"Freaks Come Out at Night" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by Whodini | ||||
from the album Escape | ||||
B-side | "Grandmaster Dee's Haunted Scratch" | |||
Released | 1984 | |||
Recorded | 1984 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 4:44 | |||
Label | Jive | |||
Songwriter(s) |
| |||
Producer(s) | Larry Smith | |||
Whodini singles chronology | ||||
| ||||
Music video | ||||
"Freaks Come Out at Night" on YouTube |
"Freaks Come Out at Night" is a song by American hip hop group Whodini. It is the second single from their second studio album Escape (1984) and one of their signature songs.
Jalil Hutchins stated in a Q&A with al.com,
"Freaks Come Out at Night" went through phases to get to that hook. The first initial thought was really making a song competitive with that Pat Benatar stuff that was out. [The song] was so poppy but the hook was kind of weak, so I started looking at the funk bands and their use of "freak." All of those songs, thinking of Rick James and all those characters. And 42nd Street in New York City is a hectic set, and thinking about the nightlife of New York and all of a sudden [the song] changed into something like funk and "Freaks Come Out at Night". [1]
Jason Elias of AllMusic wrote, "The just-as-good 'Freaks Come Out at Night' has the guys talking about nocturnal freaks with vivid lyrics and a little too much inside information." [2] Robert Christgau wrote, "Even the putative follow-up 'Freaks Come Out at Night,' dumber lyrically than 'Escape' and 'Friends' and dumber musically than the irresistible 'Five Minutes of Funk,' is five minutes of fun." [3]
The music video sees Jalil Hutchins wearing a feather earring, which he said was a replacement for a wig and "the closest thing I could get that was part funk, part freak." [1] The video features appearances from UTFO and Run-DMC, who are seen leaving a tour bus in Baltimore, [4] and future rapper Jermaine Dupri, then a dancer for Whodini. [5]
Chart (1985) | Peak position |
---|---|
UK Singles (OCC) [6] | 97 |
US Hot Black Singles (Billboard) [7] | 43 |
US Hot Dance/Club Play ( Billboard ) [8] | 25 |
Jermaine Dupri Mauldin is an American record producer, rapper, singer, songwriter, and record executive. Raised in Atlanta as the son of Columbia Records executive Michael Mauldin, he began his career in music production at the age of nine. He discovered the teen hip hop duo Kris Kross in 1991. Dupri wrote and produced their 1992 single "Jump," which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and was named the 23rd most successful song of that decade. He established his own record label, So So Def Recordings in a joint venture with Columbia the following year.
Whodini is an American hip hop group that was formed in 1982. The Brooklyn, New York–based trio consisted of vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins; co-vocalist John Fletcher, a.k.a. Ecstasy ; and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, a.k.a. Grandmaster Dee.
"Sweetheart" is a song originally recorded by American singer Rainy Davis. It was written by Davis and Pete Warner, and produced with Dorothy Kessler. The track was released in 1986 by independent record label SuperTronics as a single from Davis's 1987 studio album Sweetheart. A freestyle, hip hop pop, and synth-funk song, "Sweetheart" appeared on R&B and dance music-based record charts in the United States.
The Hip Hop Honors is an annual event that airs on VH1. The television special honors old school and golden age hip hop rappers and contributors for their long-term influence and importance in the history of hip hop culture. It features live performances by most of the honorees along with new artists who have been influenced by them in tribute. The show is taped at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan, New York City.
"I Think They Like Me" is a song by American hip hop group Dem Franchize Boyz. It was released in August 2005 as a single from their self-titled debut album Dem Franchize Boyz. The song's chorus is sampled from their debut single "White Tee".
"Welcome to Atlanta" is a song by American record producer Jermaine Dupri, featuring American rapper Ludacris. It was released on May 14, 2002 as the second single from Dupri's 2001 album Instructions, and appeared as a hidden track on Ludacris' second album, Word of Mouf. The song praises Dupri and Ludacris' hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. It samples "Five Minutes Of Funk" by Whodini, as well as "Do It Baby" by The Miracles.
