappers, dies at 53|last=Kennedy|first=Gerrick D.|website=Los Angeles Times|date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413225718/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-fresh-kid-ice-obit-20170713-story.html|archive-date=April 13, 2019|access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref>
With the subsequent success of 2 Live Crew, Wong Won became the first rapper of note in Asian American hip hop, and the first rapper of Asian heritage to gain notoriety.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/asian-rappers-rise-some-must-face-questions-about-race-hip-n843416|title=As Asian rappers rise, some must face questions about race and hip-hop|website=NBC News|date=February 2018 |language=en|access-date=February 26, 2019}}</ref>
=== 1985–1986: Miami Bass pioneer and 2 Live Crew's breakthrough === {{Main|Miami bass}} In 1985, 2 Live Crew released their next single, "What I Like" on Fresh Beat Records, with Wong Won appearing as the only rapper on the track. That same year, 2 Live Crew entered into a joint venture with Miami-based rap producer Luther Campbell who formed Luke Skyywalker Records with the group. Shortly after forming the record label, Campbell joined 2 Live Crew as producer, artist, and hype man. In April of that same year, 1985, rapper Brother Marquis (Mark D. Ross) joined 2 Live Crew, forming the most well known and recognized line up of the group (Wong Won, Ross, Hobbs, and Campbell).
In January 1986, 2 Live Crew released the single "Throw The 'D{{'"}}, the rap was performed and the lyrics were written by Wong Won.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/chris-wong-won-alias-fresh-kid-ice-of-two-live-crew-dies-9492215|title=Chris Wong Won, Member of Historic 2 Live Crew, Dies at 53|last=Strouse|first=Chuck|date=July 13, 2017|website=Miami New Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414090618/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/chris-wong-won-alias-fresh-kid-ice-of-two-live-crew-dies-9492215|archive-date=April 14, 2019|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref> The single became an influential blueprint as to how future Miami bass songs were written and produced.<ref name="Bein2014">{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/tootsie-rolls-hoochie-mamas-and-cars-that-go-boom-the-story-of-miami-bass/|title=Tootsie Rolls, 'Hoochie Mamas,' and Cars That Go Boom: The Story of Miami Bass|last=Bein|first=Kat|date=November 3, 2014|website=thump.vice.com|publisher=VICE|access-date=February 27, 2017|quote=Miami Bass, Booty Bass, Booty Music, or whatever you want to call it, changed the scenes of hip hop, dance music, and pop forever...The story of music's dirtiest genre reaches back to the '80s with roots set firmly in Afrika Bambaataa's elektro-funk...foundational artists Amos Larkins and Maggotron, both of whom have been credited as kicking the regional sound into motion. According to Stylus Magazine, Larkins and the Miami Bass conception can be traced back to the movie Knights of the City...Inspired by the humid and vice-ridden melting pot of cultures, ...MC A.D.E.'s "Bass Rock Express" gets the title for first hit of the genre, but it was 2 Live Crew who became the poster boys of movement. Record store owners who sold the album were arrested and charged with crimes of obscenity, and 2 Live Crew members were arrested just for playing shows...US Appeals Court system ruled rap was protected by First Amendment rights...2 Live Crew made it safe for hip-hop as we know it to exist. The influence of the genre is far-reaching...Miami Bass remains not only one of the most ridiculous and enjoyable genres of music in recent memory but also one of the most important.}}</ref>
On July 25, 1986, the reconfigured 2 Live Crew became popular locally and nationally with the release of their Gold-certified debut album, ''The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=2+LIVE+CREW&ti=THE+2+LIVE+CREW+IS+WHAT+WE+ARE|title=Gold & Platinum – RIAA|work=RIAA|access-date=October 24, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Notorious for sexually explicit lyrics, that made many DJs of the time uncomfortable.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://thesource.com/2018/07/25/today-in-hip-hop-history-2-live-crew-dropped-their-debut-album-2-live-crew-is-what-we-are-32-years-ago/|title=Today In Hip Hop History: 2 Live Crew Dropped Their Debut Album '2 Live Crew Is What We Are' 32 Years Ago|last=Allah|first=Sha Be|date=July 25, 2018|website=The Source|language=en-US|access-date=March 9, 2019}}</ref>
=== 1988–1991: Subsequent fame and controversy === {{Main|2 Live Crew}}
In 1988, 2 Live Crew released their second album, ''Move Somethin'<nowiki/>'' It was also certified Gold and featured the singles "Move Somethin'" and "Do Wah Diddy Diddy".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=2+LIVE+CREW&ti=MOVE+SOMETHIN'|title=Gold & Platinum – RIAA|work=RIAA|access-date=October 24, 2017|language=en-US}}</ref> Reached #68 on the ''Billboard 200'' and #20 on the ''Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums'' charts.
