To the Extreme

2025-10-19T13:58:27Z

91.163.136.182:

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox album
| name = To the Extreme
| type = studio
| artist = [[Vanilla Ice]]
| cover = Vanilla Ice-To the Extreme (album cover).JPG
| alt =
| released = September 10, 1990
| recorded = 1989–1990
| studio = Luminous Sound, Dallas, Texas
| genre =
* [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]]<ref name="MurrayForman1">{{cite book |last1=Forman |first1=Murray |title=The 'hood Comes First: Race, Space, and Place in Rap and Hip-hop |year=2002 |publisher=Wesleyan University Press |isbn=0-8195-6397-8 |page=[https://archive.org/details/hoodcomesfirstra00form/page/61 61] |chapter='Welcome to the City' |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/hoodcomesfirstra00form/page/61 }}</ref>
* [[pop rap]]<ref name="Breihan 2021">{{cite web|first= Tom |last= Breihan |title= The Number Ones: Mariah Carey's "Someday|website= [[Stereogum]] |date= November 10, 2021 |url= https://www.stereogum.com/2166322/the-number-ones-mariah-careys-someday/columns/the-number-ones/|accessdate= December 20, 2023|quote= ...two pop-rap blockbusters had utterly dominated those album charts...nothing was getting past...Vanilla Ice’s ''To The Extreme''.}}</ref>
| length = 57:18
| label = {{hlist|[[SBK Records|SBK]]|[[EMI Records|EMI]]}}
| producer = * [[Vanilla Ice]]
* David DeBerry
* Kim Sharp
* [[Khayree]]
* Darryl Williams
* Mario "Choc" Johnson
* Earthquake
| prev_title =
| prev_year =
| next_title = [[Extremely Live]]
| next_year = 1991
| misc = {{Singles
| name = To the Extreme
| type = studio
| single1 = [[Ice Ice Baby]]
| single1date = August 22, 1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.amazon.com/Ice-Baby-Vanilla/dp/B00008ETDV|title=Ice Ice Baby|work=[[Amazon (company)|Amazon]]|access-date=2019-12-01}}</ref>
| single2 = [[Play That Funky Music#Vanilla Ice version|Play That Funky Music]]
| single2date = November 19, 1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&se=Vanilla+Ice#search_section|title=Play That Funky Music|publisher=[[Recording Industry Association of America]]|access-date=2019-11-09}}</ref>
| single3 = [[I Love You (Vanilla Ice song)|I Love You]]
| single3date = February 14, 1991<ref>"[http://www.allmusic.com/artist/vanilla-ice-mn0000262445/awards Awards]", [[AllMusic]]. Retrieved April 27, 2013</ref>
}}
}}
'''''To the Extreme''''' is the major-label debut [[studio album]] by American rapper [[Vanilla Ice]], released on September 10, 1990, by [[SBK Records]] and [[EMI Records]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Vanilla+Ice&ti=To+the+Extreme&format=Album&type=#search_section|title=RIAA|website=[[Recording Industry Association of America]] }}</ref> Recorded between 1989–90, it contains Vanilla Ice's most successful single, "[[Ice Ice Baby]]". It primarily contains [[Hip hop music|hip hop]] and [[pop rap]] tracks produced by Earthquake, Kim Sharp, Khayree, and Darryl Williams.

Following the release of an early version of the album titled '''''Hooked''''' by [[Ichiban Records]] in 1989, Ice was signed by SBK for $325,000 and the mixtape was partially re-recorded and repackaged under the ''To the Extreme'' name.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Charnas |first=Dan |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=idYFcmXcRm4C&dq=Vanilla+Ice+to+the+extreme+album&pg=PT400 |title=The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop |date=2011-11-01 |publisher=Penguin |isbn=978-1-101-56811-8 |language=en}}</ref> It was supported by the release of three official singles: "Ice Ice Baby", "[[Play That Funky Music]]" and "[[I Love You (Vanilla Ice song)|I Love You]]".

The album was met with lukewarm reviews, with some critics praising Ice's abilities and showmanship, and others the simplistic lyrics and comparisons with fellow rapper [[MC Hammer]]. The album sparked controversy due to the unlicensed samples included on the album, including "[[Under Pressure]]" by David Bowie and Queen that was later settled out of court. Despite the controversies, ''To the Extreme'' appeared at the top of the US ''[[Billboard 200]]'' albums chart for sixteen consecutive weeks and was certified seven times platinum by [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]. The lead single "Ice Ice Baby" was the first rap single to top the ''[[Billboard Hot 100]]''. The album was certified platinum in Canada, Australia and United Kingdom selling over 15 million copies in total.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7rst3311lM&feature=fvwrel |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/v7rst3311lM| archive-date=2021-12-12 |url-status=live|title=Vanilla ice special 1999 |publisher=YouTube |date=2008-01-15 |access-date=2014-01-08}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeske |first=Lee |date=October 19, 1991 |title=Vanilla Ice: Hollywood, Hollywood Baby |pages=7 |work=Cash Box |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Cash-Box-IDX/90s/1991/CB-1991-10-19-OCR-Page-0007.pdf#search=%22vanilla%20ice%22}}</ref> Ice was selected as the opening act of MC Hammer's 1990 tour, and later embarked on his [[To the Extreme World Tour]], performing in North America, Europe, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Japan in 1991, and in Latin America in 1992.

