Tone Loc

Released in 1989, "Wild Thing" took the music industry by storm, transforming a young unknown into an international celebrity and coining yet another slang phrase for a favorite pastime. With his characteristic gravely voice and laid-back, conversational delivery, Tone Loc parlayed comedic sexual adventures into a No. 1 hit. It was one of the first rap songs to be embraced by the mainstream pop audience, as listeners were transfixed by his mellow flows laid over rolling beats and a fresh Van Halen sample. Tone followed it up with another hit, "Funky Cold Medina," then pursued an acting career and eventually faded from the limelight. Despite his short-lived music career, he definitely left his mark on the industry and the world with one of the most popular and recognizable hip-hop tracks ever recorded.