Album: Hooked

Introduction
"Hooked", released in 1989, is the launching album by American rapper Vanilla Ice. Including a mix of hip-hop and popular song, the album mainly showcased Ice's distinct design and lyrical delivery. The album would catapult Vanilla Ice to popularity and set the phase for his subsequent work in the music market. With distinctive beats and appealing hooks, "Hooked" was a commercial success, making Vanilla Ice the first white rap artist to gain mainstream recognition and acceptance.

Background and Production
Vanilla Ice, born Robert Van Winkle, began dealing with "Hooked" after gaining attention with his early freestyle fights and efficiencies in Miami, Florida. Quickly gaining a following, he caught the eye of music industry veterans Tommy Quon and Thanh Bui, who would sign him to their independent label, Ichiban Records. Vanilla Ice then started deal with his debut album, with the assistance of manufacturer Khayree Shaheed.

Vanilla Ice was heavily influenced by hip-hop and pop music of the late 1980s. This included artists like MC Hammer, Run-D.M.C., and the Beastie Boys, in addition to pop icons like Madonna and Michael Jackson. The resulting album combined these influences with Ice's own style and imaginative vision, including his signature syncopated rapping design, catchy hooks, and danceable beats.

Track Listing and Notable Singles
"Hooked" featured an overall of twelve tracks, with most of them written by Vanilla Ice himself. Some of the most notable tunes on the album include:

1. "Play That Funky Music"-- A cover of the 1976 struck by Wild Cherry, this track became one of Vanilla Ice's most effective songs, reaching No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
2. "Ice Ice Baby"-- Undoubtedly Vanilla Ice's the majority of popular song, "Ice Ice Baby" samples the bassline of Queen and David Bowie's "Under Pressure". The track ended up being the very first hip-hop single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stays among the most recognizable rap tunes of all time.
3. "It's A Party"-- This upbeat track showcased Ice's ability to produce a party anthem with transmittable energy.
4. "Hooked"-- The album's titular track features the rapper sharing personal experiences, with a storytelling technique that drew listeners in.

Reception and Legacy
Upon its release, "Hooked" was met mixed evaluations from music critics. While some applauded Vanilla Ice's appealing hooks and distinct rapping design, others felt that the album lacked substance and was overly dependent on the success of "Ice Ice Baby".

Despite the blended important action, the album's industrial success was undeniable. "Hooked" reached No. 20 on the Billboard 200 chart, and "Ice Ice Baby" remains a pillar of pop culture. Vanilla Ice's increase to fame as a white rap artist during a time when hip-hop was controlled by African-American artists opened the door for future white rap artists like Eminem, who frequently mentions Vanilla Ice as one of his impacts.

Following the success of "Hooked", Vanilla Ice would go on to release numerous more albums, though none would match the industrial success or effect of his launching. Nonetheless, the album's tradition as an early example of effective crossover hip-hop and popular song sustains and continues to inspire new generations of artists and listeners alike.