Large and in Charge

Last updated

Large and in Charge
Large and in Charge.jpg
Studio album by
Chunky A
Released1989
Genre Comedy rap
Label MCA Records
Producer Arsenio Hall
Attala Zane Giles

Large and in Charge is a 1989 comedy rap album by Arsenio Hall, released under the name of his "portly rapping alter ego" [1] Chunky A. It is his only release under this name.

Contents

Background

Arsenio Hall began hosting The Arsenio Hall Show in 1989, and that same year, recorded and released the Large and in Charge album as Chunky A. Chunky A was marketed humorously as Hall's overweight younger brother [2] who had been a roadie for Barry Manilow. [3] Hall wrote the album and was a co-producer. [4] The album was a minor hit, reaching #71 on the Billboard 200, and one single, "Owwww!", charted, reaching #77 on the Billboard Hot 100. [5] "Owwww!"'s music video featured Hall in a fatsuit wearing a necklace chain with a large golden "A" on it. [6] "Sorry" was also released as a single, but did not chart. The album included the tracks "Ho Is Lazy" (a parody of Fine Young Cannibals' "She Drives Me Crazy") and "Dope, the Big Lie" (an anti-drug song featuring Paula Abdul, Wil Wheaton, and Ice-T). [7]

Contemporaneous reviews of the album were mixed. The Orlando Sentinel remarked, "Although he's occasionally mildly funny, Chunk's rhymes are less def than deficient - and less dope than dopey." [7] The Los Angeles Times gave the album three stars out of five, describing the album as "a raunchy, frequently hilarious album that's part rap--reflecting influences by the Fat Boys and Heavy D--and part funk, done in the talk-singing style of George Clinton and Cameo's Larry Blackmon." [4]

Track listing

  1. "Owwww!"
  2. "Large and in Charge"
  3. "Stank Breath"
  4. "Ho Is Lazy"
  5. "Sorry"
  6. "I Command You to Dance"
  7. "Very High Key"
  8. "Dipstick"
  9. "Dope, the Big Lie"

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Clinton (funk musician)</span> American musician (born 1941)

George Edward Clinton is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and bandleader. His Parliament-Funkadelic collective developed an influential and eclectic form of funk music during the 1970s that drew on Afrofuturism, outlandish fashion, psychedelia, and surreal humor. He launched his solo career with the 1982 album Computer Games and would go on to influence 1990s hip-hop and G-funk.

<i>Straight Outta Compton</i> 1988 studio album by N.W.A

Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American gangsta rap group N.W.A, which, led by Eazy-E, formed in Los Angeles County's City of Compton in early 1987. Released by his label, Ruthless Records, on August 8, 1988, the album was produced by N.W.A members Dr. Dre, DJ Yella, and Arabian Prince, with lyrics written by N.W.A members Ice Cube and MC Ren along with Ruthless rapper and unofficial member The D.O.C. Not merely depicting Compton's street violence, the lyrics repeatedly threaten to lead it by attacking peers and even police. The track "Fuck tha Police" drew an FBI agent's warning letter, which aided N.W.A's notoriety, with N.W.A calling itself "the world's most dangerous group."

<i>Doggystyle</i> 1993 studio album by Snoop Doggy Dogg

Doggystyle is the debut studio album by American rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg. It was released on November 23, 1993, by Death Row and Interscope Records. The album was recorded and produced following Snoop Doggy Dogg's appearances on Dr. Dre's debut solo album The Chronic (1992), to which Snoop contributed significantly. The West Coast style in hip-hop that he developed from Dre's first album continued on Doggystyle. Critics have praised Snoop Dogg for the lyrical "realism" that he delivers on the album and for his distinctive vocal flow.

<i>Murder Was the Case</i> 1994 soundtrack album by various artists

Murder Was the Case is a 1994 short film and soundtrack album starring and performed by Snoop Doggy Dogg. The 18 minute film was directed by Dr. Dre and Fab Five Freddy and chronicles the fictional death of Snoop Dogg and his resurrection after making a deal with the Devil. The film's title comes from Snoop's song of the same name from his debut album, Doggystyle, which had been released a year earlier.

<i>The Funky Headhunter</i> 1994 studio album by Hammer

The Funky Headhunter is the fifth studio album by American rapper Hammer, released on March 1, 1994, via Giant Records and Reprise Records.

