YOUNG MC

'Intelligent and middle-class, rapper Marvin Young earned a degree in economics from USC, where he met Michael Ross and Matt Dike, co-founders of the fledgling Delicious Vinyl rap label. He made his debut as Young MC on the single 'I Let 'Em Know.' In 1989, Young collaborated with Tone-Loc on 'Wild Thing,' the first Top Ten pop hit for a black rapper, and the follow-up smash 'Funky Cold Medina.' Young stepped out on his own later in the year with the Top Ten smash 'Bust a Move,' a good-natured examination of romantic successes and failures spiced by his sense of humor and quick-tongued rapping. The song won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance, and its strong pop appeal helped the attendant album, Stone Cold Rhymin', go platinum. The follow-up, 'Principal's Office,' was a humorous, everyday high-school tale resembling a Chuck Berry plot and also climbed into the Top 40.'