Vanilla Ice’s debut album To The Extreme may be remembered more for its cultural spectacle than its musical legacy, but it undeniably left a permanent mark on pop history. Catapulted to fame in 1990 by the ubiquitous “Ice Ice Baby” (which most definitely lifted its bass line from Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure”) Vanilla Ice quickly became both a commercial juggernaut and an object of ridicule. His rapid ascent and equally swift fall from hip hop stardom stemmed from his cartoonish persona, making him an easy target in a genre built on respect and street cred. Yet, despite being dismissed by critics and the hip hop community, Vanilla Ice has endured as a pop culture icon for embodying a kind of joyful absurdity that continues to entertain decades later. It’s well worth the time to check out Sway’s 20-minute interview with Ice just to hear the Suge Knight from the early 90’s. Incredible stuff really.
Standout Songs: “Ice Ice Baby”, “Hooked”, “Play That Funky Music”
