On and On (The Fat Boys album)

Last updated
On and On
The Fat Boys - On and On.jpg
Studio album by
the Fat Boys
Released1989
Genre Rap
Label Tin Pan Apple/Mercury
Producer The Fat Boys
The Fat Boys chronology
Coming Back Hard Again
(1988)		On and On
(1989)		Mack Daddy
(1991)

On and On is the sixth album by the American rap trio the Fat Boys, released in 1989. [1] [2] They marketed it as the first "rapera". [3] [4] On and On was the trio's final album with Prince Markie Dee. [5]

Contents

The album peaked at No. 175 on the Billboard 200. [6] The singles, "Lie-Z" and "Just Loungin'", peaked at Nos. 81 and 86 on Billboard's Hot Black Singles chart. [7] The trio supported the album by performing it in full for a New York City charity event. [8]

Production

The group decided to make a rap opera after watching the movie version of the Who's Tommy . [9] Recorded over three months, On and On was written and produced by the trio; it was the first time they had complete control over the recording of one of their albums. [9] It opens and closes with narration from Doctor Dré and Ed Lover. The songs revolve around Buff "The Human Beat Box" Robinson's breakup with his girlfriend and his adventures with the group while searching for an old flame. [4] Robinson also sings on "Rainy, Rainy", although he intended his vocal version to be a demo. [9] The packaging included a libretto. [4] "It's Getting Hot" is set at the NYC nightclub Palladium. [9] "Lie-Z" compares Robinson's wealth to that of Donald Trump. [10]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [11]
The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [12]

The Chicago Tribune stated that the "tale is marked variously by playfulness, plenty of bragging and some inspirational study-hard and stop-the-violence messages." [13] Cashbox opined that the trio was influenced by the chart triumphs of DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince and called the album "solid enough to compete." [14] Trouser Press dismissed the album as "a boring display of tired clichés and uninspired performances, with none of the cartoony crew's old panache." [15] Colin Larkin called On and On "a hugely disappointing set" that offered "a lukewarm adaptation of gangsta concerns." [12]

Track listing

No.TitleLength
1."'Yo' Venture: Doctor Dré and Ed Lover" 
2."Lie-Z" 
3."Get Down" 
4."T'ings Nah Go So" 
5."School Days" 
6."It's Getting Hot" 
7."On and On" 
8."Just Lougin'" 
9."Knock 'Em Out the Box" 
10."Braggin'" 
11."Just Hookin'" 
12."Trouble" 
13."If It Ain't One Thing It's Anuddah (Bruddah)" 
14."Rainy, Rainy" 
15."After (Words!): Doctor Dre and Ed Lover" 

Related Research Articles

<i>No More Mr. Nice Guy</i> (Gang Starr album) 1989 studio album by Gang Starr

No More Mr. Nice Guy is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo Gang Starr. The album was released on June 6, 1989. It peaked at No. 83 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song "Positivity" peaked at No. 19 on the Billboard rap chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Fat Boys</span> American hip hop trio

The Fat Boys were an American hip hop trio from Brooklyn, New York, who emerged in the early 1980s. The group was briefly known originally as the Disco 3, originally composed of Mark "Prince Markie Dee" Morales, Damon "Kool Rock-Ski" Wimbley, and Darren "Buff Love" Robinson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">B.G., the Prince of Rap</span> American rapper and eurodance artist (1965–2023)

Bernard Greene, also known as B.G. the Prince of Rap, was an American rapper and singer. He experienced modest success in Germany, where he lived after being posted by the U.S. Army.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right</span> Song

"(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don't Want to Be Right" is a song written by Stax Records songwriters Homer Banks, Carl Hampton, and Raymond Jackson. Originally written for The Emotions, it has been performed by many singers, most notably by Luther Ingram, whose original recording topped the R&B chart for four weeks and rose to number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1972. Billboard ranked it as the No. 16 song for 1972.

<i>Kingdom Blow</i> 1986 studio album by Kurtis Blow

Kingdom Blow is the seventh studio album by the American hip hop musician Kurtis Blow, released in 1986.

"8th Wonder" is a 1980 single by the American hip hop trio the Sugarhill Gang, originally released on Sugar Hill. It was later included in the 1981 album 8th Wonder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Prince Markie Dee</span> American rapper (1968–2021)

Mark Anthony Morales, better known by the stage name Prince Markie Dee, was an American rapper. He was a member of the Fat Boys, a pioneering hip hop group that gained fame during the 1980s. Morales was the vice-president of Uncle Louie Music Group.

<i>Grab It!</i> 1988 studio album by LTrimm

Grab It! is the debut album by the American hip hop duo L'Trimm, released in 1988. It was originally released by Time-X Records before being licensed to Atlantic Records.

<i>Ear to the Street</i> 1993 studio album by the Conscious Daughters

Ear to the Street is the debut studio album by American hip hop duo the Conscious Daughters. It was released in 1993 via Scarface Records and Priority Records. The album peaked at No. 126 on the Billboard 200, at No. 25 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and at No. 7 on the Heatseekers Albums. It spawned two singles, "Somethin' to Ride To " and "We Roll Deep", both of which made it to the Billboard charts.

<i>In the Nude</i> 1993 studio album by Luke

In the Nude is the third studio album by the American rapper Uncle Luke. It was released on July 12, 1993 via Luke Records. Production was handled by Mike "Fresh" McCray, Home Team, Eddie Miller, Clay Dixon, John "Swift" Catalon and Bishop "Stick" Burrell, with Luke serving as executive producer. It features guest appearances from JT Money, Clayvoisie, Home Team, H-Town, Jiggie Gee and Fresh Kid Ice. The album reached at number 54 on the Billboard 200 and number 8 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums in the United States.

