by Ron Wynn
Tone-Loc (born Anthony Smith) soared from obscurity into pop stardom in 1989 when his hoarse voice and unmistakable delivery made the song Wild Thing (using a sample from Van Halens Jamies Cryin) a massive hit. The song was co-written by Marvin Young, better known as Young MC, as was the second single smash, Funky Cold Medina. The album Loc-ed After Dark became the second rap release ever to top the pop charts. Tone-Loc expanded his horizons into acting in 1992 and 1993, appearing a few times on the Fox sitcom Roc. He was also in the films Posse and Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, and in 1991 returned to recording with Cool Hand Loc.