"Funky Cold Medina" by Tone Lōc

Birthday wishes go out today to pioneering proto-rapper Tone Lōc, whose gravelly voice was ubiquitous in 1989 - whether performing Wild Thing or this classic track, Funky Cold Medina - both of which appeared on his debut album, Lōc-ed After Dark.

As an innovator of hip hop, Lōc's music combines all of those elements which have come to be associated with urban music - including the glorification of decadence, lack of respect for women, and homophobia; on the bright side, the songs have a great beat and you can dance to them - which I most certainly did in those halcyon days before my planned obsolescence as a gay man took effect.
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