Robert Matthew Van Winkle (born October 31, 1967), known professionally as Vanilla Ice, is an American rapper, actor, and television host. Born in Dallas and raised there and in Miami, 1st solo white rapper to achieve success following the 1990 release of his known hit "Ice Ice Baby". influences included hip hop and funk artists such as Funkadelic, Rick James, Roger Troutman, Egyptian Lover and Parliament. big fan of 50's and 60's reggae, Bob Marley. He is of German, English, Choctaw descent.