<i>Eazy-Duz-It</i> 1988 studio album by Eazy-E

Eazy-Duz-It is the debut studio album by American rapper Eazy-E. It was released on November 22, 1988, by Ruthless Records and Priority Records. The album charted on two different charts and went 2× Platinum in the United States despite very little promotion by radio and television. Three singles were released from the album, each charting in the US. The remastered version contains tracks from the extended play (EP), 5150: Home 4 tha Sick (1992). The 25th anniversary (2013) contains two bonus tracks which are 12" remixes of "We Want Eazy" and "Still Talkin.'"

<i>Wonderful</i> (Rick James album) 1988 studio album by Rick James

Wonderful is the 10th studio album by American musician Rick James, released in 1988 via Reprise Records. It includes the hit song "Loosey's Rap", which topped the US R&B Charts.

<i>Hold an Old Friends Hand</i> 1988 studio album by Tiffany

Hold an Old Friend's Hand is the second studio album by American singer Tiffany, released on November 21, 1988, by MCA Records. It was produced by George Tobin, who previously worked with Tiffany on her self-titled debut album. Hold an Old Friend's Hand is a teen pop and bubblegum pop album that explores the themes of young adulthood. Musically, the album incorporates elements of pop, rock, funk, disco, dance, and country pop.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jump They Say</span> 1993 single by David Bowie

"Jump They Say" is a song by English singer-songwriter David Bowie from his 18th album Black Tie White Noise (1993). It was written by Bowie, produced by Nile Rodgers and released as the first single from the album in March 1993 by Arista Records. While Bowie opted not to tour for the Black Tie White Noise album, the song was performed on his 1995–96 Outside Tour and released as part of the live concert No Trendy Réchauffé (2020). The accompanying music video for "Jump They Say" was directed by Mark Romanek and received heavy rotation on MTV Europe.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Insane in the Brain</span> 1993 single by Cypress Hill

"Insane in the Brain" is a song by American hip hop group Cypress Hill, released in June 1993 by Ruffhouse and Columbia as the first single from the group's second album, Black Sunday (1993). The song was written by group members Louis Freese, Lawrence Muggerud and Senen Reyes, and produced by Muggerud. In addition to hitting number one on the US rap chart, it also was a mainstream hit, reaching number 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1993. "Insane in the Brain" earned a 3× platinum certification from the Recording Industry Association of America and sold 3,000,000 copies domestically. The accompanying music video was directed by Josh Taft, featuring the group performing at a rave.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Work to Do</span> 1972 funk song by the Isley Brothers

"Work to Do" is a 1972 funk song by the Isley Brothers, released on their T-Neck imprint. The song, written and produced by the group, was issued on their 1972 album, Brother, Brother, Brother, and charted at #51 pop and #11 R&B upon its initial charting.

<i>Lets Get It Started</i> (album) 1988 studio album by M.C. Hammer

Let's Get It Started is the second studio album, and first major-label debut, by American rapper MC Hammer. It was released via Capitol Records and EMI Records on September 28, 1988. The album was produced by Hammer and Felton Pilate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tennessee (Arrested Development song)</span> 1992 single by Arrested Development

"Tennessee" a song by American hip hop group Arrested Development, released in March 1992 by Chrysalis and Cooltempo as the first single from their debut album, 3 Years, 5 Months & 2 Days in the Life Of... (1992). The song was produced by group member Speech and contains a sample of Prince's 1988 hit "Alphabet St.". "Tennessee" peaked at number six in the United States and won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group in 1993. The accompanying music video was directed by Milcho Manchevski. A 2007 poll of VH1 viewers placed the song at number 71 on the list of the "Greatest Songs of the 90s" and is listed as one of the "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll" by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. It was also ranked number 78 on VH1's "100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's What I Think</span> 1993 single by Cyndi Lauper

"That's What I Think" is a song by American singer and songwriter Cyndi Lauper, released in November 1993 by Epic Records as the second single from her fourth album, Hat Full of Stars (1993). Written by Lauper with Rob Hyman, Allee Willis and Eric Bazilian, the song was also produced by her with Junior Vasquez. It peaked in the top 40 in a couple of countries and was a dance hit in the United States. Its popular remixes caused the track to climb on the dance charts. It appeared on the album Twelve Deadly Cyns...and Then Some in its album edit format. The accompanying music video was directed by Lauper, featuring different fans explaining what music meant to them. Upon the release, Lauper performed the song at the American Music Awards, The Late Show with David Letterman, The Arsenio Hall Show, and The Tonight Show.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Everette Harp</span> American jazz saxophonist (born 1961)

Everette Harp is an American jazz saxophonist who has recorded for Blue Note, Capitol and Shanachie Records. His album Jazz Funk Soul, a collaboration with Chuck Loeb and Jeff Lorber, received his first nomination for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Instrumental Album at 57th Annual Grammy Awards.

