I'm hoping to course correct from yesterday. My playthrough of N.W.A.'s Straight Outta Compton didn't go as planned. Long story short, that was a hard pass for me. I prefer my rap to focus on the jams, and not just a slew of cursing and violence.
Whodini was formed by Jalil Hutchins, John Fletcher, and DJ Crew Carter in 1982. They were among the first rap artists to not only sign with a label but gain notoriety on R&B radio stations. With a layer of funk, they would become an early pioneer of the New Jack Swing sound of the 80's, inspiring artists such as The Fat Boys, Run-DMC, and Warp 9, among others.
Their self-titled debut hit shelves in October of 1983, producing two singles which hit the US Dance Songs Club charts. Those being, Magic Wand (peaking at 11), and The Haunted House Of Rock (27). The latter should be on any Halloween fan's October shuffle.
One year later, the trio released their platinum seller, Escape. It would become a massive success, both in the USA, and internationally. It would also be the first rap album to crack the top forty of the Billboard Top Pop Albums.
Yes, this is the type of rap I want to hear. Funky bass, jamming beats, skillful rapping, and overall, just good times. Escape was an album I personally came across for the hit, Freaks Come Out At Night, but it then stayed on my want list for several years because of the price. Ultimately, I was glad to finally add it to my collection.
The album features a ton of great stuff: Five Minutes Of Funk, Freaks Come Out At Night, Featuring Grand Master Dee, Escape, and Out Of Control are easy adds to my shuffle list. With that said, I heard nothing "bad" on this album.
Bottom line, check this one out!
Between 1982 and 1986, Whodini toured constantly, working with acts such as Run-DMC, LL Cool J, the Fat Boys, and other prominent hip hop, R&B and funk bands. However, they'd continue to produce studio albums, such as the gold certified Back in Black (1986), and Open Sesame (1987). The latter would also see a change in sound for the group, as they adopted horns, and guitars, keeping in line with current rock / rap acts such as The Beastie Boys.
The band remained obligated to Jive Records for the next five years and would spend most of this time piecemealing releases via singles, such as their contribution to the soundtrack for A Nightmare On Elm Street 5: The Dream Child. It wouldn't be until 1991 that they'd record a full album, Bag-a-Trix. This was intended to be a comeback release but failed to have any commercial impact.
After the hit single, All Comes Down to the Money, in 1994, the group began talks with Def Jam Recordings to record a full album. However, after this deal stalled, they signed with So So Def Recordings, distributed by Columbia Records to release their final album, 1996's Six.
The guys continued to tour occasionally throughout the years and even collected awards for VH1 Hip Hop Honors (2007), and an Icon Award from the Underground Music Awards (2012). Additionally, they were inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame that same year and received another Hip Hop Icon Award at the Black Music Honors in 2018. Sadly, John Fletcher would pass away in 2020, leaving the group fractured, but still touring.
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