On this day in 1989, Queens native Marvin Young — better known as Young MC — released his debut album Stone Cold Rhymin’ through Delicious Vinyl, marking his official entry into Hip Hop history.
The project didn’t arrive with the fanfare of some of its era’s biggest rap records, but it carried a track that would become immortal: “Bust A Move.” The single not only earned a platinum plaque within a year but also embedded itself into pop culture, appearing in films like Dude, Where’s My Car? and Stephen King’s It (2017). Decades later, it still resonates as one of rap’s most universally recognized crossover hits.
Behind the boards, music legend Quincy Jones added his touch to Young MC’s debut, helping shape the 13-track project into a commercially viable and culturally relevant record. While Young MC never became a household name on the level of some of his peers, Stone Cold Rhymin’ gave him a permanent stamp in the rap game and reminded the world that Hip Hop could be playful, witty, and accessible to all audiences.
Thirty-six years later, Stone Cold Rhymin’ remains a time capsule of late-80s Hip Hop, with “Bust A Move” ensuring Young MC’s name will never fade from the culture’s memory.