==History==
[[File:Hooked cover.jpg|left|thumb|Album cover of ''Hooke''d, released by Ichiban Records]]
In late 1989, Vanilla Ice released an early version of ''To the Extreme'' under the title ''Hooked'' on the independent label [[Ichiban Records]].<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r77427|pure_url=yes}} |title=Overview for ''Hooked'' |access-date=2009-03-07 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/release/528366 |title=Information for ''Hooked'' |access-date=2009-03-07 |publisher=Discogs}}</ref><ref name="Price">{{cite web|url=http://www.live-metal.net/features_interviews_vanillaice|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071012183317/http://www.live-metal.net/features_interviews_vanillaice|url-status=usurped|archive-date=October 12, 2007|title=The Next Ice Age|access-date=2008-04-26|last=Price|first=Jason|publisher=Live-Metal}}</ref> "[[Play That Funky Music]]" was released as the album's first single, with "[[Ice Ice Baby]]" appearing as the [[A-side and B-side|B-side]].<ref name="Westfahl">{{cite book |last1=Westfahl |first1=Gary |title=Science Fiction, Children's Literature, and Popular Culture |year=2000 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=0-313-30847-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/sciencefictionch00west_0/page/100 100] |chapter=Legends of the Fall: Behind the Music |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/sciencefictionch00west_0/page/100 }}</ref><ref name="Wartofsky">{{cite news |first=Alona |last=Wartofsky |title=The Iceman Returneth; Vanilla Ice: Once Hated, He's Back With a Different Rap |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-696609.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023110920/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-696609.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 23, 2012 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=November 22, 1998 |access-date=13 February 2009}}</ref> The [[12-inch single]] featured the [[Radio edit|radio]], [[instrumental]] and [[a cappella]] versions of "Play That Funky Music" and the radio version and "Miami Drop" [[remix]] of "Ice Ice Baby".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Vanilla-Ice-Ice-Ice-Baby/release/204062 |title=Information for "Ice Ice Baby" (12") |access-date=2009-02-13 |publisher=Discogs}}</ref> When a [[disc jockey]] played "Ice Ice Baby" instead of the single's A-side, the song gained more success than "Play That Funky Music".<ref name="Westfahl" /> A [[music video]] for "Ice Ice Baby" was produced for $8,000.<ref>{{cite news |first=Michael |last=Corcoran |title=Black and white & rap all over: Mass America moves to beat of hip-hop |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=CSTB&p_theme=cstb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB3733140C43839&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=January 27, 1991 |access-date=26 February 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Robert |last=Hilburn |title=Why Is Everyone Still Fussing About Ice? |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61138632.xml?dids=61138632:61138632&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+17%2C+1991&author=ROBERT+HILBURN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=COVER+STORY+WAR+OF+THE+RAP+EGOS+VANILLA+ICE+Why+Is+Everyone+Still+Fussing+About+Ice%3F&pqatl=google |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=March 17, 1991 |access-date=26 February 2009 |archive-date=15 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415003752/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/access/61138632.xml?dids=61138632:61138632&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+17%2C+1991&author=ROBERT+HILBURN&pub=Los+Angeles+Times+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=COVER+STORY+WAR+OF+THE+RAP+EGOS+VANILLA+ICE+Why+Is+Everyone+Still+Fussing+About+Ice%3F&pqatl=google |url-status=dead }}</ref> The video was financed by Vanilla Ice's manager, Tommy Quon, and shot on the roof of a warehouse in [[Dallas, Texas]].<ref>{{cite news |first=Ken Parish |last=Perkins |title=Building with Ice: Tommy Quon struggled for years running clubs -- then found a ticket out |url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=DM&p_theme=dm&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0ED56208AA285247&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM |newspaper=[[The Dallas Morning News]] |date=March 31, 1991 |access-date=26 February 2009}}</ref>

