Funky Beats: The Best of Whodini
The rap trio Whodini, comprised of Jalil Hutchins (“Jalil”), John Fletcher (“Ecstasy”—the one in the Zorro hat), and DJ Drew Carter (“Grandmaster Dee”), were formed in 1981 in Brooklyn, NY. True innovators of the golden area of hip hop, the group is notable in music history for their list of firsts:
* The first rap act to add straight R&B sounds to their music
* Their single ‘Magic’s Wand’ was the first rap single released on Jive Records
* The first rap group to make a music video (also "Magic's Wand")
* The first hip hop group to include official dancers in their live show (Jalil's younger brother “Doctor Ice” and Kangol Kid of U.T.F.O.)
* As part of the Fresh Fest tour, they were among the first rap acts to play to large audiences
* Along with Run-D.M.C. and The Fat Boys, were the first hip hop artists to achieve a high-profile national following and break through on R&B/urban radio
Whodini, like other early hip hop groups, cut their party raps mainly over synthesizer-driven with a heavy electronic drumbeat. They caught a break when they got picked up by hip hop pioneer Russell Simmons who signed on as their manager. While on contract with the the London-based indie label Jive, synth-pop phenomenon Thomas Dolby brought in a track and when someone suggested he have someone rap over it, Whodini were tapped for the task, resulting in their first single, “Magic’s Wand.” Although the song gained more attention oversees than with U.S. audiences, their next effort was different story. 1984’s “Escape” featured blockbusters like "Friends" and "Freaks Come Out at Night". The album ended up going platinum and remains their best known work. Following the 1987 release “Open Sesame”, the group went on hiatus due to family issues and record company and managerial problems. In the 1990s, Whodini made a handful of attempts at a comeback. They released “Bag-A-Trix” in 1991 which had little impact with the listening public. With the help of Public Enemy DJ Terminator X they did score a minor hit with “It all Comes down to the Money” in 1994 but talks with Def Jam for a new deal stalled. Two years later the group were signed by Jermaine Dupri (who as a child had done a brief stint as a dancer for the group) to So So Def Recordings. The resulting album, the aptly named “Six”, produced only one brief R&B charter before quickly fading from view, seemingly taking the whole of Whodini with it.
Whodini still tours occasionally, minus DJ Grandmaster Dee who has converted to Minister Louis Farrakhan’s Nation of Islam. Whodini’s old records still surface on pop and R&B radio, particularly during old-school mixes and their beats are regular sample sources for contemporary rap artists like Nas, Master P, Prodigy, and MF Doom. In addition, you might catch "Magic's Wand" on the radio station Wild Style, Style or "Freaks Come out at Night" on Fresh 105 FM while playing Grand Theft Auto: Vice City or Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories, respectively.
There are three nearly identical compilations of Whodini’s big singles, the most recent being 2006’s “Funky Beat: The Best of Whodini” on Jive/Legacy, including "One Love," "Friends," "Funky Beat," "Freaks Come Out at Night," "Five Minutes of Funk," and "Magic's Wand". While modern rap fans might find the minimalist approach of Whodini’s numbers a bit too ‘period piece’ for their tastes there’s still much to admire in the group’s infectious mix of danceable rap, street beats and new wave electronics.
In acknowledgement for their enormous contribution to the history and development of hip hop music, Whodini were honorees at the 4th annual Vh1 Hip Hop Honors in October 2007.
Here's the original video for "Freaks Come Out at Night" (look for a young Jermaine DuPri dancing about 0:47 seconds in):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLYC7ltxOrk
Clip of Whodini live in "Escape":
poda goiya......
poda mairu