Back in the day, if you asked someone what two things come to mind when you say the word "Ireland"; Undoubtedly they would have said Guinness and the shamrock. In 2010, if you asked the same question, I have absolutely no doubts that they'd say "John" and "Edward."
John and Edward (who seem to go by the name of Jedward) are definitely born entertainers. They're funny, interesting to look at and quite sweet. But my God, they haven't got a note in their heads!
So, when the two Lucan lads rose to fame on the Xfactor I don't think anyone could have suspected just how big they'd become, and they certainly didn't suspect that one of the biggest rap artists of all time would allow them to "borrow" his most famous tune and re release it as their own. Oh, how wrong were we!
Robert Mattew Van Winkle (aka. Vanilla Ice) is an American rapper from Texas.
He wrote "Ice Ice Baby" at the age of 16, basing its lyrics upon his experiences in South Florida. The lyrics describe a drive-by shooting and are a great display of Van Winkle's rhyming skills.
The chorus of "Ice Ice Baby" originates from the signature chant of the national African American fraternity. Seaking on the song's lyrics, Van Winkle states that "If you released 'Ice Ice Baby' today, it would fit in today's lyrical respect among peers, you know what I'm sayin'? My lyrics aren't, 'Pump it up, go! Go!' My lyrics make sense, I'm sayin' somethin'. "Ice Ice baby samples the bassline of the 1982 song "Under Pressure" by Queen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M8BxbdQqMRE&feature=fvst
Although "Ice Ice Baby" sprang to number one within the first week of it's release in 1990, by 1999 it was branded by Blender magazine as "number five in the 50 worst songs ever." And let me tell you, Vanilla Ice didn't react well. In face, he went down and smashed up MTV's entire set with a baseball bat. Then, along came Jedward.
Okay, I'll admit it, I do have a soft spot for these two lads. I understand that neither of them have a note in their heads and their hair looks like something from Startreks greatest rather than something from the big bad pop world but maybe because it's because they're Irish, or maybe because it's because they've already been given so much shit from the public that I'm going to go easy on the lads.
I can't say I'm a huge fan of rap. I Think Eminem's got real talent and love his music but as far as me and rap goes, that's where our relationship ends. However, I did think Ice Ice baby was light hearted, catchy and 20 years later people are still covering it and talking about it, so I suppose it does make it a bit of a classic.
As far as Jedward goes, they'll never be superstars but they did give a pissed off rapper who never quite made it a new comeback into the public spector and no one can disagree that whilst doing so, they provided us with a hell of a lot of entertainment. And for that lads, I'm gonna say well done.
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