In 1990, Vanilla Ice signed to [[SBK Records]], who reissued ''Hooked'' under the title ''To the Extreme''. The reissue contained new artwork and music.<ref name="Huey"/> "Ice Ice Baby" was released in August 1990 as a single in its own right, by SBK in the United States, and [[EMI Records]] in the United Kingdom. The SBK single contained the "Miami Drop", instrumental and radio mixes of "Ice Ice Baby" and the album version of "It's A Party".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Vanilla-Ice-Ice-Ice-Baby/release/217177 |title=Information for "Ice Ice Baby" (SBK) |access-date=2009-02-13 |publisher=Discogs}}</ref> The EMI single contained the club and radio mixes of the song, and the shortened radio edit.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/Vanilla-Ice-Ice-Ice-Baby/release/210032 |title=Information for "Ice Ice Baby" (EMI) |access-date=2009-02-13 |publisher=Discogs}}</ref>

== Music ==
Vanilla Ice wrote "Ice Ice Baby" at the age of 16, basing its lyrics upon the [[South Florida]] area in which he was raised.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2007/nov/03/popandrock.exhibition |title=Is this it? |access-date=2009-02-13 |last=Rayner |first=Alex |date=November 3, 2007 |newspaper=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The lyrics describe a [[drive-by shooting]] and Vanilla Ice's rhyming skills.<ref name="PerulloFenn">{{cite book |last1=Perullo |first1=Alex |last2=Fenn |first2=John |editor1-first=Berger |editor1-last=Harris M. |editor2-first=Carroll |editor2-last=Michael Thomas |title=Global Pop, Local Language |year=2003 |publisher=Univ. Press of Mississippi |isbn=1-57806-536-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/globalpoplocalla0000unse/page/25 25] |chapter=Ideologies, Choices, and Practicies in Eastern African Hip Hop |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/globalpoplocalla0000unse/page/25 }}</ref> The chorus of "Ice Ice Baby" originates from the signature chant of the national [[African American]] fraternity [[Alpha Phi Alpha]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Keyes |first1=Cheryl L |title=Rap Music and Street Consciousness |year=2004 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=0-252-07201-4 |page=[https://archive.org/details/rapmusicstreetco0000keye/page/107 107] |chapter=Blending and Shaping Styles: Rap and Other Musical Voices |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/rapmusicstreetco0000keye/page/107 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Fine |first1=Elizabeth Calvert |title=Soulstepping: African American Step Shows |year=2003 |publisher=University of Illinois Press |isbn=0-252-02475-3 |page=[https://archive.org/details/soulsteppingafri0000fine/page/145 145] |chapter=The Cultural Politics of Step Shows |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/soulsteppingafri0000fine/page/145 }}</ref> The song's hook [[sample (music)|sample]]s the [[bass guitar|bass]]line of the 1981 song "[[Under Pressure]]" by [[Queen (band)|Queen]] and [[David Bowie]].<ref name="Hess">{{cite book |last=Hess |first=Mickey |title=Is Hip Hop Dead? |year=2007 |publisher=Greenwood Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-275-99461-7 |page=[https://archive.org/details/ishiphopdeadpast00hess_0/page/118 118] |chapter=Vanilla Ice: The Elvis of Rap |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/ishiphopdeadpast00hess_0/page/118 }}</ref> [[Freddie Mercury]] and [[David Bowie]] did not receive credit or royalties for the sample.<ref name="Westfahl"/> In a 1990 interview, Vanilla Ice joked the two melodies were slightly different because he had added an additional note.<ref name="Stillman">{{cite news |url=http://www.iowastatedaily.com/articles/2006/02/27/news/20060227-archive5.txt |title=Word to your mother |access-date=2009-02-13 |last=Stillman |first=Kevin |date=February 27, 2006 |newspaper=[[Iowa State Daily]] |archive-date=2009-12-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091204151103/http://www.iowastatedaily.com/articles/2006/02/27/news/20060227-archive5.txt |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Adams |first1=Nick |author-link=Nick Adams (comedian) |title=Making Friends with Black People |year=2006 |publisher=Kensington Books |isbn=0-7582-1295-X |page=75 |chapter=When White Rappers Attack}}</ref> Vanilla Ice later paid Mercury and Bowie, who have since been given songwriting credit for the sample.<ref name="Stillman"/> However, he ended up purchasing the rights to the song, because it was cheaper than licensing the sample.<ref name=exclaim>{{Cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/apparently_vanilla_ice_owns_the_rights_to_under_pressure|title=Vanilla Ice Apparently Owns the Rights to 'Under Pressure'|website=Exclaim.ca|access-date=6 January 2022}}</ref>

