In 1990, Vanilla Ice released To The Extreme. This album would essentially sell over 15 million copies worldwide.
For an album that’s not talked about much these days, how did that happen? Did the South Florida rapper possess the lyrical ability similar to Rakim or Big Daddy Kane?
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Nah.
And/Or did his national debut feature production from hit makers such as Marley Marl, The Bomb Squad or Dr.Dre?
Nope.
The album contained the single, “Ice Ice Baby.” Apparently, that was enough.
“Ice Ice Baby” ruled the airways, dance floors, and the charts once it caught wind. It positioned To The Extreme at the top of Billboard 200 in which it stayed for 16 weeks.
I think it’s safe to say “Ice Ice Baby” should be accredited for the album’s mass success, however, it wasn’t the album’s only hit. “Play That Funky Music” peaked at number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
In hindsight, Vanilla Ice caught Hip Hop by surprise. Of course, it was his skin color that was the standout but it wasn’t like Hip Hop had not seen a white rapper before. The Beastie Boys and 3rd Bass, among others, had already graced the mic by then. However, it was the fact that the white rapper had a decent flow and could dance his a** off. At the time, he was one of the few — if not the only — that was as good of a dancer as MC Hammer. And the fact that he was white made him and the album worth checking for.
Since then, Ice has gotten flack for the “Ice Ice Baby” video. Vh1 listed it in it’s Top-25 Lame, but I object. I say the song, video, and dance moves were dope. Was it enough to sustained him for the longevity? Obviously, not. However, it was legit during the times.
Vanilla Ice’s ‘To the Extreme’; Classic, Dope, Regular, or Garbage?
Polls Are Closed!!
Regular – 33%
Dope – 33%
Classic! – 33%
Garbage – 0%