Tone-Loc

Tone-Loc entered the spotlight as Anthony Smith in 1989, when his raspy timbre and singular phrasing propelled the track “Wild Thing”—built around a sample of Van Halen’s “Jamie’s Cryin’”—into a major pop success. Marvin Young, widely recognized as Young MC, co-authored that breakthrough alongside the follow-up chart-topper “Funky Cold Medina.” Their joint effort, the album Loc-ed After Dark, became only the second rap project to reach number one on the pop album charts. Expanding beyond music, Tone-Loc took on acting roles in 1992 and 1993, including several appearances on the Fox sitcom Roc as well as parts in the films Posse and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective. He also resumed recording in 1991 with the release of Cool Hand Loc.