The stylistic origins of "Rosta Man" are based upon [[reggae]] [[Deejay (Jamaican)|toasting]].<ref name="Huey">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r28388|pure_url=yes}} |title=Review of ''To the Extreme'' |access-date=2009-03-07 |last=Huey |first=Steve |publisher=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Perkins |first1=William Eric |title=Droppin' Science: Critical Essays on Rap Music and Hip Hop Culture |year=1996 |publisher=Temple University Press |isbn=1-56639-362-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/droppinsciencecr0000unse/page/199 199] |chapter=Whiteface mimicry: dissin' race and culture |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/droppinsciencecr0000unse/page/199 }}</ref>

== Critical reception ==
{{Music ratings
| rev1 = [[AllMusic]]
| rev1score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Huey"/>
| rev2 = [[Robert Christgau]]
| rev2score = C−<ref name="Christgau"/>
| rev3 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev3score = B<ref name="Udovitch"/>
| rev4 = ''[[New Musical Express|NME]]''
| rev4score = 7/10<ref name="nme">{{cite magazine|first=Stephen|last=Dalton|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/nothingelseon/52272551458/|title=Long Play|magazine=[[New Musical Express|NME]]|date=12 January 1991|page=26|access-date=3 April 2023}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide]]''
| rev5score = {{Rating|3|5}}<ref name="Cross">{{cite book|last=Cross|first=Charles R.|author-link=Charles R. Cross|editor1-last=Brackett|editor1-first=Nathan|editor2-last=Hoard|editor2-first=Christian|title=[[The Rolling Stone Album Guide|The New Rolling Stone Album Guide]]|publisher=[[Simon & Schuster]]|edition=4th|year=2004|isbn=0-7432-0169-8|chapter=Vanilla Ice|pages=[https://archive.org/details/newrollingstonea00brac/page/843 843-44]}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]''
| rev6score = (2/5)<ref name="select" />
| rev7 = ''[[Smash Hits]]''
| rev7score = (8/10)<ref name="Smash Hits Review">{{cite journal |first=Marc |last=Andrews |title=Review: Vanilla Ice: To the Extreme (SBK) |journal=[[Smash Hits]] |publisher=[[EMAP|EMAP Metro]] |issue=12–25 December 1990 |page=54}}</ref>
}}
''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' reviewer Dom Lombardo gave the album a B, calling the album "so consistent in its borrowings that it could be a parody, if it weren't for its total absence of wit",<ref name="Udovitch">{{cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/article/1990/11/02/extreme |title=Review of ''To the Extreme'' |access-date=2009-02-13 |last=Udovitch |first=Mim |date=November 2, 1990 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |archive-date=2009-04-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090415125856/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,318500,00.html |url-status=live }}</ref> but concluding that "if there's about a two-to-one ratio of winners [...] to clunkers, that's not the worst track record for a debut album."<ref name="Udovitch"/> Udovitch cited "Ice Ice Baby", "Play That Funky Music", "Dancin'" and "It's a Party" as the album's highlights.<ref name="Udovitch"/> [[Robert Christgau]] gave the album a C− rating, writing that Vanilla Ice's "suave sexism, fashionably male supremacist rather than dangerously obscene, is no worse than his suave beats".<ref name="Christgau">{{cite news |url=http://www.robertchristgau.com/get_artist.php?name=Vanilla+Ice |title=Review of ''To the Extreme'' |access-date=2009-03-07 |last=Christgau |first=Robert |year=1990 |newspaper=[[The Village Voice]]}}</ref> Stephen Dalton from ''[[New Musical Express|NME]]'' wrote, "''To the Extreme'' is the highly competent debut from a major pop talent. Listen without prejudice."<ref name="nme"/> ''[[Select (magazine)|Select]]'' stated that the album "packs in just about every musical and lyrical code of rap, yet still says nothing" and that "Kids and neophytes have a right to love it, but grown-ups will find Vanilla Ice spectacularly hollow."<ref name="select">{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Select (magazine)|Select]]|title=Reviews|last=Brown|first=Russell|page=73|date=February 1991}}</ref>

[[AllMusic]] reviewer Steve Huey wrote that:<ref name="Huey"/>
<blockquote>Ice's mic technique is actually stronger and more nimble than [[MC Hammer]]'s, and he really tries earnestly to show off the skills he does have. Unfortunately, even if he can keep a mid-tempo pace, his flow is rhythmically stiff, and his voice has an odd timbre; plus, he never seems sure of the proper accent to adopt. He's able to overcome those flaws somewhat in isolated moments, but they become all too apparent over the course of an entire album.</blockquote>

After audiences began to view Vanilla Ice as a novelty act, his popularity began to decline. He would later regain some success, attracting a new audience outside of the mainstream audience that had formerly accepted him, and then rejected him.<ref>{{cite news |title=Catching Up With... Vanilla Ice |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/discussion/2006/02/16/DI2006021601769.html |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=February 17, 2006 |access-date=13 February 2009}}</ref>

