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Tone-Loc Biography
Rapper / Actor
Name at birth: Anthony Terrell Smith
1980s rap pioneer Tone-Loc was the second rap act ever to reach #1 on Billboard's album charts. (The Beastie Boys were the first.) His album Loc'd After Dark (1989) spawned the hit singles "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina"; they remain Loc's best-known tunes. After recording his 1991 follow-up album, Cool Hand Loc, the singer put his familiar raspy voice to work on TV and in film, landing roles on the TV series Roc and in films including Jim Carrey's breakthrough flick Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994) and the animated sci-fi epic Titan A.E. (2000).
Other rappers of the era include Tupac Shakur, Busta Rhymes, Dr. Dre and Foxy Brown.
Four Good Links
Superstar U.S.A.
Description of his short-lived reality TV show
The Dust Brothers
The Beastie Boys offer some background on the producers of Tone's big hit
Still Loc'ed After Dark
2000 interview from online mag IGN for Men; good detail, heavy on the hep lingo
IMDB: Tone-Loc Filmography
Details on all his films and TV shows, and not much more
Vital Stats
Birth
Birthplace
Death
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Best Known As
Rapper of 1989's "Wild Thing"