2 Live Crew's third album ''As Nasty As They Wanna Be'' (1989), became the group's most successful commercial studio album and was certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gold & Platinum |url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/ |access-date=2023-09-29 |website=RIAA |language=en-US}}</ref> The album's single "Me So Horny" peaked at 26 of the ''Billboard Top 100'' chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew|title=The 2 Live Crew Me So Horny Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 9, 2019}}</ref> A clean version of the album, ''As Clean As They Wanna Be'' was released concurrently with the explicit version.
In 1990, the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida ruled ''As Nasty As They Wanna Be'' to be legally obscene, becoming the first album in history to be so declared by a federal court;<ref>''Skyywalker Records, Inc. v. Navarro'', 739 F.Supp. 578 (S.D. Fla. 1990).</ref> this ruling was later overturned by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.<ref>''Luke Records, Inc. v. Navarro'', 960 F.2d 134 (11th Cir. 1992).</ref><ref>Deflem, Mathieu. 2020. [https://deflem.blogspot.com/2019/07/music-censorship-labeling.html “Popular Culture and Social Control: The Moral Panic on Music Labeling.”] American Journal of Criminal Justice 45(1):2-24.</ref> An obscenity trial followed, where all of the defendants, including Wong Won, were eventually acquitted. Later that year, 2 Live Crew released ''Banned in the U.S.A.''. The album included the hits "Do the Bart" peaked at 20 on the ''Top 100'' chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew|title=The 2 Live Crew Banned In The U.S.A. Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 9, 2019}}</ref> The eponymous title single referred to the earlier federal court obscenity ruling regarding the group's previous album ''As Nasty As They Wanna Be.'' Bruce Springsteen granted the group permission to interpolate his song "Born in the U.S.A." for the single. ''Banned in the U.S.A.'' was also the first album to bear the RIAA-standard Parental Advisory warning sticker.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://europe.newsweek.com/does-parental-advisory-label-still-matter-tipper-gore-336329|title=Does the Parental Advisory Label Still Matter?|last1=Schonfeld|first1=Zach|website=Newsweek|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413195141/https://www.newsweek.com/does-parental-advisory-label-still-matter-tipper-gore-375607|archive-date=April 13, 2019|access-date=July 24, 2016}}</ref> Also that year 2 Live Crew's album ''Live in Concert'' peaked at number 46 on the ''Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums'' chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums/song/375159|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511103724/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums/song/375159|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2018|title=The 2 Live Crew Live In Concert Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 3, 2018}}</ref>
''Sports Weekend: As Nasty as They Wanna Be, Pt. 2'', featuring the single "Pop That Coochie", which reached 58 on the ''Hot 100'' chart, was released by 2 Live Crew in 1991.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew|title=The 2 Live Crew Pop That Coochie Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref> The group's sixth album was a sequel of sorts to ''As Nasty As They Wanna Be'', and was also accompanied by a clean version, ''Sports Weekend: As Clean As They Wanna Be, Pt. 2''. It is the last studio album to include all of the members of the group. Wong Won would become the only member of the group to appear on every subsequent album.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/remembering-fresh-kid-ice-a-pioneering-asian-rapper/|title=Remembering Fresh Kid Ice, a Pioneering Asian Rapper|last1=Schwartz|first1=Zachary|last2=Horn|first2=Leslie|date=July 14, 2017|website=Noisey|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408040744/https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/wj84aw/remembering-fresh-kid-ice-a-pioneering-asian-rapper|archive-date=April 8, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=January 9, 2019}}</ref>
=== 1992–2004: Continued success and solo projects ===
