Khalid Alterch, alias ICE, from the Rotterdam market to the Mocro Maffia series

ICE grew up in the Delfshaven neighborhood with his parents: his mother is a housewife and his father is a merchant. As a teenager, he practiced muay-thai in a sports school in Coolhaven. In 2013, he obtained his degree (Bachelor’s). But he had trouble finding a job. Finally, he landed a job in disability care. He worked there for two years. On weekends, he worked with his father at the market to get by. At the time, he was caught up in the fever of rap, but he rapped for pleasure. In 2019, his single Miyek propelled him to the forefront of the scene. Success is within his reach.

A few months later, he played the role of Tonnano in the Mocro Maffia series and gained in popularity. "What surprised me the most is how many people watch the series. I still remember walking into a gas station and an elderly woman behind the counter recognized me. She would never have known me through my music, but she watched Mocro Maffia. She looked up, then down, then up again, took off her glasses and asked: "Is that you?" I found that so peculiar," Khalid recounts.

Subsequently, ICE became interested in theater and created the play ICE - Live in theater. The success is still there. He does not reveal the content. "So you have to buy a ticket, he laughs. What I can say is that I talk about my life and how, in the Netherlands, we have worked for thirty years to grow, but above all to grow separately. I don’t want disputes between people. I don’t want you to be there, you’re blue, and you want to fight against red, just because he’s red. I don’t want that. Maybe that’s my goal: to bring people together."

The screening of the film is a huge success, much to Khalid’s surprise. "Many people wonder how it’s possible that there are so many over 60s and Dutch people in my audience. But I know through my music and Mocro Maffia for years that my audience has become much broader. In the room, there are people who insult each other online, but here they sit side by side. Even people who vote for the PVV, so people who would rather see me out of the country. But they still come to my show. Incredible, isn’t it?"

Afterwards, he produces the brand new Tonnano series (a spin-off of Mocro Maffia), now available for streaming on Videoland. For now, there is only one season. Khalid hopes there will be more. He dreams big: he also wants to become a director. "And in addition, I one day want to make my own film. So I wouldn’t just want to act or produce, but really be the director. To be able to decide everything. Really put your personal stamp on it. Yes, that would be really great."

Alterch does not hesitate to express his gratitude to his father who still has his business at the market. "[...] My father hasn’t had to work for a long time. I would give him every penny I have. But he wants to continue. And as long as he wants to, I’ll help him. No matter how rich or famous I am, some things don’t change."