== Commercial performance ==
''To the Extreme'' was released in the US on September 10, 1990. On the issue of October 31, 1990 the album jumped from 23 to 7 on the [[Billboard 200|US Billboard 200]] selling over two million copies in its first five weeks of being released.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Holden |first=Stephen |date=October 17, 1990 |title=The Pop Life: Vanilla Ice invades the rap scene Some Marvin Gaye treasures are released Slow and steady gets James Ingram a No. 1 single. |pages=C17 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/108481914 |url-access=subscription |issn=0362-4331 |id=108481914 }}</ref> The album reached the number one spot on the week of November 10, 1990 ending a 23-week run by M.C. Hammer's ''[[Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em]]'' and it stayed at the top for sixteen consecutive weeks. At the time, To the Extreme was named the fastest debut album of all time selling over 6 million on 14 weeks.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/90s/1990/Billboard-1990-12-22.pdf|title=Billboard|date=December 22, 1990|website=Worldradiohistory.com|access-date=6 January 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Perkins |first1=William Eric |title=Droppin' Science: Critical Essays on Rap Music and Hip Hop Culture |year=1996 |publisher=Temple University Press |isbn=1-56639-362-0 |page=[https://archive.org/details/droppinsciencecr0000unse/page/37 37] |chapter=The great white hoax |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/droppinsciencecr0000unse/page/37 }}</ref> In the same month, was certified gold, platinum, double-platinum, triple-platinum and quadruple-platinum in the next day, becoming one of the fastest-certified ''albums'' in history.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 15, 1990 |title=Hammer, Aerosmith, Ice Tops in Nov. Certs |pages=9 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/226974223 |url-access=subscription |id=226974223 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine |date=December 14, 1991 |title=Garth Ropes An RIM Sales Record Bolton, Cole, Van Halen Also Soar In Nov. |pages=12 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-12-14-Billboard-Page-0012.pdf#search=%22vanilla%20ice%22}}</ref>

By January 1991, it was the fastest selling album since ''[[Purple Rain (album)|Purple Rain (1984)]]'' reaching six million copies sold in just three months and four days.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=January 12, 1991 |title=It Was Feast Or Famine In '90 Cens Platinum Ranks Thin, But Smashes Soar |pages=9 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Billboard-Index/IDX/1991/1991-01-12-Billboard-Page-0009.pdf#search=%22vanilla%20ice%22}}</ref> Eventually, seven million copies were shipped across the [[United States]].<ref>{{cite journal |last=Kihn |first=Martin |date=May 18, 1992 |title=Charles in Charge |journal=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |volume=25 |issue=20 |page=40}}</ref>

By March 1991, the album was closing in on 10.5 million units worldwide, just six months from being released.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hilburn |first=Robert |date=1991-03-17 |title=COVER STORY : WAR OF THE RAP EGOS : VANILLA ICE : Why Is Everyone Still Fussing About Ice? |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-03-17-ca-687-story.html |access-date=2023-08-07 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref> ''To the Extreme'' was the best selling hip hop album up until that time. "Ice Ice Baby" has been credited for helping diversify hip hop by introducing it to a mainstream, white audience.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Kyllonen |first1=Tommy |title=Un.orthodox: Church. Hip-Hop. Culture |year=2007 |publisher=Zondervan |isbn=978-0-310-27439-1 |page=92 |chapter=An unorthodox culture: hip-hop's history}}</ref>

In Canada, the album peaked at the number one and was certified 6 times platinum and won the Best Selling Album by a Foreign Artist at To the Extreme at the 1992 June Awards.