In 1992, Wong Won released his debut solo, ''The Chinaman''. It is the first American hip hop album to embrace having an Asian heritage.<ref name="Playboy">{{cite web|last=Schwartz|first=Zachary|year=2015|title=A brief history of Asians in hip-hop, from 2 Live Crew to "It G Ma"|url=http://www.playboy.com/articles/asians-in-hip-hop-2-live-crew-it-g-ma|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151203044659/http://www.playboy.com/articles/asians-in-hip-hop-2-live-crew-it-g-ma|archive-date=December 3, 2015|access-date=November 20, 2015|publisher=Playboy}}</ref> On the ''Billboard'' charts, the album peaked at No. 38 and stayed two weeks on the ''Heatseekers Albums'' chart.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Heatseekers Albums Fresh Kid Ice Is The Chinaman |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/fresh-kid-ice/chart-history/tln/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220411001516/https://www.billboard.com/artist/fresh-kid-ice/chart-history/tln/ |archive-date=April 11, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref> ''The Chinaman'' was also on the ''Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums'' chart for ten weeks, peaking at No. 56.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Fresh Kid Ice The Chinaman |url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/fresh-kid-ice/chart-history/blp/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410231300/https://www.billboard.com/artist/fresh-kid-ice/chart-history/blp/ |archive-date=April 10, 2022 |magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
''Deal with This'' was released in 1993 as a Rock on Crew vs 2 Live Crew album, where Wong Won only teamed up with Hobbs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 2 Live Crew {{!}} Biography & History|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-2-live-crew-mn0000027116/biography|access-date=March 20, 2021|website=AllMusic|language=en}}</ref>
In 1994, the album ''Back at Your Ass for the Nine-4'' by The New 2 Live Crew was released. On the album, Wong Won was joined by Campbell, and a new rapper named Verb.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Rayam|first=Sheila|date=February 25, 1994|title=Love is sweet for Zhane, raunchy for 2 Live Crew|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/73906479/love-is-sweet-for-zhane-raunchy-for-2/|journal=Democrat and Chronicle|pages=23|via=Newspapers}}</ref> The album peaked at No. 52 on the ''Billboard 200'' chart and #9 on the ''Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums'' chart.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-new-2-live-crew/chart-history/billboard-200/song/176917|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519171909/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-new-2-live-crew/chart-history/billboard-200/song/176917|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 19, 2018|title=Billboard 200 Back At Your Ass For The Nine-4 The New 2 Live Crew|magazine=Billboard}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-new-2-live-crew/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums/song/176917|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513170922/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-new-2-live-crew/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-albums/song/176917|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 13, 2018|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Back At Your Ass For The Nine-4 The New 2 Live Crew|magazine=Billboard}}</ref>
In 1995, Wong Won reunited with Ross and Hobbs as the 2 Live Crew, and released the group's album ''Shake a Lil' Somethin''' .The single "Shake a lil' Somethin'", peaked at No. 72 on the ''Top 100'' chart and #11 on the ''Hot Rap Songs|Hot Rap Singles'' chart.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew|title=The 2 Live Crew Shake A Lil' Somethin'... Chart History|magazine=Billboard|access-date=March 9, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/45664|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511103612/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/45664|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2018|title=The 2 Live Crew Shake A Lil' Somethin'... Chart History|work=Hot Rap Songs|access-date=November 2, 2017}}</ref> Two of the album's singles charted: "Do the Damn Thing", which made it to #24 on the ''Hot Rap Singles'' chart, and "Be My Private Dancer", which peaked at No. 34.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/49192|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511103624/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/49192|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2018|title=The 2 Live Crew Do The Damn Thing Chart History|work=Hot Rap Singles|access-date=November 2, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/53380|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511103637/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/53380|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2018|title=The 2 Live Crew Be My Private Dancer Chart History|work=Hot Rap Songs|access-date=November 2, 2017}}</ref>
