She Rockers

Last updated

The She Rockers were a female hip hop group from London, featuring Donna 'She Roc' McConnell, Antonia 'MC Aurra' Jolly, Dupe Fagbesa and Alison Clarkson (who later found fame as Betty Boo). [1]

Contents

Career

She Rockers' first release - as a trio of McConnell, Fagbesa and Clarkson - was a track on the Known 2 Be Down compilation of UK hip hop artists from West London. [2] "Give It A Rest", the band's only single as a trio, followed on the Music of Life label, and was produced by Public Enemy's Professor Griff after the She Rockers performed an impromptu rap to Public Enemy at their local McDonald's in Shepherd's Bush, London; [3] She Rockers also supported Public Enemy in the US. They later toured with De La Soul. [4]

Clarkson and Fagbesa departed from the group in 1989, and founding member McConnell then joined forces with original band member Antonia Jolly (Aurra), and landed a recording contract with Jive Records, releasing several singles including "Jam It Jam", and an album, Rockers from London (Jive, 1990). Rockers From London showcased a move towards the contemporary hip house style, was part written and produced by Todd Terry and featured productions by Technotronic and Double Trouble. "Jam It Jam" reached #58 in the UK Singles Chart in January 1990. [5]

In addition to She Rockers, MC Aurra recorded with Rhythm King artists Bomb The Bass and Merlin, [6] Aurra and Clarkson - as Hit and Run - released a single on Rap Sonic records [7] and Clarkson featured on Beatmasters single "Hey DJ/I Can't Dance To That Music You're Playing" before leaving for a successful solo career, [8] which led Music Of Life to release a Simon Harris remix of "Give It A Rest" billed as She Rockers Featuring Betty Boo. [9]

Discography

Albums

Singles

YearSinglePeak positionsAlbum
UK
[10]
1988"Give It a Rest"Single only
1989"On Stage / Get Up on This"89Rockers from London...
"Jam It Jam"58
1990"Do Dat Dance"
"Hands Across the Ocean"
"Give It a Rest (1990)" (featuring Betty Boo)Single only
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Selected compilation appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">3rd Bass</span> American hip hop group

3rd Bass is an American hip hop group that was most active in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Formed by MC Serch, Pete Nice, and DJ Richie Rich, the group was notable for being one of the first successful interracial hip hop acts. Along with Beastie Boys and producer Rick Rubin, MC Serch and Pete Nice were two of the very few white hip hop artists who were widely respected in the community. The group dissolved in 1994 and again in 2000 and 2013 after short-lived reunions. The group released two studio albums in their initial career and both of them were certified gold by the RIAA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Betty Boo</span> English musician (born 1970)

Alison Moira Clarkson, better known as Betty Boo, is a British singer, songwriter and rapper. She first came to mainstream prominence in the late 1980s following a collaboration with the Beatmasters on the song "Hey DJ/I Can't Dance ". Between 1990 and 1992 she had a successful solo career, which spawned a number of chart-placing singles, most notably "Doin' the Do", "Where Are You Baby?", and "Let Me Take You There".

<i>Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black</i> 1991 studio album by Public Enemy

Apocalypse 91… The Enemy Strikes Black is the fourth studio album by American hip hop group Public Enemy, released on October 1, 1991, by Def Jam Recordings and Columbia Records. The album received critical acclaim, ranking at No. 2 in The Village Voice's 1991 Pazz & Jop critics' poll.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Whodini</span> American hip hop group

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The 45 King</span> American hip hop producer and DJ (1959–2023)

Mark Howard James, professionally known as The 45 King and also known as DJ Mark the 45 King, was an American hip hop producer and DJ from The Bronx, New York. He began DJing in the mid-1980s. His pseudonym, the 45 King, came from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">No I.D.</span> American music producer

