Newcleus

Last updated

Newcleus
Origin Brooklyn, New York City
Genres Electro, boogie, old school hip hop, rap, breakdance
Years active1977–1990, 2007-2008, 2014-2019
LabelsMayhew
Sunnyview/Rhino/Jam-On Recordings
MembersYvette "Lady E" Cenac (née Cook)
Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac
Monique "Nique D" Crafton (née Angevin)
Past membersDenise "Niecy D" Williams
Bob "Chilly B" Crafton (deceased)

Newcleus was an American electro and old school hip hop group that gained popularity in the early 1980s. The group is primarily known for its 12-inch single "Jam-On's Revenge" (re-released as "Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)" (1983)) and "Jam on It" (1984).

Contents

The group was based in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. [1] Their appearance overlapped with the formative years of hip-hop DJing in the Bronx. [2]

The beat from their 1984-song "Automan" was adapted by euro-dance project "Snap!" for their 1992-release "Rhythm is a Dancer" which featured lyrics written and performed by American singer and songwriter Thea Austin as well as rap vocals by American rapper Turbo B and became a major international hit. [3]

History

Formation

A precursor to the group, known as Jam-On Productions, was formed in 1977 in Brooklyn, New York City, and included teenagers Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac and his cousins Monique and Pierre "Pete" Angevin. [4] The group's popularity grew as it played block parties in Brooklyn. By 1979, the primary group's members were Cenac, Yvette "Lady E" Cook (who would later marry Cozmo D), Monique Angevin, and Bob "Chilly B" Crafton (who would later marry Angevin). [4] The coming together of families inspired the name change to Newcleus. [4]

Success

Newcleus recorded "Jam-On Revenge," a block-party favorite featuring vocals that were sped up. [4] The track impressed record producer Joe Webb, and it became the group's first single in 1983 on Mayhew Records. [4] Retitled as "Jam On Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)", the track reached the top 40 on the US R&B chart. [4] [5] The group eventually signed with Sunnyview Records, which was later acquired by Rhino Records in the 1990s.

The follow-up, "Jam on It," did well on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 56. [4] [5] Both singles began as an anti-rap joke, according to founding member DJ and producer Ben Cenac.

At the time (1981) we were going by the name Positive Messenger and were making music that had a purpose, either messages of love or faith or talking about the conditions of the world. However, we were still doing lots of Hip-Hop jams with our DJ crew Jam-On Productions. So, one of our DJs, Salvador Smooth, kept nagging me to do a Rap song. Having come out of Hip-Hop street battles in Brooklyn in the ’70s, I didn't really think much of the Rap records that were playing on the radio, so I figured as a joke I would make a parody jam ... I threw in an idea from an [event] that actually had happened in the ’70s, when a DJ who we had just blown out in a battle said to me "Yeah, you guys are bad, but you can't do this… wikki wikki wikki wikki," meaning how we didn't scratch on the turntables.

I used to play "Jam-On's Revenge" at our parties and it would fill the dance floor, so even though I had never planned to release it, when I was shopping Positive Messenger for a deal I put it on the tape just to fill out space at the end. Turned out it ended up being the track that drove everybody crazy! So, we went with it and changed our names to Newcleus." [6]

A third release, "Computer Age (Push the Button)" reached the R&B top 40. [4] Newcleus released two albums in the mid-1980s, Jam on Revenge and Space Is the Place, although neither sold well. [4] The Cenacs and the Craftons continued to record until 1989. [4]

Later years

The group released several albums during the following years, but these were the creations of producers putting out material under the Newcleus name. Some of these featured classic Newcleus tracks touted as live versions (but simply added crowd noise atop the original tracks).

In 2005, Cozmo D released an album, Destination Earth: The Definitive Newcleus Recordings, a collection of hip-hop tracks from the group's entire catalog. This collection superseded the Rhino/Atlantic Records compilation Jam on This! The Best of Newcleus. The majority of the songs on this release were restored and remastered from the original master tapes. The definitive versions of the songs "Destination Earth" and "Why" taken from this CD were also released on 12-inch vinyl on the German record label Dominance Electricity. Together with remixes by Sbassship and Reeno, the cover illustrations are by Bill Wray (known for his work on the 1990s cult TV cartoon The Ren & Stimpy Show ).