In 1998, only Wong Won and Ross participated in the 2 Live Crew release ''The Real One''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Wong Won|first=Christopher "Fresh Kid Ice"|url=|title="My Rise 2 Fame": The Tell All Autobiography of a Hip Hop Legend|date=July 20, 2015|publisher=Iconic Three Media Group, LLC|pages=2948–2959|chapter=31. Martin got hoes (9498)|asin=B010NY9W06}}</ref> The album's singles "2 Live Party", peaked at No. 52 on the ''Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs'' chart, #9 on the ''Hot Rap Songs'' chart, while "The Real One" peaked at No. 60 on the ''Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs'' and #9 on the ''Hot Rap Songs'' charts.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-songs/song/55925|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511103759/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-songs/song/55925|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2018|title=The 2 Live Crew 2 Live Party Chart History|work=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/55925|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511103648/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/55925|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2018|title=The 2 Live Crew 2 Live Party Chart History|work=Hot Rap Songs|access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-songs/song/59370|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511103811/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/r-b-hip-hop-songs/song/59370|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2018|title=The 2 Live Crew The Real One Chart History|work=Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=http://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/59370|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180511103700/https://www.billboard.com/music/the-2-live-crew/chart-history/rap-song/song/59370|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 11, 2018|title=The 2 Live Crew The Real One Chart History|work=Hot Rap Songs|access-date=October 29, 2017}}</ref>
After 2 Live Crew, Wong Won said he started Chinaman Records and brought his own show on the road.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Wong Won|first=Christopher "Fresh Kid Ice"|title="My Rise 2 Fame": The Tell All Autobiography of a Hip Hop Legend|publisher=Iconic Three Media Group|year=2015|pages=3088|chapter=32. Road pimpin'|asin=B010NY9W06}}</ref> With this endeavor he released three solo albums: ''Still Nasty'' (2000),<ref>{{cite AV media|url=|title=Still Nasty|date=2000|last=Wong Won|first=Christopher "Fresh Kid Ice"|type=CD|language=English|publisher=Chinaman Records|trans-title=|location=|time=|access-date=|id=HNA2001|isbn=|oclc=|quote=|medium=}}</ref> ''Stop Playin'' (2003),<ref>{{cite AV media|url=|title=Stop Playin|date=2003|last=Wong Won|first=Christopher "Fresh Kid Ice"|type=CD|language=English|publisher=Chinaman Records|trans-title=|location=|time=|access-date=|id=BHM2003|isbn=|oclc=|quote=|medium=}}</ref> ''and Freaky Chinese'' (2004).<ref>{{cite AV media|url=|title=Freaky Chinese|date=2004|last=Wong Won|first=Christopher "Fresh Kid Ice"|type=CD|language=English|publisher=Chinaman Records|trans-title=|location=|time=|access-date=|id=CMU 7189|isbn=|oclc=|quote=|medium=}}</ref> Rapper Flo Rida, then unknown, with his underground group named GroudHoggz participated in Wong Won's 2004 release.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/2-live-crews-fresh-kid-ice-on-getting-arrested-just-cause-the-album-was-deemed-obscene-6483099|title=2 Live Crew's Fresh Kid Ice on Getting Arrested "Just 'Cause the Album Was Deemed Obscene"|last=Katel|first=Jacob|date=September 2, 2014|newspaper=Miami New Times|access-date=July 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413200028/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/2-live-crews-fresh-kid-ice-on-getting-arrested-just-cause-the-album-was-deemed-obscene-6483099|archive-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref>
