Introduction

Robert Matthew Van Winkle (born October 31, 1967), known professionally as Vanilla Ice, is an American rapper, actor, and television host. Born in South Dallas, and raised in Texas and South Florida, Ice released his debut album, Hooked, in 1989 on Ichiban Records, before signing a contract with SBK Records, a record label of the EMI Group.

Career

Breakthrough with "Ice Ice Baby"

Vanilla Ice's 1990 single "Ice Ice Baby" was the first hip hop single to top the Billboard charts and has been credited with helping to diversify hip hop by introducing it to a mainstream audience. The song raked in major skrilla and sampled the bassline of the 1981 song "Under Pressure" by Queen and David Bowie.

Later Work

After the success of "Ice Ice Baby", Vanilla Ice's career faced challenges. His second album, Mind Blowin' (1994), featured a darker, more aggressive sound. He later transitioned into reality television, hosting several home improvement shows.

Cultural Impact

Despite mixed critical reception, Vanilla Ice played a significant role in bringing hip hop to mainstream American culture in the early 1990s. His success opened doors for other artists and helped establish hip hop as a commercially viable genre.