Ernest Dion Wilson, known professionally as No I.D., is an American record producer, DJ and songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. He is known for his early work with Chicago-based rapper Common, as well as his career mentorship of rappers Kanye West, J. Cole and Logic. Wilson first gained success for his role as an in-house producer for Jermaine Dupri's So So Def Recordings—leading to largely uncredited work on Dupri's productions "My Boo" by Usher, "Outta My System" and "Let Me Hold You" by Bow Wow—before reaching commercial success with his solo productions. He worked with Jay-Z to produce his singles "Run This Town" and "Holy Grail," West to produce "Heartless," and Drake to produce "Find Your Love" and "Nonstop"; each have peaked within the top five of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Music of Life</span> British independent music label

Music of Life is a British independent hip hop and dance music label formed in 1986 by Froggy and Simon Harris, managed by Chris France.

Rhythm King Records Ltd was a British independent record label, founded in the mid-1980s by Martin Heath, Adele Nozedar, DJ Jay Strongman and James Horrocks. It was based in Chiswick, London.

WigWam were an English pop duo, comprising Alex James, the bassist from Blur, and vocalist Betty Boo. With record producer Ben Hillier, and former Boo collaborators Beatmasters, WigWam were said to be creating an album which they described as "experimental yet accessible 21st century pop".

Wee Papa Girl Rappers were a British female rap duo, that found chart success in the late 1980s. They were sisters Sandra and Samantha Lawrence.

"I Can't Dance to That Music You're Playin'" is a 1968 funk-soul single by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas.

<i>Enigma</i> (Keith Murray album) 1996 studio album by Keith Murray

Enigma is the second solo studio album by American rapper Keith Murray. It was released on November 26, 1996, via Jive Records. The recording sessions took place at Mirror Image Recordings in Long Island. The album was produced by Erick Sermon, who also served as executive producer, Ty Fyffe, the Ummah, and Rod 'KP' Kirkpatrick. It features guest appearances from 50 Grand, Kel-Vicious, Erick Sermon, Busta Rhymes, Dave Hollister, Jamal, and Redman. The album peaked at number thirty-nine on the Billboard 200 and number six on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart in the United States. Its lead single "The Rhyme" made it to number 59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, number 12 on the Hot Rap Songs and number 3 on the Hot Dance Music/Maxi-Singles Sales charts.

Aurra was an American 1980s soul group, which, at the time of its biggest success on Salsoul Records, featured Curt Jones (guitar/vocals) and Starleana Young (vocals) and included Steve Washington (bass/guitar/drums), Philip Field (keyboards/synthesizers/vocals) and Tom Lockett (saxophone/percussion).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pump Up the Jam</span> 1989 single by Technotronic

"Pump Up the Jam" is the opening track on Belgian act Technotronic's first album, Pump Up the Jam: The Album (1989). It was released as a single on 18 August 1989 by Swanyard and SBK Records, and was a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the United Kingdom in late 1989 and on the US Billboard Hot 100 in early 1990. It also peaked at number-one in Belgium, Finland, Iceland, Portugal and Spain. "Pump Up the Jam" has been described as a fusion of hip hop and deep house elements, as an early example of the hip house genre, and it has been considered the first house song to become a hit in the US.

<i>1990-Sick</i> 1995 studio album by Spice 1

1990-Sick is the fourth studio album by American rapper Spice 1, released December 5, 1995, on Jive Records. The album was produced by Ant Banks, Blackjack, Bosko, Chase and Clint "Payback" Sands. It peaked at number 3 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and at number 30 on the Billboard 200. One single, "1990-Sick ", peaked at number 91 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and at number 18 on the Billboard Rap Songs. The album features guest appearances by MC Eiht, E-40, Kokane, Joya, Young Kyoz and G-Nut of 187 Fac.