=== 2006–2017: Reforming 2 Live Crew and final projects === During 2006–07 Wong Won and Ross met, discussed their differences, and ultimately decided to relaunch 2 Live Crew. They made offers to past members to rejoin the group, but were declined. As the 2 Live Crew, Wong Won and Ross toured and released singles.<ref name="Wong Won">{{cite book|last=Wong Won|first=Christopher 'Fresh Kid Ice"|url=https://www.amazon.ca/My-Rise-Fame-Autobiography-Legend-ebook/dp/B010NY9W06|title="My Rise 2 Fame": The Tell All Autobiography of a Hip Hop Legend|date=July 20, 2015|publisher=Iconic Three Media Group, LLC}}</ref>
In 2010, Wong Won and 2 Live Crew were honorees at the 2010 ''7th VH1 Hip-Hop Honors''. In August, Wong Won and Ross announced the pending release of an album named, ''Just Wanna Be Heard''.<ref name=":0" />
In 2014, Wong Won and Ross released the single "Take It Off".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4133036/?ref_=nm_flmg_slf_2|title=2 Live Crew: Take It Off|website=Imdb}}</ref> Also, Wong Won and Ross made cameo appearances in the Flo Rida music video "G.D.F.R."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/brianmcmanus/premiere-flo-rida-gets-his-phil-jackson-on-in-gdfr-video|title=Premiere: Flo Rida Gets His Phil Jackson On In "G.D.F.R." Video|last=McManus|first=Brian|website=BuzzFeed|date=December 24, 2014 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413202522/https://www.buzzfeed.com/brianmcmanus/premiere-flo-rida-gets-his-phil-jackson-on-in-gdfr-video|archive-date=April 13, 2019|access-date=March 11, 2019}}</ref> That same year, the duo announced the pending release of a new 2 Live Crew studio album ''Turn Me On''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/2-live-crews-brother-marquis-on-new-album-turn-me-on-and-three-decades-of-dirty-rap-6483056|title=2 Live Crew's Brother Marquis on New Album, Turn Me On, and Three Decades of Dirty Rap|last=Katel|first=Jacob|date=August 28, 2014|publisher=Miami New Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414063412/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/music/2-live-crews-brother-marquis-on-new-album-turn-me-on-and-three-decades-of-dirty-rap-6483056|archive-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref> Also that year, Wong Won and Ross reunited with Campbell for several performances.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.miaminewtimes.com/slideshow/2-live-crew-reunion-at-liv-6281600|title=2 Live Crew Reunion at LIV|date=November 27, 2014|publisher=New Miami Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413201905/https://www.miaminewtimes.com/slideshow/2-live-crew-reunion-at-liv-6281600/4|archive-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://worldredeye.com/2015/08/2-live-crew-uncle-luke-at-liv-2/|title=2 Live Crew & Uncle Luke at LIV|date=August 31, 2015|publisher=World Red Eye}}</ref>
In 2015, Wong Won published his autobiography ''My Rise 2 Fame''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soulofmiami.org/2015/07/20/fresh-kid-ice-from-2-live-crew-my-rise-2-fame-book-release-8415/|title=Fresh Kid Ice from 2 Live Crew 'My Rise 2 Fame' Book Release 8/4/15|date=July 20, 2015|publisher=Soul of Miami|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413201608/http://www.soulofmiami.org/2015/07/20/fresh-kid-ice-from-2-live-crew-my-rise-2-fame-book-release-8415/|archive-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref> The book chronicled Wong Won's journey from U.S. Air Force Airman to the Hip hop scene.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://miamibookfair.com/events_author/chris-wong-won/|title=Author Christopher "Fresh Kid Ice" Wong Won|last=Lawshea|first=Johanna|date=September 17, 2015|publisher=Miami Book Fair|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413201259/http://www.miamibookfair.com/events_author/chris-wong-won/|archive-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref>
On January 13, 2017, Wong Won released his final project, a compilation album named ''Breaking Glass Ceilings Volume 1''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/2-live-crew-co-founder-fresh-kid-ice-dead-at-53-198672/|title=2 Live Crew Co-Founder Fresh Kid Ice Dead at 53|last=Blistein|first=Jon|date=July 13, 2017|magazine=Rolling Stone|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413193224/https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/2-live-crew-co-founder-fresh-kid-ice-dead-at-53-198672/|archive-date=April 13, 2019|access-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref>
