The "To The Extreme" Vocal Workout
Released on Vanilla Ice's debut major-label album in 1990, "Hooked" is often overshadowed by "Ice Ice Baby," but it remains a staple of the era. The track samples heavily from Wild Cherry's "Play That Funky Music," providing an infectious groove that demands high energy.
Unlike a melodic ballad, the challenge here is rhythmic precision. You aren't trying to hit high notes; you are trying to sit in the pocket of the beat without rushing. Let's break down exactly how to tackle the flow.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Breath
Rap verses move fast. Users often run out of air mid-sentence, causing the tempo to drag. Mark your breath points at the end of every second bar to maintain the stamina needed for the full track.
Phase 1: The Sample Hook
The chorus relies on the sampled line "Play that funky music, white boy." While the original sample handles the heavy lifting, singing along requires you to match the soul/funk inflection of the 70s original. It sits in a standard E Minor scale.
The Trap: Don't sing it too "straight." You need to slide into the notes to match the funk aesthetic of the backing track.
Phase 2: The Verses (Rhythmic Diction)
Vanilla Ice's delivery is punchy and percussive. He emphasizes the first beat of the bar heavily. When delivering lines like "Cooking MCs like a pound of bacon," articulation is key. If you slur your words, the AI Coach will mark down your timing score.
- Consonants: Hit your T's and K's hard. This acts as a percussive element.
- Speed: The tempo is roughly 109 BPM. It's not incredibly fast, but it is relentless.
- Tone: Keep your voice in a forward, "speech-level" placement. Do not use head voice here.
Phase 3: The Attitude
This song is 50% technique and 50% swagger. The lyrics are braggadocious. To sell the performance, you need to project confidence. Raise your volume slightly above your normal speaking voice, but avoid shouting, which can tighten the throat.
Imagine you are commanding the stage. The energy needs to remain high from the first snare hit to the fade out.
Frequently Asked Questions
The song heavily samples "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry. This provides the bassline and the chorus hook.
Not necessarily. While there are melodic elements in the hook, the verses are rapped. Good rhythm and diction are more important than vocal range for this track.
Practice "catch breaths." These are quick, sharp inhalations taken through the mouth at punctuation points in the lyrics. The Singing Coach AI app highlights exactly where to breathe.
