To the Extreme | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | September 10, 1990 | |||
Recorded | 1989–1990 | |||
Studio | Luminous Sound, Dallas, Texas | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 57:18 | |||
Label | ||||
Producer |
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Vanilla Ice chronology | ||||
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Singles from To the Extreme | ||||
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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.
...two pop-rap blockbusters had utterly dominated those album charts...nothing was getting past...Vanilla Ice's To The Extreme.