To the Extreme
To the Extreme is the major label debut studio album of American rapper Vanilla Ice released on September 10, 1990 by SBK and EMI.[6] Recorded between 1989–90, it contains Vanilla Ice's most successful single, "Ice Ice Baby". It primarily contains hip hop and pop rap tracks produced by Earthquake, Kim Sharp, Khayree, and Darryl Williams.
Following the release of an early version of the album titled Hooked by Ichiban Records, Ice was signed by SBK for $325,000 and the mixtape was re-recorded and repackaged.[7] It was supported by the release of three official singles: "Ice Ice Baby", "Play That Funky Music" and "I Love You".
The album was met with lukewarm reviews, with some critics praising Ice's abilities and showmanship, and others the simplistic lyrics and comparisons with fellow rapper MC Hammer. The album sparked controversy due to the unlicensed samples included on the album, including "Under Pressure" by David Bowie and Queen that was later settled out of court.
Despite this, To the Extreme appeared at the top of the US Billboard 200 albums chart for sixteen consecutive weeks and was certified seven times platinum by RIAA. The lead single "Ice Ice Baby" was the first rap single to top the Billboard Hot 100. The album was certified platinum in Canada, Australia and United Kingdom selling over 15 million copies in total.[8][9] Ice was selected as the opening act of MC Hammer's 1990 tour, and later embarked on his To the Extreme World Tour, performing in North America, Europe, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Japan in 1991, and in Latin America in 1992.
Music[edit]
Vanilla Ice wrote "Ice Ice Baby" at the age of 16, basing its lyrics upon the South Florida area in which he was raised.[22] The lyrics describe a drive-by shooting and Vanilla Ice's rhyming skills.[23] The chorus of "Ice Ice Baby" originates from the signature chant of the national African American fraternity Alpha Phi Alpha.[24][25] The song's hook samples the bassline of the 1981 song "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie.[26] Freddie Mercury and David Bowie did not receive credit or royalties for the sample.[13] In a 1990 interview, Vanilla Ice joked the two melodies were slightly different because he had added an additional note.[27][28] Vanilla Ice later paid Mercury and Bowie, who have since been given songwriting credit for the sample.[27] However, he ended up purchasing the rights to the song, because it was cheaper than licensing the sample.[29]
The stylistic origins of "Rosta Man" are based upon reggae toasting.[19][30]
Commercial performance[edit]
To the Extreme was released in the US on September 10, 1990. On the issue of October 31, 1990 the album jumped from 23 to 7 on the US Billboard 200 selling over two million copies in its first five weeks of being released.[38] The album reached the number one spot on the week of November 10, 1990 ending a 23-week run by M.C. Hammer's Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em and it stayed at the top for sixteen consecutive weeks. At the time, To the Extreme was named the fastest debut album of all time.[39][40] In the same month, was certified gold, platinum, double-platinum, triple-platinum and quadruple-platinum in the next day, becoming one of the fastest-certified albums in history.[41][42]
By January 1991, it was the fastest selling album since Purple Rain (1984) reaching six million copies sold in just three months and four days.[43] Eventually, seven million copies were shipped across the United States.[44]
By March 1991, the album was closing in on 10.5 million units worldwide, just six months of been released.[45] To the Extreme was the best selling hip hop album up until that time. "Ice Ice Baby" has been credited for helping diversify hip hop by introducing it to a mainstream, white audience.[46]
In Canada, the album peaked at the number one and was certified 6 times platinum and won the Best Selling Album by a Foreign Artist at To the Extreme at the 1992 June Awards.