Escape is the second studio album by American hip hop group Whodini, released on October 17, 1984, by Jive Records. The album was recorded at Battery Studios in London, where the group worked with producer Larry Smith after their management could not find them a producer. Whodini member Jalil Hutchins convinced Smith, his friend, to produce the album when Smith needed money after a friend's hospitalisation. Although the group originally intended to record more rock-oriented material for the album, its music has a predominantly synthesizer-based backing, with a rhythm and blues influence.
Da Bomb is the second studio album by the hip-hop duo Kris Kross, released a year after their first album Totally Krossed Out. The group tried a hardcore/gangsta look to fit with the new style of hip-hop. The album was not as successful as Totally Krossed Out, as many fans were not impressed with the new look and style and the use of the word "nigga" and reviews were mixed. The line "I drop bombs like Hiroshima" from "Da Bomb" was edited out of the album's Japanese release and the artwork was completely changed. The album was certified platinum in the US. Three singles were released, "Alright", "I'm Real" and "Da Bomb".
"Money Ain't a Thang" is the second single from rapper Jermaine Dupri's 1998 album Life in 1472. It features rapper Jay-Z and appears as a bonus track on his album Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life. It is produced by Dupri, who samples "Weak at the Knees" by Steve Arrington for the track's beat. It can be found on two of Jay-Z's greatest hits compilations: Chapter One: Greatest Hits and Greatest Hits. In addition, it was nominated for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group at the 41st Grammy Awards in 1999.
"Basketball" is a rap song written by William Waring, Robert Ford, Kurtis Blow, J. B. Moore, Jimmy Bralower, and Full Force and recorded by Kurtis Blow, released in 1984 from his album Ego Trip.
Back in Black is the third album by American hip hop group Whodini. It was recorded in London and released via Jive Records in 1986. Like on the group's previous work, audio production was handled by Larry Smith. The album peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200, #4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America on June 23, 1986.
Open Sesame is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Whodini. It was released on August 27, 1987 via Jive Records, the final album of new material the group would release on the label before moving to MCA Records. Audio production was handled almost entirely by Larry Smith, except for two tracks both produced by Sinister and Whodini. The record peaked at #30 on the Billboard 200, at #8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America on January 20, 1988.
Six is the sixth and final studio album by American hip hop group Whodini. It was released on September 17, 1996 via So So Def/Columbia Records, making it the only album released for the label. Recording sessions took place at KrossWire Studio, Doppler Studios and Bosstown Recording Studios in Atlanta, at Record One and at Mystic Studios. Production was handled by Jermaine Dupri, who also served as executive producer, Dave Atkinson and Ross "Spyda" Sloan, with co-producer Carl So-Lowe. It features guest appearances from the Lost Boyz, Mr. Black, Nicole Jackson, R. Kelly, Trey Lorenz and Trina Broussard.
Bag-a-Trix is the fifth studio album by the American hip hop group Whodini, their only album for MCA Records. It was released in 1991 and includes the singles "Freaks" and "Judy". The production was handled by Larry Smith, Fresh Gordon, Joe Simmons, and Major Jam Production.
Whodini is the eponymous debut studio album by American hip hop group Whodini, released on October 13, 1983 by Jive Records. It spawned two hit singles: 1982 single "Magic's Wand" and 1983 single "The Haunted House of Rock". Audio production was handled by Conny Plank, Heatwave's Roy Carter, Thomas Dolby, and the Willesden Dodgers.
"Live and Die For Hip Hop" is a song by American rap duo Kris Kross, released as the second and final single from their third album, Young, Rich & Dangerous (1996). It is their ninth and final single overall, and features rap stars Da Brat, Jermaine Dupri, Mr. Black and background vocals by R&B star Aaliyah. The song contains a sample of "Baby Come to Me" by Regina Belle. It was not as successful as "Tonite's tha Night", however it did gain some success, making it to #72 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #11 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. A remix was made featuring DJ Clark Kent.
"Funkdafied" is the lead single released in May 1994 from American rapper Da Brat's debut album of the same name (1994).
Lawrence Smith was a pioneering American musician and hip hop record producer. He is best known for his co-productions of Run-DMC's Run-D.M.C. (1984) and King of Rock (1985) and his solo production of Whodini's Escape (1984) and Back in Black (1986).
The discography of Whodini consists of six studio albums and twenty-seven singles.
"Friends" is a song by the American hip-hop group Whodini. The song reached #4 on the U.S. Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.