<i>Born Gangstaz</i> 1993 studio album by Bo$$

Born Gangstaz is the only studio album by American gangsta rapper Bo$$. It was released on May 25, 1993, through Def Jam Recordings' West Coast-based sub-label DJ West. The recording sessions took place at Beat Street Studios, Mad Hatter Studios, M'Bila Studios and Westlake Audio in Los Angeles, at Rockin' Reel Recording Studios in Commack, at Chung King Studios in New York City, and at Ian London Studios in East Islip, New York. The album was produced by Def Jef, AMG, Erick Sermon, T-Ray, Chyskillz, Jam Master Jay, Mic Professah, Stone tha Lunatic, and Tracey Waples, who also served as executive producer together with Russell Simmons, and co-producers MC Serch, Courtney Branch and Tracy Kendrick. It features guest appearances from Def Jef, Onyx, AMG, Erick Sermon, dancehall performers Admiral D and Papa Juggy, as well as Bo$$'s parents, Lillie and Joe Laws.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Another Body Murdered</span> 1993 single by Faith No More and Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E.

"Another Body Murdered" is a 1993 single by Faith No More and Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E., taken from the soundtrack album for the film Judgment Night. The brainchild of Cypress Hill's manager, Happy Walters, the soundtrack paired rock and hip-hop acts on each of its songs; Faith No More sought out the American-Samoan Boo-Yaa T.R.I.B.E. after becoming interested in Samoan a capella singing. Charting in several countries, including Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, "Another Body Murdered" has received mixed reactions from music critics, with some seeing it as a harbinger of later acts such as Korn or Limp Bizkit, and others comparing it unfavourably to Public Enemy and Anthrax's earlier crossover single "Bring the Noise".

<i>You Better Ask Somebody</i> 1993 studio album by hip-hop artist Yo-Yo

You Better Ask Somebody is the third studio album by the American West Coast hip-hop artist, Yo-Yo. The album was released on June 22, 1993, through East West America and Atlantic Records, and featured production by Ice Cube, N.W.A producer Laylaw, the Baker Boys, Derrick McDowell, Mister Woody, and Tootie. The album peaked at number 107 on the Billboard 200 and number 21 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. There were two singles from the album that charted, including "Westside Story", which reached number 14 on the Hot Rap Singles, and "The Bonnie and Clyde Theme", which peaked at the number 1 spot on Hot Rap Singles and featured Ice Cube.

<i>GRRR! Its Betty Boo</i> 1992 studio album by Betty Boo

Grrr! It's Betty Boo is the second studio album by English singer Betty Boo, released on 12 October 1992 via WEA Records. This album failed to match the success of her debut studio album, Boomania (1990), stalling at No. 62 in the UK Albums Chart. The album did however garner one hit single with "Let Me Take You There", which peaked at No. 12 in the UK Singles Chart. Further singles from the album were "I'm on My Way", "Catch Me", "Thing Goin' On" and "Hangover". The record is dedicated to her father. The cover art is based on the iconic package of Tigra cigarettes. After this, Betty Boo retired from the music industry for several years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doin' the Do</span> 1990 single by Betty Boo

"Doin' the Do" is a song by English singer, songwriter and pop-rap artist Betty Boo, released in May 1990 by Warner Bros. as the second single from her debut album, Boomania (1990). The song was co-written and co-produced by Boo, reaching the top 10 in Australia, Belgium, Ireland, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Boo has stated in interviews, that the name of the song basically means 'I'm getting on and doing things'. Much later after the song was released, someone told her it was a slang expression for cunnilingus.

References

  1. "She Rockers | Biography & History". AllMusic . Retrieved 2020-05-22.
  2. "Various - Known 2 be Down". Discogs .
  3. O'Brien, Lucy. "Feature: Take-off for the girl from Planet Boo". The Guardian (August 22, 1990). Guardian News and Media Limited: 20.
  4. "Hip Hop Connection #022 (November 1990) – Britcore".
  5. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 495. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  6. "Aurra (2)". Discogs .
  7. "Hit and Run". Discogs .
  8. "Betty Boo on how she made Doin' the do". TheGuardian.com . 21 June 2021.
  9. "She Rockers Featuring Betty Boo - Give It a Rest (1990)". Discogs .
  10. "The Official Charts Company - She Rockers". The Official Charts Company. 4 April 2014.