==Track listing==
The first version was released in 1989 by the independent record label Ichiban Records under the title ''Hooked''. Vanilla Ice eventually signed to SBK Records, who reissued the album under its current name, ''To the Extreme'', with some differences in the track list. ''To the Extreme'' contains all tracks from ''Hooked'' except for "Satisfaction", and six extra tracks: "Yo Vanilla", "Stop That Train", "Ice Is Workin' It", "Life Is a Fantasy" and "Juice to Get Loose Boy". "Havin' a Roni" was a hidden track on ''Hooked''.<ref name="Huey"/>{{Track listing
| headline = ''Hooked''
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 47:38
| title1 = [[Ice Ice Baby]]
| writer1 = {{hlist|Vanilla Ice|Earthquake|[[Freddie Mercury]]|[[Brian May]]|[[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]]|[[John Deacon]]|[[David Bowie]]}}
| extra1 = Vanilla Ice
| length1 = 4:31
| title2 = [[Play That Funky Music#Vanilla Ice version|Play That Funky Music]]
| writer2 = 
| extra2 = Vanilla Ice
| length2 = 4:22
| title3 = Hooked
| writer3 = Vanilla Ice
| extra3 = [[Khayree]]
| length3 = 4:52
| title4 = Satisfaction
| writer4 = {{hlist|Vanilla Ice|[[Mick Jagger]]|[[Keith Richards]]}}
| extra4 = [[Khayree]]
| length4 = 3:46
| title5 = [[I Love You (Vanilla Ice song)|I Love You]]
| writer5 = Vanilla Ice
| extra5 = Kim Sharp
| length5 = 5:06
| title6 = Dancin{{'-}}
| writer6 = {{hlist|Vanilla Ice|Earthquake}}
| extra6 = {{hlist|Earthquake|Khayree}}
| length6 = 5:03
| title7 = Go Ill
| writer7 = Vanilla Ice
| extra7 = David Deberry
| length7 = 5:00
| title8 = It's a Party
| writer8 = Vanilla Ice
| extra8 = [[Khayree]]
| length8 = 4:39
| title9 = Ice Cold
| writer9 = Vanilla Ice
| extra9 = Darryl Williams
| length9 = 4:05
| title10 = Rosta Man
| writer10 = Vanilla Ice
| extra10 = Darryl Williams
| length10 = 4:36
| title11 = Havin' a Roni
| extra11 = Vanilla Ice
| writer11 = Vanilla Ice
| length11 = 1:09
| note11 = Hidden track
}}

{{Track listing
| headline = ''To the Extreme''
| extra_column = Producer(s)
| total_length = 57:18
| title1 = [[Ice Ice Baby]]
| writer1 = {{hlist|Vanilla Ice|Earthquake|[[Freddie Mercury]]|[[Brian May]]|[[Roger Taylor (Queen drummer)|Roger Taylor]]|[[John Deacon]]|[[David Bowie]]|Mario "Chocolat" Johnson}}
| extra1 = Vanilla Ice
| length1 = 4:33
| title2 = Yo Vanilla
| writer2 = Vanilla Ice
| extra2 = Vanilla Ice
| length2 = 0:04
| title3 = Stop That Train
| writer3 = {{hlist|Vanilla Ice|Earthquake|Mario "Chocolat" Johnson}}
| extra3 = Vanilla Ice
| length3 = 4:31
| title4 = Hooked
| writer4 = Vanilla Ice
| extra4 = [[Khayree]]
| length4 = 4:52
| title5 = Ice Is Workin' It
| writer5 = {{hlist|Vanilla Ice|Earthquake|Mario "Chocolat" Johnson}}
| extra5 = Vanilla Ice
| length5 = 4:36
| title6 = Life Is a Fantasy
| writer6 = {{hlist|Vanilla Ice|Earthquake}}
| extra6 = Earthquake
| length6 = 4:47
| title7 = [[Play That Funky Music#Vanilla Ice version|Play That Funky Music]]
| writer7 = [[Rob Parissi]]
| extra7 = Vanilla Ice
| length7 = 4:45
| title8 = Dancin{{'-}}
| writer8 = {{hlist|Vanilla Ice|Earthquake}}
| extra8 = {{hlist|Earthquake|Khayree}}
| length8 = 5:00
| title9 = Go Ill
| writer9 = Vanilla Ice
| extra9 = David Deberry
| length9 = 4:58
| title10 = It's a Party
| writer10 = {{hlist|Vanilla Ice|Mario "Chocolat" Johnson}}
| extra10 = [[Khayree]]
| length10 = 4:39
| title11 = Juice to Get Loose Boy
| writer11 = Vanilla Ice
| extra11 = Vanilla Ice
| length11 = 0:08
| title12 = Ice Cold
| writer12 = Vanilla Ice
| extra12 = Darryl Williams
| length12 = 4:05
| title13 = Rosta Man
| writer13 = Vanilla Ice
| extra13 = Darryl Williams
| length13 = 4:36
| title14 = [[I Love You (Vanilla Ice song)|I Love You]]
| writer14 = Vanilla Ice
| extra14 = Kim Sharp
| length14 = 5:06
| title15 = Havin' a Roni
| writer15 = Vanilla Ice
| extra15 = Vanilla Ice
| length15 = 1:09
}}

==Personnel==
The following people contributed on ''To the Extreme'':<ref>{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r28388|pure_url=yes}} |title=Credits for ''To the Extreme'' |access-date=2009-03-07 |website=[[AllMusic]]}}</ref>
*[[Vanilla Ice]] – [[vocals]], [[lyrics]], [[Record producer|producer]]