== Health issues and death == In 1988, shortly before the release of ''Move Somethin'<nowiki/>'', Wong Won was involved in a near fatal car accident. His injuries included damage to his brachial plexus, which resulted in the loss of mobility in his left arm.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/music/la-et-ms-fresh-kid-ice-obit-20170713-story.html|title=2 Live Crew's 'Fresh Kid Ice,' pioneer for Asian rappers, dies at 53|last=Kennedy|first=Gerrick D.|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 13, 2017}}</ref> Wong Won had two strokes in 2009 and 2010.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|url=http://rollingout.com/2010/08/17/2-live-crew-returns-to-music-despite-stroke-and-midlife-crisis/|title=2 Live Crew Returns to Music, Despite Stroke and Midlife Crisis|date=August 17, 2010|publisher=rollingout|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413201106/https://rollingout.com/2010/08/17/2-live-crew-returns-to-music-despite-stroke-and-midlife-crisis/|archive-date=April 13, 2019|access-date=August 17, 2010}}</ref>
On July 13, 2017, Wong Won died at the Miami VA Hospital. He was 53 years old.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2017/07/13/entertainment/2-live-crew-fresh-kid-ice-dead/index.html|title=2 Live Crew rapper 'Fresh Kid Ice' dies|author=Tricia Escobedo|website=CNN|date=July 13, 2017|access-date=March 8, 2019}}</ref> His death was attributed to cirrhosis of the liver.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/2-live-crews-fresh-kid-ice-reportedly-died-of-cirrhosis-of-the-liver-news.41083.html|title=2 Live Crew's Fresh Kid Ice Reportedly Died Of Cirrhosis Of The Liver|last=Smith|first=Trevor|date=December 19, 2017|publisher=Hot New Hip Hop|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413200817/https://www.hotnewhiphop.com/2-live-crews-fresh-kid-ice-reportedly-died-of-cirrhosis-of-the-liver-news.41083.html|archive-date=April 13, 2019}}</ref>
== Legacy == While not the first to rap, Wong Won is noted for being the first Asian rapper to gain some notoriety.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://heavy.com/entertainment/2017/07/fresh-kid-ice-dead-cause-of-death-age-how-did-he-die/|title=Fresh Kid Ice of 2 Live Crew Dead at 53|last=Orfanides|first=Effie|date=July 13, 2017|website=Heavy.com|language=en|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.com/music/2-live-crew-fresh-kid-ice-dead/|title=2 Live Crew's Fresh Kid Ice Dies at 53: 'We Lost a Legend'|website=PEOPLE.com|language=en|access-date=August 25, 2019}}</ref> When 2 Live Crew started to gain traction, Wong Won said that many fans had no clue that he was Asian until the group's music videos were released.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/2-live-crew-fresh-kid-ice-interview/|title=How 2 Live Crew's Fresh Kid Ice Became a Worldwide Sex Symbol|date=July 22, 2016|website=Vice.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413192907/https://www.vice.com/en_ca/article/exkdje/2-live-crew-fresh-kid-ice-interview|archive-date=April 13, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=July 13, 2017}}</ref> For a while Wong Won was the only noticeable Asian American rapper until others came along.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.redbull.com/int-en/asian-hip-hop-scene-profile|title=These are the artists changing the face of Asian hip-hop|author=Tracy Kawalik|date=March 29, 2019|website=www.redbull.com|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/blogs/88rising-meet-asian-artists-changing-music-industry-2468323|title=88rising – meet the Asian rap collective changing the music industry|last=Czub|first=Julia|date=March 29, 2019|website=NME|language=en-US|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-40605640|title=Pioneering Asian-American rapper Fresh Kid Ice from 2 Live Crew dies|date=July 14, 2017|website=BBC Newsbeat|language=en-GB|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414085455/http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/article/40605640/pioneering-asian-american-rapper-fresh-kid-ice-from-2-live-crew-dies|archive-date=April 14, 2019|url-status=live|access-date=April 14, 2019}}</ref>
== Discography ==
=== Solo albums === {| class="wikitable" |- !align="left"|Album information |- |align="left"|'''''The Chinaman''''' * Released: July 15, 1992 * Chart positions: #38 Heatseekers Albums<br />#56 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums * RIAA certification: * Singles: "Dick 'Em Down", "I'll Be There", "Long Dick Chinese" |- |- |align="left"|'''''Still Nasty''''' * Released: October 21, 2000 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: * Singles: "I Wanna Dance Y'all" |- |- |align="left"|'''''Stop Playin''''' * Released: December 31, 2003 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: * Singles: |- |- |align="left"|'''''Freaky Chinese''''' * Released: October 5, 2004 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: * Singles: |}
=== Solo EPs/singles === {| class="wikitable" |- !align="left"|Album information |- |align="left"|'''''Get Freaky''''' * Released: December 31, 2006 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: |}
=== Compilation albums === {| class="wikitable" |- !align="left"|Album information |- |align="left"|'''''Breaking Glass Ceilings Volume 1''''' * Released: January 13, 2017 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: |}
=== 2 Live Crew studio albums (1986–1998) === {| class="wikitable" |- !align="left"|Album information |- |align="left"|'''''The 2 Live Crew Is What We Are''''' * Released: July 25, 1986 * Chart positions: #24 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums * RIAA certification: Gold * Singles: "We Want Some Pussy", "Throw the 'D{{'"}}, "Cut it Up" |- |align="left"|'''''Move Somethin'''''' * Released: August 17, 1988 * Chart positions: #20 Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums * RIAA certification: Gold * Singles: "Move Somethin'", "Do Wah Diddy" |- |align="left"|'''''As Nasty As They Wanna Be''''' * Released: February 7, 1989 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: Double Platinum * Singles: "Me So Horny", "C'mon Babe", "The Fuck Shop", "Coolin" |- |align="left"|'''''Banned in the U.S.A.''''' * Released: July 24, 1990 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: Gold * Singles: "Banned in the U.S.A.", "Do the Bart" |- |align="left"|'''''Sports Weekend: As Nasty as They Wanna Be, Pt. 2''''' * Released: October 8, 1991 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: Gold * Singles: "Pop That Coochie" |- |align="left"|'''''Back at Your Ass for the Nine-4''''' * Released: February 8, 1994 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: * Singles: "Hell, Yeah", "You Go Girl" |- |align="left"|'''''Shake a Lil' Somethin'''''' * Released: August 6, 1996 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: * Singles: "Shake a Lil' Somethin'", "Do the Damn Thing", "Be My Private Dancer" |- |align="left"|'''''The Real One''''' * Released: April 7, 1998 * Chart positions: * RIAA certification: * Singles: "2 Live Party", "The Real One" |}
== Bibliography == * {{cite book |title=My Rise 2 Fame |date=July 20, 2015 |location=Delaware |publisher=Iconic Three Media Group |isbn=978-0-9964014-0-1 |url=https://www.amazon.ca/My-Rise-Fame-Autobiography-Legend-ebook/dp/B010NY9W06}}
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{Facebook|id= realfreshkidice/|name=Fresh Kid Ice}} *{{IMDb name|id= 1111333 | name= Fresh Kid Ice }} *{{Discogs artist}} *{{iTunes | us/artist/fresh-kid-ice/21807218 | name= Fresh Kid Ice }}
== Works cited == * {{cite book |title=My Rise 2 Fame |date=July 20, 2015 |location=Delaware |asin=B010NY9W06 |publisher=Iconic Three Media Group |isbn= |url=https://www.amazon.ca/My-Rise-Fame-Autobiography-Legend-ebook/dp/B010NY9W06}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Fresh Kid Ice}} {{2 Live Crew}}
Category:1964 births Category:2017 deaths Category:American hip-hop record producers Category:American musicians of Chinese descent Category:American rappers of Trinidad and Tobago descent Category:East Coast hip-hop musicians Category:Miami bass musicians Category:Southern hip-hop musicians Category:West Coast hip-hop musicians Category:Samuel J. Tilden High School alumni Category:Musicians from Port of Spain Category:Rappers from Brooklyn Category:Rappers from California Category:Rappers from Miami Category:American rappers of Asian descent Category:United States Air Force airmen Category:Deaths from hepatitis in the United States Category:Deaths from cirrhosis Category:Record producers from New York (state) Category:Alcohol-related deaths in Florida Category:Trinidad and Tobago people of Chinese descent Category:Trinidad and Tobago people of African descent Category:Trinidad and Tobago musicians