<i>Ego Trip</i> (Kurtis Blow album) 1984 studio album by Kurtis Blow

Ego Trip is the fifth album by the rapper Kurtis Blow, released in 1984 on Mercury Records. The only charting singles were "8 Million Stories", which peaked at 45 on the Hot Black Singles chart, and "Basketball", which peaked at 71 on the Hot 100.

<i>Bad Sister</i> (album) 1989 studio album by Roxanne Shanté

Bad Sister is the debut album by Roxanne Shanté, released in 1989 on Cold Chillin' Records. The album peaked at No. 52 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.

"Doggin' Around" is a 1960 Rhythm and blues song written by Lena Agree and originally performed by Jackie Wilson. Reaching both the R&B and the pop singles charts in the U.S., "Doggin' Around" hit number one on the Hot R&B Sides chart for three weeks and peaked at number fifteen on the Billboard Hot 100. The A-side of the single was "Night", based on the aria "My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice" from the opera Samson and Delilah, by Saint-Saëns; it made the top five on the R&B and pop charts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hey DJ (The World's Famous Supreme Team song)</span> 1984 single by The Worlds Famous Supreme Team

"Hey! DJ" is a song by The World's Famous Supreme Team. Writing is credited to Larry Price, Ronald Larkins Jr., and Malcolm McLaren and it was produced by Stephen Hague. Released on 12" in 1984 on Island Records, there were three mixes included. The song refers to McLaren's previous hit "Buffalo Gals", which the group featured on. "Hey DJ" peaked at number fifteen on the US soul chart.

<i>Youve Got a Friend</i> (Andy Williams album) 1971 studio album by Andy Williams

You've Got a Friend is the twenty-eighth studio album by American pop singer Andy Williams, released in August 1971 by Columbia Records. The album bears a striking resemblance to the Johnny Mathis album You've Got a Friend released that same month. Besides sharing their name, the two albums are both made up of covers of easy listening hits of the time, with 11 songs each, and the two albums have seven songs in common that are positioned in a similar order.

<i>Crushin</i> 1987 studio album by The Fat Boys

Crushin' is the fourth studio album by the hip hop group the Fat Boys, released in 1987. It was their breakout album, charting in the top 10 on both Billboard Pop and R&B album charts and selling more than a million copies by the end of the year. It includes a cover version of the Surfaris' hit "Wipe Out" with the Beach Boys singing back-up vocals. The cover made it to No. 12 on the Billboard chart, and No. 10 on the corresponding R&B listing. The album peaked at No. 49 on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love</span> 1972 single by The Supremes

"Your Wonderful, Sweet Sweet Love" is a song written by Smokey Robinson, recorded in October 1966 by Kim Weston. Her recording was not issued at the time as she left the label over a dispute over royalties in 1967. Weston's original version was first released in 2005.

<i>Coming Back Hard Again</i> 1988 studio album by the Fat Boys

Coming Back Hard Again is an album by the American hip hop trio the Fat Boys, released in 1988.

<i>Chillin</i> (Force MDs album) 1985 studio album by Force MDs

Chillin' is an album by the American R&B vocal group Force MDs. The hit single "Tender Love" also appears on the soundtrack to Krush Groove.

<i>And the Winner Is...</i> (Chubb Rock album) 1989 studio album by Chubb Rock

And the Winner Is... is the second album by the American hip hop musician Chubb Rock, released in 1989. As on Chubb's debut, producer Howie Tee is credited on the album cover.

References

  1. ↑ "Fat Boys Biography by Andy Kellman". AllMusic. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  2. ↑ "The Fat Boys". Hip Hop Connection. No. 10. November 1989. p. 12.
  3. ↑ Grein, Paul (August 20, 1989). "New Notes". Calendar. Los Angeles Times. p. 65.
  4. 1 2 3 "Fat Boys' new album will be a 'rap opera'". The Gazette. Los Angeles Daily News. August 12, 1989. p. H10.
  5. ↑ Perrone, Pierre (December 12, 1995). "Darren Robinson". Gazette. The Independent. p. 16.
  6. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2018). Joel Whitburn's Top Pop Albums 1955–2016. Record Research Inc. p. 406.
  7. ↑ Whitburn, Joel (2004). Joel Whitburn Presents Top R&B/Hip-Hop Singles, 1942–2004. Record Research Inc. p. 199.
  8. ↑ Elias, Thomas (September 14, 1989). "Now it's rap opera". The Ottawa Citizen. p. D15.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Wayne, Renee Lucas (October 5, 1989). "Fat Boys Built to Rap Opera". Features. Philadelphia Daily News. p. 39.
  10. ↑ Richards, Chris (November 10, 2019). "Trump's rap sheet" . The Washington Post. p. E1.
  11. ↑ "On and On Fat Boys". AllMusic. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
  12. 1 2 Larkin, Colin (1997). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music. Virgin Books. p. 184.
  13. ↑ Popson, Tom (August 25, 1989). "Yo, Figaro!". Friday. Chicago Tribune. p. 7.
  14. ↑ Albert, George (November 10, 1989). "New releases". The Sentinel. Carlisle: Cashbox. p. D5.
  15. ↑ "Fat Boys". Trouser Press. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.