Vanilla Ice says Ninja Turtles fans still discover ‘Ice Ice Baby’

Published by UPI on Mar 09, 2026 6:50 AM

By Fred Topel

LOS ANGELES, March 9 (UPI) — When Vanilla Ice was cast in 1991’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze, returning to theaters March 13 – 19 via Fathom Entertainment, it was because of his hit song “Ice Ice Baby.”

In 2026, he says young fans still discover his 1990 hit because they saw him in the Ninja Turtles film. When the Turtles fight other monsters in a dance club, Vanilla Ice freestyles “Ninja Rap” on the stage.

In a recent Zoom interview with UPI, Vanilla Ice, real name Rob Van Winkle, 58, said “Ninja Rap” outlasted “Ice Ice Baby.”

“They’re like, ‘Well, I started off with the Ninja Turtles and then I heard he did other songs,'” he said.

He did indeed do other songs and released six albums including one live concert recording. Now, Van Winkle discovers YouTube videos of young fans listening to his 1990 hit.

“They do these reaction videos where they’re listening to it for the first time on YouTube,” he said. “They’re already in their 30s and never heard ‘Ice Ice Baby.'”

Making ‘The Secret of the Ooze’

The film posits that Vanilla Ice can make up a rap about human-sized, fighting turtles on the spot. In real life, Van Winkle did not need much more time to write “Ninja Rap.”

“I did it in one night, actually the night before that in my hotel room,” he said. “I was so excited, I couldn’t sleep.”

In a mild spoiler alert for the 1991 movie, the Turtles win their fight. Then they dance with Vanilla Ice.