# Vanilla Ice's "To the Extreme" is the highest-selling rap album of all-time? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [October 26, 2004, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248 "2004-10-26T16:05:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Liz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/liz/32/17737_2.png) [@Liz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liz)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/21 "2004-10-27T02:16:34Z")
That should read “TLC **isn’t** counted”. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/22 "2004-10-27T02:21:46Z")
> [@vanilla](#): > > Its where my username comes from. 🆒 I got my gauge. Do you still have your nine? ---
**Author:** ![vanilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f19dbf/32.png) [@vanilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vanilla)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/23 "2004-10-27T02:24:32Z")
I have no idea what youre talking about. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d26b3c/32.png) [@Mr.Blue\_Sky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Blue_Sky)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/24 "2004-10-27T02:26:53Z")
> [@vanilla](#): > > I have no idea what youre talking about. But, the avenue’s packed! We have to get away before the jackers jack! ---
**Author:** ![cryptic\_j](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/898d66/32.png) [@cryptic\_j](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cryptic_j)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/25 "2004-10-27T15:48:02Z")
You probably eat spaghetti with a spoon! ---
**Author:** ![Chastain86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Chastain86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chastain86)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/26 "2004-10-27T15:52:38Z")
Well, it’s kind of like Chris Rock said: Spice Girls sold 8 million albums…have you ever met anybody that BOUGHT one? Suuuuure, nobody in here will own up to it, but they sold 8 million…SOME’a you m_therf_ckers did! /completely paraphrasing ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/27 "2004-10-27T16:00:28Z")
So we’re still no closer to finding out if it is or not. Tonight, when i’m rollin’ (in my 5 point O, ragtop down so my hair can blow), i’ll ask my mate Daz. He usually knows these things. You’d think there’d be some online source of records sold figures somewhere wouldn’t you? But will it ever stop? Yo, I don’t know… ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/28 "2004-10-27T16:13:08Z")
And maybe somebody ought to give ol’ Vanilla credit for being at the top of a less-known but much more relevant category. The following statistic brought to you by the **Happy Scrappy Statistics Department:** Vanilla Ice leads all rappers in the prestigious but oft-overlooked “most money saved per unit sold” category. Hammer? Well, we all know what happened to Mr. gold-plated faucets. TLC? Bankrupted as well. Oh, and arson. Never forget the arson. Vanilla? Still has his money. Nice house in Miami, takes care of himself just fine and still has time to pursue his hobbies. Never any financial trouble for the Iceman. VH1 was breaking down Jadakiss’s “Why?” on one of their shows, and they got to the part where he asks, “Why da system designed to keep da artist in debt?” And “snarky comedienne of the week” snips, “WELL, I must have missed that part in your contract where it REQUIRED you to buy the platinum BATHTUB.” Truer words were never spoken. You GO, Vanilla. Keep to the straight and narrow, and I promise I’ll never ask for a refund of the money I spent on _Mind Blowin’._ ---
**Author:** ![jk1245](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jk1245](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jk1245)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/29 "2004-10-27T16:14:43Z")
All right stop, Collaborate and listen !! The RIAA’s [database](http://www.riaa.com/gp/database/default.asp) backs chatelaine’s cite that TLC is the highest hip-hop album at 11 million, with Hammer at 10 million. _To The Extreme_ is listed at 7 million. This database is lots of fun. The Iceman was certifed gold and triple platinum on the same day (11/19/90), then sold another 4 million by January of 1991. He hasn’t sold another million since. Also, I wasn’t aware that The Eagles Greatest Hits album had surpassed Thriller as the top selling album of all time. ---
**Author:** ![paulberserker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@paulberserker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/paulberserker)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/30 "2004-10-27T16:16:47Z")
He was on a crappy celeb reality show on Channel 5 called the Farm that finished a week or so ago, under Rob Van Winkle. I thought he ended up flat broke and worked in a Cycle Shop or something. Or was that Hammer? ---
**Author:** ![Cluricaun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bb73d2/32.png) [@Cluricaun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cluricaun)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/31 "2004-10-27T16:40:33Z")
I’m still seeking monetary damages against Mr. Ice for filling my brain with poisonous mushrooms. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/32 "2004-10-27T17:12:21Z")
> [@Happy Scrappy Hero Pup](#): > > You GO, Vanilla. Keep to the straight and narrow, and I promise I’ll never ask for a refund of the money I spent on _Mind Blowin’._ I still wouldn’t mind getting my seven bucks back for _Cool As Ice_, though. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/33 "2004-10-27T17:46:46Z")
> [@Hal Briston](#): > > I still wouldn’t mind getting my seven bucks back for Cool As Ice, though. Spoken like just the kind of loser who obviously didn’t ditch that zero and get with the hero. ---
**Author:** ![Edward\_The\_Head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ce73a5/32.png) [@Edward\_The\_Head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Edward_The_Head)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2004, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/34 "2004-10-27T18:02:06Z")
Alright, which one of your is my college RA? I know one of you must be, you would of had the Cool As Ice poster in your room and everything. I’ll admit, I at one time owned the album. ---
**Author:** ![beergeek279](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7ea924/32.png) [@beergeek279](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beergeek279)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/35 "2004-10-28T23:16:18Z")
Uggghh…I hate Vanilla Ice because every damn time I listen to “Under Pressure”, I have to think of that damn song!!! “Under Pressure” is a great song, and it’s been rendered virtually unlistenable :(. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/36 "2004-10-28T23:36:33Z")
What? Anyone can hear that they’re quite obviously different. See, theirs goes: ding ding ding dingyding-ding… ding ding ding dingyding-ding… and his goes: ding ding ding dingyding-ding… DING ding ding ding dingyding-ding… See? It’s that little bitty hi-hat “ding.” They’re not the same. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [October 28, 2004, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/37 "2004-10-28T23:49:06Z")
> [@Happy Scrappy Hero Pup](#): > > Vanilla? Still has his money. Nice house in Miami, takes care of himself just fine and still has time to pursue his hobbies. Never any financial trouble for the Iceman. Really? I remember reading in the British press in 1996 that Vanilla Ice was “completely skint.” Has he made a financial comeback, or was the assertion simply untrue to begin with? ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2004, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/38 "2004-10-29T01:56:05Z")
> [@pulykamell](#): > > Really? I remember reading in the British press in 1996 that Vanilla Ice was “completely skint.” Has he made a financial comeback, or was the assertion simply untrue to begin with? I’m having difficulty figuring this out. I’ve found several references to him having gone bankrupt at some time or another, but none of them seem to be authoritative. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2004, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/39 "2004-10-29T02:35:01Z")
[Roctober](http://www.roctober.com/roctober/greatness/vanilla.html) says he didn’t. I remember VH1’s \*Behind the Music \* saying he didn’t. It might not be all limos and bling for the Iceman nowadays, but he’s certainly not shuffling through the train station jingling pennies in a cup either. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2004, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248/40 "2004-10-29T09:10:43Z")
> [@Happy Scrappy Hero Pup](#): > > What? Anyone can hear that they’re quite obviously different. > > See, theirs goes: > > ding ding ding dingyding-ding… ding ding ding dingyding-ding… > and his goes: > > ding ding ding dingyding-ding… DING ding ding ding dingyding-ding… > See? It’s that little bitty hi-hat “ding.” > They’re not the same. Nitpick: Under Pressure went Doo doo doo doodoo doo doo. No dings were harmed in the recording of that song. PS Wasn’t he sued over that one? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/vanilla-ices-to-the-extreme-is-the-highest-selling-rap-album-of-all-time/271248.md?page=3)