Tone-Loc

Aiming for credibility among hardcore hip-hoppers, Delicious Vinyl was careful not to include a lot of pop-influenced material on Tone-Loc's second album, Cool Hand Loc. But sadly, the inventiveness he displayed on "Wild Thing" continued working against Loc among b-boys and hip-hop's hardcore, who still resented the success he'd enjoyed in the pop market. Though not quite as strong as the triple platinum Loc-ed After Dark -- either commercially or artistically -- the album is a respectable and satisfying effort. The former L.A. gang member tends to overdue it with boasting lyrics -- a problem he shares with quite a few other rappers -- but his boasts are often quite clever. Sadly, Tone-Loc didn't have much longevity; after Cool Hand Loc, little was heard about him. [Cool Hand Loc was also released in a clean version, with all vulgarities removed.] ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi