Street Tuff

Last updated

"Street Tuff"
Street Tuff.jpg
Single by Rebel MC & Double Trouble
from the album Rebel Music
Released1989
Genre
Length3:31
Label Desire
Songwriter(s)
  • Leigh Guest
  • Michael Menson
  • Michael West
Producer(s)
  • Double Trouble
  • Rebel MC
Rebel MC singles chronology
"Just Keep Rockin'"
(1989)		"Street Tuff"
(1989)		"Better World"
(1990)
Music video
"Street Tuff" on YouTube

"Street Tuff" is a song by British producer and toaster Rebel MC and Double Trouble. Released in 1989 by the Desire label as their second single from the debut album, Rebel Music (1990), it became a commercial success and the biggest hit of both performers' careers, peaking at number three on the UK Singles Chart. [1] It is the follow-up to their first hit, "Just Keep Rockin'", which made it into the UK top 20. [1] Additionally, "Street Tuff" was a top-10 hit in Belgium, Greece, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. A music video was also produced to promote the single.

Contents

Critical reception

David Taylor-Wilson from Bay Area Reporter named the song "one of the most infectious grooves we've heard all year", noting that it "mixes the rhythms of Jamaican reggae with a house music beat. Just try and sit still when this one’s playing." [2] Bill Coleman from Billboard wrote that "clever rhyming powered by insinuating club beats" could generate multiformat play to follow the UK act's previous smash, "Just Keep Rockin'". [3] David Giles from Music Week complimented it as a "splendid duet between hot young rapper Rebel MC and former Simply Red backing vocalist Janet Rose, conducted to an instrumental track that sounds very much like a dancehall reggae groove speeded up to 45 rpm! Brilliant and irresistibly danceable." [4] A reviewer from The Network Forty felt that featuring the "sultry Annie Lennox style vocals" of the singer, "this rap-dance record covers both musical realms with equal zeal." [5]

Siân Pattenden from Smash Hits said, "Quite a funky little number this, though very much in the same vein as their last single. There are lots of "yeahs", a boogalong beat and a host of currazy rhythms to keep you dancing. The words are very hard and tough, because the Rebel Mc is "street tuff" and he stings "like a bee" and that sorts of thing." [6] Frank Owen from Spin found that the song is "a single masquerading as an album", "both marketing gimmick and a testament to the way the British mix and match different musical genres, unlike in the US, where the demarcation lines between house, hip hop and reggae still remain fiercely patrolled aesthetic boundaries." [7]

Charts

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rebel MC</span> Musical artist

Michael Alec Anthony West, better known as Rebel MC and Congo Natty, is a British jungle producer and toaster. He has also gone by aliases including Conquering Lion, Blackstar, Tribe of Issachar, Lion of Judah, X Project and Ras Project.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twilight Zone (2 Unlimited song)</span> 1992 single by 2 Unlimited

"Twilight Zone" is a song by Belgian/Dutch Eurodance act 2 Unlimited, released in January 1992 by Byte Records as the second single from the act's debut studio album, Get Ready! (1992). The UK release of the single was the first 2 Unlimited single to include the vocals of Anita Doth, as they had not been featured on their breakthrough hit "Get Ready for This". However, Ray Slijngaard's rap verses were once again removed. The instrumental "Rave" version of the song sounds different from the original "Not Enough" version, with a more hi-NRG style with more bass and added cowbells. The music video was directed by David Betteridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girl I'm Gonna Miss You</span> 1989 single by Milli Vanilli

"Girl I'm Gonna Miss You" is a song by German dance-pop group Milli Vanilli. It was released in July 1989 as the third single from their debut album, All or Nothing (1988), as well as its American counterpart, Girl You Know It's True (1989). The single was a success, hitting the number one spot on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and being certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. The song also reached number one in Austria, Belgium, Canada, the Netherlands and Switzerland, number two in Ireland, the United Kingdom and West Germany, and number three in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Games People Play (Joe South song)</span> 1968 single by Joe South

"Games People Play" is a song written, composed, and performed by American singer-songwriter Joe South, released in August 1968. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1969 and won the 1970 Grammy Awards for both Best Contemporary Song and the Song of the Year.

"Don't Turn Around" is a popular song written by Albert Hammond and Diane Warren. It was originally recorded by American singer Tina Turner and released as the B-side to her 1986 hit single "Typical Male". It has since been included on Turner's compilation album The Collected Recordings: Sixties to Nineties (1994), as well as featuring in the Tina musical since 2018.

Double Trouble were an English dance record production and remixing trio in the house and hip house scene, active during the late 1980s and early 1990s.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sealed with a Kiss</span> 1960 single by The Four Voices

"Sealed with a Kiss" is a song written and composed by Peter Udell and Gary Geld. It first became a hit in 1962 for Brian Hyland. The original recording of "Sealed with a Kiss" was by The Four Voices which was released as a single in May 1960 without becoming a hit. Jason Donovan later had an international number one hit with the song.

"One Love" is a ska song by Bob Marley's original group The Wailers from their 1965 debut studio album The Wailing Wailers. It was rerecorded as part of the 1970 medley "All in One", which contained reggae reworkings of their early ska songs. This was released as a single and is also included on the compilation African Herbsman under the name "All in One".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poison (Alice Cooper song)</span> 1989 single by Alice Cooper

"Poison" is a song by American musician Alice Cooper. Written by Cooper, producer Desmond Child and guitarist John McCurry, the song was released as a single in July 1989 from Cooper's eighteenth album, Trash. It became one of Cooper's biggest hit singles in the United States, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. The power ballad performed even better in the UK by peaking at number two on the UK Singles Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">All Around the World (Lisa Stansfield song)</span> 1989 single by Lisa Stansfield

"All Around the World" is a song by English singer, songwriter and actress Lisa Stansfield from her debut studio album, Affection (1989). It was released as the album's second single on 16 October 1989 by Arista Records. It was written by Stansfield, Ian Devaney and Andy Morris, and produced by Devaney and Morris. The song received favorable reviews from music critics. Songwriters, Stansfield, Devaney and Morris, received the 1989 Ivor Novello Award for Best Song Musically and Lyrically. "All Around the World" was also nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance at the 33rd Annual Grammy Awards. Additionally, Stansfield was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. The song became the first of two UK number-one singles for Stansfield and the first of eight top-ten hits she would achieve in that country.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rok the Nation</span> 1990 single by RobnRaz feat. Leila K

"Rok the Nation" is a song by Swedish electronic music duo Rob'n'Raz featuring rapper Leila K, released in March 1990 by BMG as the second single from their debut album, Rob'n'Raz feat. Leila K (1990). It peaked at number three in both Sweden and Finland. Additionally, the song was a top-20 hit in the Netherlands and Switzerland, and a top-30 hit in Ireland and West Germany. In the UK, "Rok the Nation" reached number 41 on the UK Singles Chart.

"Homely Girl" is a song by American vocal group the Chi-Lites. Release in 1973, it reached number five on the UK Singles Chart, number three on the US Hot Soul Singles chart, and number 54 on the US Billboard Hot 100. A cover by UB40 also became a hit between 1989 and 1991 in several countries.

"It Keeps Rainin'" is a song recorded by Fats Domino in 1961 and written by Domino, Dave Bartholomew and Bobby Charles. It was released in the US on Imperial 5753, and in the UK on London HLP-9374, as the B-side of "I Just Cry". The song was covered by Bitty McLean in 1993, becoming a chart success in Europe and New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Do You See the Light (Looking For)</span> 1993 single by Snap!

"Do You See the Light (Looking For)" is a song by German Eurodance group Snap!, released in May 1993 by Logic and BMG Ariola München GmbH as the fourth and final single from their second studio album, The Madman's Return (1992). It features American singer Niki Haris, who also is credited for co-writing it, and received positive rewiews from music critics. Many of them were comparing it to the work of Giorgio Moroder. The song reached number one in Finland, while peaking within the top 10 in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Netherlands, Switzerland and the UK. On MTV Europe, its accompanying music video received heavy rotation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy X</span> 1992 single by Neneh Cherry

"Buddy X" is a song by Swedish musician Neneh Cherry, released in 1993 by Circa and Virgin as the third and final single from her second album, Homebrew (1992). Co-written and co-produced by Cherry, it was a top-40 hit in both the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, peaking at numbers 23 and 35, respectively. The song also charted in the United States, reaching No. 43 on the Billboard Hot 100, and in Canada, where it reached No. 28 on the RPM Top Singles chart. Additionally, it was a number two hit on the European Dance Radio Chart and a number four hit on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play chart. Its music video was directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tease Me (Chaka Demus & Pliers song)</span> 1993 song by Chaka Demus & Pliers

"Tease Me" is a song by Jamaican reggae duo Chaka Demus & Pliers, released in June 1993 by Mango Records as the first single from their fourth album of the same name (1993). The song was produced by Sly & Robbie, who also co-wrote the lyrics, and was a top-20 hit in at least six countries. It peaked at No. 3 in the United Kingdom and No. 5 in Australia and the Netherlands. The song also reached number two on the UK Dance Singles Chart and number one on the European Dance Radio Chart.

"She Don't Let Nobody (But Me)" is a song by American singer-songwriter Curtis Mayfield, included on his 1982 album Love Is the Place. It was released in 1981 as the first single from the album and reached No. 15 on the US Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">You Bring On the Sun</span> 1992 single by Londonbeat

"You Bring on the Sun" is a song by British-American band Londonbeat, released in June 1992 by Anxious Records as the lead single from their third studio album, Harmony (1992). It was produced by Martyn Phillips and written by the four members of the band, and also received remixes by David Morales and Snowboy. Becoming a major European hit, it was a top-10 hit in several countries, like Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. In the UK, it peaked at number 32, and on the Eurochart Hot 100, it reached number 10 in July 1992. Outside Europe, the song peaked at number 135 in Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Get a Life (Soul II Soul song)</span> 1989 single by Soul II Soul featuring Marcia Lewis

"Get a Life" is a song by British musical collective Soul II Soul, released in November 1989 by Virgin as the first single from the collective's second album, Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade (1990). The song features Marcia Lewis and gained success in Europe, reaching number one in Greece, number two in the Netherlands, and number three in the UK. It became a top-10 hit in Austria, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Sweden, and West Germany. Outside Europe, "Get a Life" peaked at number four in Zimbabwe and number five in New Zealand. In the UK, the single sold over 200 000 copies and was certified silver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Dream's a Dream</span> 1990 single by Soul II Soul featuring Victoria Wilson-James

"A Dream's a Dream" is a song by British musical collective Soul II Soul, released in 1990 by Virgin as the second single from the collective's second album, Vol. II: 1990 – A New Decade (1990). The song features American-born British singer Victoria Wilson-James and received favorable reviews from music critics. It was successful all over Europe, reaching number-one in Greece and the top 10 in Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK. Additionally, it was a top 20 hit in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Sweden and Switzerland. Outside Europe, it peaked at number three on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart in the US, number eight in New Zealand and number 27 in Australia.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  2. ↑ Taylor-Wilson, David (9 August 1990). "The Heat of the Beat". Bay Area Reporter . p. 36. Retrieved 25 April 2020.
  3. ↑ Coleman, Bill (24 February 1990). "Single Reviews" (PDF). Billboard . p. 79. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  4. ↑ Giles, David (30 September 1989). "Singles" (PDF). Music Week . p. 25. Retrieved 13 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "Top 40: The Next 40" (PDF). The Network Forty. 11 May 1990. p. 44. Retrieved 21 March 2020.
  6. ↑ Pattenden, Siân (4 October 1989). "Singles". Smash Hits . p. 73. Retrieved 8 March 2023.
  7. ↑ Owen, Frank (May 1990). "Singles". Spin . p. 84. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
  8. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988-2010 (pdf ed.). Mt. Martha, VIC, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 230.
  9. ↑ "Double Trouble & Rebel MC – Street Tuff" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  10. ↑ "Double Trouble & Rebel MC – Street Tuff" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  11. ↑ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 6, no. 45. 11 November 1989. p. IV. Retrieved 25 September 2020.
  12. ↑ "Top 3 Greece" (PDF). Music & Media . Vol. 17, no. 10. 10 March 1990. p. VII. Retrieved 22 March 2018.
  13. ↑ "Classifiche". Musica e dischi (in Italian). Retrieved 4 June 2022. Set "Tipo" on "Singoli". Then, in the "Artista" field, search "Rebel MC & Double Trouble".
  14. ↑ "Nederlandse Top 40 – week 45, 1989" (in Dutch). Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  15. ↑ "Double Trouble & Rebel MC – Street Tuff" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  16. ↑ "Double Trouble & Rebel MC – Street Tuff". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  17. ↑ "Double Trouble & Rebel MC – Street Tuff". Singles Top 100. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  18. ↑ "Double Trouble & Rebel MC – Street Tuff". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  19. ↑ "Offiziellecharts.de – Double Trouble & Rebel MC – Street Tuff" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  20. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten 1989" (in Dutch). Ultratop . Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  21. ↑ "Top 100–Jaaroverzicht van 1989". Dutch Top 40. Retrieved 15 March 2021.
  22. ↑ "Jaaroverzichten – Single 1989" (in Dutch). MegaCharts . Retrieved 9 February 2021.
  23. ↑ "Year-End Charts '89 – Top 100 Singles". Music Week . London, England: Spotlight Publications. 3 March 1990. p. 16.
  24. ↑ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1990" (in German). GfK Entertainment . Retrieved 9 February 2021.
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.