Loc-ed After Dark

2018 Reissue! Tone-Löc, born Anthony Smith, rose from relative obscurity to pop superstardom in 1989, when his collaboration with Young MC (Marvin Young), "Wild Thing," borrowed a hook from Van Halen's "Jamie's Cryin'" and caught fire. It was the first Top 10 pop hit for a black rapper. With his hoarse delivery and unmistakable gift for storytelling, Tone-L?c followed up the No. 1 smash with another Top 5 hit, "Funky Cold Medina." Riding the popularity of these tunes, L?c-ed After Dark would hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts and receive a double-platinum certification by the RIAA. L?c-ed After Dark was only the second rap album to top the pop charts-the Beastie Boys' Licensed to Ill was the first-and while the hits have been practically ingrained in American culture over time (thanks to being featured in movies, TV shows, and at generations of parties), the album holds up as a whole. Other than Tone-L?c's voice, the calling card is a funky, sample-heavy production by Delicious cofounders Matt Dike and Mike Ross, and the Dust Brothers, the team behind the Beasties' Paul's Boutique. Later in 1989, the practice of sampling came under legal fire and eventually mostly tapered off. L?c-ed After Dark is one of the last true examples of the art form that was allowed to flourish commercially. TRACKS: A1. On Fire (Remix) A2. Wild Thing A3. L?c-ed After Dark A4. I Got It Goin' On A5. Cutting Rhythms - B1. Funky Cold Medina B2. Next Episode B3. Cheeba Cheeba B4. Don't Get Close B5. L?c'in On The Shaw B6. The Homies