Tone Lōc

Infobox musical artist

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Name = Tone Lōc
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Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Anthony Terrell Smith
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Born = Birth date and age|1966|3|3|mf=y
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Origin = Los Angeles, California, United States
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Genre = Hip-Hop
Old School Rap
West Coast Rap
Occupation = Actor
Rapper
Producer
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Label = Delicious Vinyl
Rhino Entertainment
Associated_acts = Candyman
Young MC
Brand New Heavies
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Tone Lōc (sometimes alternatively spelled Tone Loc or Tone-Lōc, with the second part of the name, regardless of spelling, pronounced like the "loc" in the word "local") is the stage name of Anthony Terrell Smith (born March 3, 1966), an American hip hop artist and actor, most well-known for his hit singles "Wild Thing", "Funky Cold Medina", "I Got It Goin' On" and "All Through the Night". He is also known for his deep, gravelly, hoarse voice.

Life and work

Tone Lōc was born in south Los Angeles, California, and attended University High School. As a youth, he became involved in Los Angeles' gang culture, joining the Crips gang.

His song, "Wild Thing", includes a drum beat and guitar riff from Van Halen's song "Jamie's Cryin'". Though the sample was used without permission, Van Halen did not sue. His song "Funky Cold Medina" contains a guitar riff from "Christine Sixteen" performed by "KISS".

As an actor, Tone has appeared in movies such as "Heat", "Surf Ninjas", ', ', "Bebe's Kids", "Poetic Justice", "Blank Check" and "Titan A.E.", as well as in the television series "Roc", "NewsRadio" and the reality television series "Superstar USA".

The name "Tone Loc" originated when his peers once called him "Antonio Loco" (Spanish for "crazy Anthony").

The cover for his debut album "Lōc-ed After Dark" features a picture in black and white with his name colored in blue, another reference to his involvement with the "Crips," whose members wear blue.

Sang on Fefe Dobson's song "Rock It Til You Drop It" on her self-titled debut album (2003).

Provided the voice of Fud Wrapper, the animatronic host of the former Epcot attraction Food Rocks in Walt Disney World.

In 1999, both "Wild Thing" and "Funky Cold Medina" were remixed by Euro-dance team The ZZ-Bros. "Wild Thing Y2K" charted well on the Australian Dance Charts in the lead up to the year 2000 celebrations.

His music was used in the Tone Loc vs. Twenty Fingers remix of "Lick It."

He is the first African American hip-hop artist to have a number one album on the Billboard charts.

He guest starred as the voice of "Chestnut" in the episode "The Heavy Sleeper" in Chowder.

He's currently doing voice work for Cartoon Network, specifically their new show advertisements.

Discography

Filmography

* "The Adventures of Ford Fairlane" (1990)
* "The Return of Superfly" (1990)
* "" (1992)
* "Bebe's Kids" (1992)
* "Posse" (1993)
* "Poetic Justice" (1993)
* "Surf Ninjas" (1993)
* "A Cool Like That Christmas" (1994)
* "Car 54, Where Are You?" (1994)
* "" (1994)
* "Blank Check" (1994)
* "Aladdin" TV series (1994)
* "" (1995)
* "Heat" (1995)
* "Spy Hard" (1996)
* "C-Bear and Jamal"
* "Fakin' Da Funk" (1997)
* "Freedom Strike" (1998)
* "" (2000)
* "Titan A.E." (2000)
* "They Crawl" (2001)
* "Deadly Rhapsody" (2001)
* "Static Shock" (2002)
* "King of the Hill" (2005)
* "Yes Dear" (2005)
* "Totally Awesome" (2006)
* "Chowder (TV series)" (2008)

See also

* List of number-one dance hits (United States)
* List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

External links

*
* [http://www.nndb.com/people/905/000087644/ Tone Lōc profile at NNDB]