===Additional musicians===
*Paul Loomis – [[synthesizer|keyboards]], producer, engineer, keyboard bass
*Craig Pride – vocals

===Technical personnel===
*Deshay – overdubs, beats
*George Anderson – engineer
*Tim Kimsey – engineer
*Tommy Quon – executive producer
*Kim Sharp – producer
*Stacy Brownrigg – Engineer
*Gary Wooten – engineer
*Henry Falco – engineer
*Khayree – producer
*Janet Perr – art direction, design
*Michael Lavine – photography
*Darryl Williams – producer
*Michael Sarsfield – engineer
*David DeBerry – producer, bass, keys, programming, writer

==Charts==
{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}

===Weekly charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1990–1991)
!Peak<br /> position
|-
{{album chart|Australia|9|artist=Vanilla Ice|album=To the Extreme}}
|-
{{album chart|Austria|8|artist=Vanilla Ice|album=To the Extreme}}
|-
|Belgian Albums ([[Ultratop|BEA]])<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Billboard-Magazine.htm |title=Billboard Magazine|magazine=Billboard |access-date=July 30, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
|Canadian Albums ([[RPM (magazine)|RPM]])<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/discover/films-videos-sound-recordings/rpm/Pages/image.aspx?Image=nlc008388.1416&URLjpg=http%3a%2f%2fwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca%2fobj%2f028020%2ff4%2fnlc008388.1416.gif&Ecopy=nlc008388.1416 |title=RPM 100 Albums |journal=[[RPM (magazine)|RPM]] |issue=7 |date=January 19, 1991 |volume=53 |publisher=archived at [[Library and Archives Canada]] |access-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|1
|-
{{album chart|Netherlands|17|artist=Vanilla Ice|album=To the Extreme}}
|-
|align="left"|Finnish Albums ([[The Official Finnish Charts|Suomen virallinen lista]])<ref>source:
Pennanen, Timo: Sisältää hitin - levyt ja esittäjät Suomen musiikkilistoilla vuodesta 1972. Helsinki: Kustannusosakeyhtiö Otava, 2006. {{ISBN|9789511210535}}. page: 280</ref>
|align="center"|9
|-
|align="left"|French Albums ([[French Albums Chart|SNEP]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infodisc.fr/Album_Artiste_Choisi.php|title=Tous les Albums de l'Artiste choisi|publisher=InfoDisc|access-date=July 24, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|46
|-
|German Albums ([[GfK Entertainment|Offizielle Top 100]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://musicline.de/de/product/Vanilla+Ice/To+The+Extreme/CD///77779532520|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211115163349/http://musicline.de/de/product/Vanilla+Ice/To+The+Extreme/CD///77779532520|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 15, 2021|title=Die ganze Musik im Internet: Charts, Neuerscheinungen, Tickets, Genres, Genresuche, Genrelexikon, Knstler-Suche, Musik-Suche, Track-Suche, Ticket-Suche - musicline.de|work=musicline.de}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|13
|-
|align="left"|Irish Albums ([[Irish Albums Chart|IRMA]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishcharts.ie/|title=Irish Charts|publisher=Irish Charts|access-date=July 27, 2017}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|7
|-
|align="left"|Japanese Albums ([[Oricon Albums Chart|Oricon]])<ref name="Jachart">{{cite book|title=Oricon Album Chart Book: Complete Edition 1970-2005|publisher=Oricon Entertainment|location=[[Roppongi]], [[Tokyo]]|year=2006|isbn=4-87131-077-9}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|60
|-
{{album chart|New Zealand|11|artist=Vanilla Ice|album=To the Extreme}}
|-
{{album chart|Norway|11|artist=Vanilla Ice|album=To the Extreme}}
|-
|align="left"|Spanish Albums ([[Spanish Albums Chart|AFE]])<ref>{{cite book |last=Salaverri|first=Fernando|title=Sólo éxitos: año a año, 1959–2002|edition=1st |date=September 2005|publisher=Fundación Autor-SGAE|location=Spain|isbn=84-8048-639-2}}</ref>
|align="center"|14
|-
{{album chart|Sweden|17|artist=Vanilla Ice|album=To the Extreme}}
|-
{{album chart|Switzerland|6|artist=Vanilla Ice|album=To the Extreme}}
|-
|UK Albums ([[Official Charts Company|OCC]])<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26599/vanilla-ice/|title=VANILLA ICE | full Official Chart History | Official Charts Company|website=Officialcharts.com|access-date=6 January 2022}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|4
|-
{{album chart|Billboard200|1|artist=Vanilla Ice}}
|-
{{album chart|BillboardRandBHipHop|6|artist=Vanilla Ice}}
|-
|Zimbabwean Albums ([[List of record charts|ZIMA]])<ref>* Zimbabwe. Kimberley, C. ''Zimbabwe: albums chart book''. Harare: C. Kimberley, 2000</ref>
|align="center"|4
|-
|}
{{col-2}}

===Year-end charts===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1990)
!Position
|-
{{album chart|Canada|32|chartid=9145|access-date=December 29, 2024|refname=CA_YE90}}
|}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
!Chart (1991)
!Position
|-
{{album chart|Canada|8|chartid=1702|access-date=December 29, 2024|refname=CA_YE91}}
|-
|Dutch Albums (Album Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://dutchcharts.nl/jaaroverzichten.asp?year=1991&cat=a|title=Jaaroverzichten – Album 1991|website=dutchcharts.nl|access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|59
|-
|German Albums (Offizielle Top 100)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.offiziellecharts.de/charts/album-jahr/for-date-1991|title=Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts|language=de|work=[[GfK Entertainment]]|publisher=offiziellecharts.de|access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|61
|-
|Swiss Albums (Schweizer Hitparade)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hitparade.ch/charts/jahreshitparade/1991/alben|title=Schweizer Jahreshitparade 1991|website=hitparade.ch|access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|34
|-
|US ''Billboard'' 200<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1991/top-billboard-200-albums|title=Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1991|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|6
|-
|US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (''Billboard'')<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/charts/year-end/1991/top-r-and-b-hip-hop-albums|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1991|magazine=Billboard|access-date=August 22, 2021}}</ref>
|align="center"|43
|}

===Decade-end charts===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Chart (1990–1999)
!Position
|-
| US ''Billboard'' 200<ref name="1990sbb">{{cite book | author = Geoff Mayfield | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=9w0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA4 | title = 1999 The Year in Music Totally '90s: Diary of a Decade - The listing of Top Pop Albums of the '90s & Hot 100 Singles of the '90s | publisher = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | date = December 25, 1999 | access-date = October 15, 2010}}</ref>
| style="text-align:center;"|20
|}
{{col-end}}

==Certifications==
{{Certification Table Top}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Australia|type=album|artist=Vanilla Ice|title=To the Extreme|relyear=1989|award=Platinum|certref=<ref name=ryan>{{cite book|last=Ryan|first=Gavin|title=Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010|year=2011|publisher=Moonlight Publishing|location=Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia}}</ref>|access-date=August 16, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Canada|type=album|artist=Vanilla Ice|title=To the Extreme|relyear=1989|certyear=1991|award=Platinum|number=6|access-date=August 16, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=France|type=album|award=|artist=Vanilla Ice|title=To the Extreme|relyear=1989|nocert=true|salesamount=90,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-09-21.pdf|magazine=[[Music & Media]]|title=Ohayon Eye No.3 Spot for EMI France|page=7|date=21 September 1991|access-date=February 18, 2023}}</ref>}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=New Zealand|type=album|artist=Vanilla Ice|title=To the Extreme|relyear=1989|id=1991-05-17|source=newchart|access-date=2024-11-20|award=Gold}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Spain|type=album|artist=Vanilla Ice|title=To the Extreme|relyear=1989|certyear=1991|award=Gold|certref=<ref name="Spanish certifications 1979-1990">{{cite book|url=http://www.mediafire.com/view/x263f6daopkswo8|title=Sólo Éxitos 1959–2002 Año A Año: Certificados 1979–1990|year=2005|publisher=Iberautor Promociones Culturales|language=es|isbn=8480486392}}</ref>|access-date=August 16, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=Singapore|title=To The Extreme|artist=Vanilla Ice|type=album|award=|nocert=true|salesamount=60,000|salesref=<ref>{{cite web | url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/newpaper19910910-1.2.23.7 | title=NewspaperSG }}</ref>}}{{Certification Table Entry|region=Switzerland|type=album|artist=Vanilla Ice|title=To the Extreme|relyear=1989|certyear=1991|award=Gold|access-date=August 16, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United Kingdom|type=album|artist=Vanilla Ice|title=To the Extreme|relyear=1989|certyear=1991|award=Platinum|id=7634-1610-2|access-date=August 16, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Entry|region=United States|type=album|artist=Vanilla Ice|title=To the Extreme|relyear=1989|certyear=1991|award=Platinum|number=7|access-date=August 16, 2019}}
{{Certification Table Bottom|nosales=true}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Vanilla Ice}}
{{Juno Award for International Album of the Year}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1989 debut albums]]
[[Category:Ichiban Records albums]]
[[Category:Vanilla Ice albums]]
[[Category:SBK Records albums]]
[[Category:Juno Award for International Album of the Year albums]]

Vero - Wikipedia - User contributions [en]

To the Extreme