<i>Just Before the Bullets Fly</i> 1988 studio album by Gregg Allman Band

Just Before the Bullets Fly is a studio album by the Gregg Allman Band, released on Epic Records in 1988. The album peaked at number 117 on the Billboard 200 chart.

"Sanctified" is a song by American hip hop recording artist Rick Ross, taken from his sixth studio album Mastermind (2014). The song, produced by Kanye West, Mike Dean, and DJ Mustard, featuring guest appearances by rappers Kanye West and Big Sean. It was written by the aforementioned rappers and producers and Betty Wright sang the hook. "Sanctified" garnered critical acclaim from music critics, with most praising the production and Kanye West's appearance. Despite not being released as a single, it is the highest-charting song on Mastermind to date, debuting at number 25 on the UK R&B Chart, number 78 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 99 on the Canadian Hot 100 upon the album's release.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Born 2 B.R.E.E.D.</span> 1993 single by Monie Love

"Born 2 B.R.E.E.D." is a song by British rapper, actress and radio personality Monie Love. It was written by Love with Prince and Levi Seacer Jr., and released in February 1993 by Chrysalis Records as the second single from her second album, In a Word or 2 (1993). B.R.E.E.D. is an acronym for "Build Relationships where Education and Enlightenment Dominate". A remix produced by Steve "Silk" Hurley was also included on the album. In Love's native UK, the single went to number 18 on the Top Singles chart. As well the song peaked at No. 7 on the Dutch and No. 21 on the New Zealand Top Pop Singles charts. "Born 2 B.R.E.E.D." was Monie Love's most successful dance hit, reaching number one on the US Billboard Dance Music/Club Play Singles chart for one week. The song also peaked at No. 7 on the US Billboard Hot Rap Songs chart.

<i>24K Magic</i> (album) 2016 studio album by Bruno Mars

24K Magic is the third studio album by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars. It was released by Atlantic Records on November 18, 2016. Mars reunited with Philip Lawrence and Christopher Brody Brown, who composed the album under their joint alias Shampoo Press & Curl. Mars enlisted new composers including the Stereotypes and James Fauntleroy. Recording sessions for 24K Magic took place between late 2015 and September 2016 at Glenwood Place Studios in Burbank, California.

"Chunky" is a song by American singer Bruno Mars from his third studio album 24K Magic (2016). It was solely released as a radio single in Australia on November 29, 2017 by Warner Music Australia and Atlantic, and served as the album's fourth single. "Chunky" was co-written by Mars, Philip Lawrence,Christopher Brody Brown, and James Fauntleroy. Mars, Lawrence, and Brown produced the song under their alias, Shampoo Press & Curl. Musically, "Chunky" is a funk and electro-funk ballad, while lyrically acting as an anthem for big buttocks.

References

  1. Chunky A biography at Allmusic
  2. 7 Things You Might Not Know About Arsenio Hall. Mental Floss , March 5, 2021.
  3. "Chunky Profile". Jet , November 27, 1989, p. 63.
  4. 1 2 Dennis Hunt, Rap / Funk Raunch by Arsenio's Little 'Bro' : ARSENIO HALL "Arsenio Hall Presents Chunky A--Large & in Charge." MCA ***. Los Angeles Times , November 26, 1989.
  5. "Chunky A (Arsenio Hall)". in Bob Leszczak, From Small Screen to Vinyl: A Guide to Television Stars Who Made Records, 1950-2000. Rowman & Littlefield, 2015, pp. 63-64.
  6. "As the bulky rapper dances around, he risks being bludgeoned by the giant gold "A" on his necklace. His body shifts around like it's, well, padding. And it is ...". "Chunky A". Newsweek , Vol. 114, 1989, p. 79.
  7. 1 2 Parry Gettleman, "Chunky A: Large and In Charge". Orlando Sentinel , January 5, 1990.