Mr. T's Commandments

 

You did NOT mess with Mr. T back in the '80s (or now frankly.) 

Coming on the scene in the early '80s as Clubber Lang in Rocky III (where he got his trademark "I pity the fool" phrase.) And most famously as B.A. Baracus in The A-Team, he became a combination actor/motivational speaker/religious advocate during his A-Team success.

In 1984 at the height of his fame, he released Mr. T's Commandments (Columbia, 1984), a sort of motivational record aimed at kids. Using his life and career success as a role model to youth, on this album Mr. T encouraged kids to follow the rules, be honest, avoid peer pressure, stay in school and off drugs, booze and cigarettes and listen to their parents. Or else. A pure advocate for clean living. With rap lyrics interestingly written by a young Ice-T (credited as Ice Tea.)

Yep, This guy. (Wonder what Mr. T thought of "Cop Killer"?)

And you really did have to pity the fool kid who didn't eat his/her vegetables in the '80s. As the lyrics of "Mr. T's Commandment" go; "Honor thy mother and father/The Bible makes it clear/If you break the rule, God help you fool/You got Mr. T to fear!" The kid will even be asking for seconds.

Mr. T released a follow-up for MCA later in 1984, a soundtrack to a motivational video titled Be Somebody...or Be Somebody's Fool!, following the same moral principles of Mr. T's Commandments. 

The video and soundtrack featured not only '80s stars New Edition, Bobby Brown and Martika ("Toy Soldiers"), but a surprising number of acts who would later find success in the 1990s and 2000s, including Ice-T, Shanice ("I Love Your Smile") and even Fergie. 

Mr. T continues to act and appear on TV programs today.