Music journalist Tom Breihan joins the host to explore the rise and fall of Vanilla Ice and his hit song 'Ice Ice Baby.' They discuss Vanilla Ice's impact on the 90s music industry, controversies surrounding sampling, and reflect on his legacy as a white rapper in a diverse genre.
Vanilla Ice's confidence and performance skills set him apart in the rap scene.
Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby was the first rap song to top the charts, impacting the genre.
Discussion on the authenticity concerns surrounding Vanilla Ice's career and persona.
Deep dives
Exploring Cult Bands and Iconic Artists
The podcast episode delves into the exploration of cult bands and iconic artists, providing a deep dive into their histories and discographies. The new season, featured on the Ringer Podcast Network, promises a diverse range of artists, spanning from grunge gods to powerpop pioneers and new metal legends. Listeners can expect new episodes every Thursday exclusively on Spotify.
Sponsorship Highlights: 7-Eleven and Thomas's
The episode features sponsor messages from 7-Eleven and Thomas's. 7-Eleven promotes their $3 big meal deal, comprised of a big bite hot dog and a large big gulp drink, emphasizing its affordability and convenience. On the other hand, Thomas's presents a quirky ad focusing on the paradoxical nature of bagels, creating a lighthearted and memorable sponsorship spot.
Top Five White Rapper Songs of the 1990s
The podcast episode humorously counts down the top five white rapper songs of the 1990s, featuring Tommy Lee's rap-rock side project, Methods of Mayhem. The discussion revolves around songs like 'Proposition Fuck You' and 'Get Naked,' showcasing notable collaborations and lyrical themes. Additionally, the episode critically analyzes the cultural impact and reception of these unconventional white rapper tracks.
Vanilla Ice's Artistry and Ice Ice Baby's Impact
Vanilla Ice's artistry is discussed, highlighting his unique qualities as a rapper. Despite not being considered a good rapper, his confidence and performance skills set him apart. Ice Ice Baby is analyzed as a rap song with strengths like memorability and effectiveness, particularly for young listeners. The significance of Ice Ice Baby as the first rap song to top the charts and its impact on the rap genre is explored, addressing its sampling and the potential backlash due to its success.
Cultural Impact and Authenticity Concerns
The episode delves into the cultural impact of Vanilla Ice and the authenticity concerns surrounding his career. His persona and background, including using a fake biography to distance himself from Dallas and present a different image, are scrutinized. The discussion extends to his dancing skills and performance style, reflecting on the era when rappers incorporated more dancing into their acts. The parallels drawn between Vanilla Ice and narratives like 8 Mile are dissected, examining the complexities of his portrayal and authenticity in the music industry.
Rob dives into his top five all-time favorite '90s white rapper songs when looking back at the rise and fall of Vanilla Ice with his 1990 hit “Ice Ice Baby.”
