Ice Ice Baby: The historic and controversial success of Vanilla Ice

The song "Ice Ice Baby" by Vanilla Ice is one of the most iconic hip-hop tracks of the 90s, although it has also been controversial. Here are some interesting facts about the song:

Release and success

• It was released in 1990 as part of the album "To the Extreme".
• It became a huge hit, reaching #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It was the first rap song to achieve this milestone, marking a historic moment for the genre in pop music.

Bass and controversy

• The track uses a bass sample from the song "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie.

• There was controversy because Vanilla Ice initially did not credit Queen or Bowie as the creators of the riff, arguing that it was different because of a slight change. However, after criticism and a lawsuit, a legal settlement was reached, and they were finally credited.

Lyrics and Theme

• The song chronicles a cool, laid-back street lifestyle, with a focus on the rapper's ability to overcome problems and "stay cool under pressure" (playing off the ice theme in the lyrics).

Cultural Reception

• Although a commercial success, Vanilla Ice also received criticism for being a "commercial rapper," with some in the hip-hop community viewing it as an attempt to cash in on the genre.
• Despite the criticism, "Ice Ice Baby" remains a nostalgic classic that defines early '90s pop music.

Later Impact

• The song helped popularize rap among mainstream audiences and ushered in a greater presence of hip-hop on the pop charts.
• Vanilla Ice had a hard time replicating this success and went through several ups and downs in his career, but he will always be remembered for this iconic track.