CAUTION: This article reveals the identity of the celebrity unmasked during the Wednesday, Jan. 21 episode of The Masked Singer.
Contestants on The Masked Singer usually fall into one of two categories: the master chameleons who expertly disguise their vocals to keep the panel guessing, and the legends whose sonic signatures are so distinct that anonymity is impossible from the very first note.
Wednesday night’s departing singer definitely belonged to the latter group. For fans who came of age during the hip-hop explosion of the late ’80s and early ’90s, the identity of the “Handyman” was glaringly obvious the moment he stepped into the spotlight. Though he was draped in a neon-yellow utility suit—complete with a heavy tool belt and a metallic mask—his rendition of Peaches & Herb’s “Shake Your Groove Thing” featured a low-frequency rumble that was unmistakable.
Despite waving wrench-shaped arms and singing into a screwdriver-themed microphone, that iconic, gravelly delivery was a dead giveaway. Early clues further cemented the mystery: references to a “wild” persona and a list of high-profile co-stars including Robert De Niro and Courteney Cox pointed directly to a specific Hollywood-adjacent rap icon.
During the special Clueless-themed episode, Handyman joined fellow Season 14 competitors Pugcasso, Scarab, and Snow Cone for a group performance of Kim Wilde’s “Kids in America.” However, it was his solo take on A Tribe Called Quest’s “Can I Kick It?” that truly stole the show, showcasing a rhythmic flow that had the audience chanting “Yes you can!” in unison.
When the time came for final guesses, the panel remained somewhat divided. Rita Ora leaned toward Vanilla Ice or Ice-T, while Ken Jeong took a swing and a miss by suggesting A-Team star Mr. T. As the mask finally came off, the truth was revealed: the man behind the tools was none other than Anthony Terrell Smith, better known as the “Funky Cold Medina” mastermind, Tone Lōc.
We caught up with the 59-year-old artist to discuss his time under the mask, why he couldn’t hide that legendary voice, and why this experience might lead to his first new music in over three decades.
The Challenge from Home
You mentioned that your daughter actually dared you to participate. What was that conversation like?
She grew up seeing my career, and she basically challenged me, saying there was no way I’d ever do something like this. I hadn’t actually watched the show before, but she was convinced I wouldn’t be caught dead in a costume dancing and singing. Once I saw what it was all about, I figured, “Why not?” Most of the people who called me after my first appearance had no idea I was doing it until they heard the voice.
An Unmistakable Sound
People recognized you almost instantly. Did you even attempt to modify your voice to throw them off?
I think I made an effort, but I quickly realized I can’t really change who I am. That rasp is just part of the package. Even when I try to tweak it slightly, it’s still me. It turns out my voice is much more recognizable than I ever realized.
Your song choices were interesting. Moving from disco to a classic Tribe Called Quest track seemed to make your identity even clearer. Was that intentional?
I couldn’t hear much inside that massive suit, but the vibe was great. I didn’t necessarily pick the Peaches & Herb track to mislead anyone; we just looked for songs that felt right. My agent suggested “Shake Your Groove Thing,” and the Tribe track just felt like a fun moment. It was a cool experience regardless of how obvious it made me.
A Musical Resurgence
The Handyman was a pretty intense costume. What drew you to that specific look?
That was the one they presented to me, and it felt right. It’s a serious commitment—the helmet and the head are huge. You have to be fully locked in to move in that thing. It felt like the most masculine option available, and I really enjoyed the character.
It’s been 35 years since your last full-length album, Cool Hand Lōc. Has this show inspired you to get back into the studio?
Has it really been that long? Wow. I wasn’t planning on a new album, but I’m seriously considering it now. I have this new track called “Hey, What’s Up?” that I’ve been performing live on tour. To be honest, the crowd reaction to that song is even bigger than the response to “Wild Thing” or “Funky Cold Medina.” It makes me think it’s time to finally record it and give the fans something fresh.
The judges’ guesses were all over the map, ranging from Vanilla Ice to Mr. T. What did you think of that?
It’s funny—you have people who have no clue, and then you have the fans who know it’s Tone Lōc from the very first syllable. It’s been an eye-opener to see how people perceive my voice. I guess that “graggily” sound is here to stay!
