The 90s Hip-Hop Makeover
Vanilla Ice's rendition of the Wild Cherry classic Play That Funky Music transforms a funk rock staple into a high-energy hip-hop track. Released on the album To the Extreme, this version strips away the traditional sung verses in favor of rhythmic rapping, while keeping the iconic chorus intact.
To sing this effectively, you need to master two different skills: the percussive flow of early 90s rap and the melodic shout of a funk chorus. It’s less about vocal range and more about attitude, timing, and stamina.
AI Coach Tip: Watch Your Diction
In the rap verses, consonants are your best friend. Our analysis shows users lose points by slurring words during the faster passages. Focus on crisp 'T' and 'P' sounds to keep the rhythm tight.
Phase 1: The Rap Flow (Verses)
The song is built on a heavy groove. Unlike the original sung verses, Vanilla Ice delivers a steady stream of lyrics. The key here is to "stay in the pocket." Do not rush ahead of the beat.
The Trap: Running out of breath. Because the flow is continuous, you need to snatch quick breaths at the end of every second bar. If you wait too long, you'll lose the energy needed for the chorus.
Phase 2: The Chorus (The Hook)
This is the part everyone knows: "Play that funky music, white boy." The melody sits comfortably in the chest voice for most singers.
- Energy: This shouldn't be sung politely. It requires a "shouted" quality (without straining). Think of it as a chant.
- Pitch: While it feels like shouting, there are specific notes (E, G, A). The AI Coach tracks your ability to hit these pitches while maintaining the gritty texture.
- The Chant: The "Go white boy, go white boy, go" section is purely rhythmic. Treat your voice like a percussion instrument here.
Phase 3: The Attitude
This track is 100% confidence. If you sing it timidly, it falls flat. You need to project your voice forward. Use a "twangy" vocal placement to cut through the heavy bass and drum track.
Practice the transition between the spoken/rapped verses and the melodic chorus. This switch often trips singers up, causing them to enter the chorus flat.
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily, but you do need good rhythm. The rap style is "old school" and focuses more on the beat than complex rhyme schemes. Use the Singing Coach AI metronome feature to practice.
The song covers approximately E3 to G4. It stays primarily in the comfortable chest register for male voices, making it a great song for beginners to intermediate singers.
The Wild Cherry original is fully sung with a funk-rock style. Vanilla Ice's version replaces the verses with rap and adds a hip-hop drum beat, changing the rhythmic delivery entirely.