Although both Newcleus albums, Jam on Revenge and Space Is the Place, have been remastered and reissued on CD, the song "Where's the Beat" from Jam on Revenge was removed from the track listing because Sunnyview insisted on including the track on the original album, even though it was not recorded or produced by the group. These albums were previously available in the United States only on vinyl and audio cassette. However, both albums' original track listing and cover art were also available on CD, manufactured and distributed by Bellaphon Germany through Sunnyview Records in 1988.

Chilly B died at age 47 of a stroke on February 23, 2010. [7]

Media appearances

"Jam On It" is heard in a Halloween party sequence in Blind, the first of non-fiction filmmaker Frederick Wiseman's four films released in 1986 about the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind.

Newcleus' songs have been used in several video games. "Computer Age" appears in Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX , and "Jam On It" appears in both Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2 and DJ Hero 2 , the latter featuring a newly re-recorded version of the song.

Discography

Albums

YearAlbumPeak chart positionsRecord label
US
[5]
US
R&B

[5]
UK
[8]
1984 Jam on Revenge 931584Sunnyview Records
1985Space Is the Place43
1990Jam on ThisBellaphon Records
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilations

Singles

YearTitlePeak chart positionsAlbum
US
[5]
US R&B
[5]
US Dance
[5]
UK
[9]
1983"Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)"2644Jam on Revenge
1984"Jam on It"5691689
"Computer Age (Push the Button)"31
"Automan"
1985"Destination Earth (1999)"
"Space Is the Place"Space Is the Place
"I Wanna Be a B-Boy"74
"Let's Jam"74
1986"Na Na Beat"77
1987"Huxtable House Party"
1988"She's Bad"
"We're So Hyped!"
1990"Jam on This"Jam on This
"50 Ways to Get Funky"
1994"Trigger"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Remixes

Related Research Articles

The new school of hip hop was a movement in hip hop music, beginning in 1983–84 with the early records of Run–D.M.C., Whodini, and LL Cool J. Predominantly from Queens and Brooklyn, it was characterized by drum machine-led minimalism, often tinged with elements of rock; rapped taunts, boasts, and socio-political commentary; and aggressive, self-assertive delivery. In song and image, its artists projected a tough, cool, street b-boy attitude. These elements contrasted sharply with funk and disco, novelty hits, live bands, synthesizers, and party rhymes of artists prevalent in the early 1980s. Compared to their older hip hop counterparts, new school artists crafted more cohesive LPs and shorter songs more amenable to airplay. By 1986, their releases began to establish hip hop in the mainstream.

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

3rd Bass was an American hip hop group that was 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.

Filipino hip-hop or Pinoy hip hop is hip hop music performed by musicians of Filipino descent, both in the Philippines and overseas, especially by Filipino-Americans.

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

The Beatnuts is an American hip hop group and production duo from New York City. Its current members are JuJu and Psycho Les. JuJu is a Dominican American from Corona and Psycho Les is a Colombian American from Jackson Heights, Queens. Although only peripheral members, they are routinely acknowledged by Q-Tip as being members of Native Tongues. The Beatnuts were originally a trio before Fashion, now known as Al' Tariq, left the group to start a solo career. V.I.C. was also a member of The Beatnuts' production team for a while.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">M.O.P.</span> American hip hop duo from Brooklyn, New York

M.O.P. is an American hip hop duo composed of East Coast rappers Billy Danze and Lil' Fame. After years of mostly underground success, they gained more mainstream recognition in 2000 with the song "Ante Up", which would become their biggest hit. The group has frequently collaborated with DJ Premier and is part of the Gang Starr Foundation. Fame sometimes produces under the moniker Fizzy Womack, and has produced tracks on every M.O.P. release since 1996's Firing Squad, as well as work for other artists including Kool G Rap, Teflon and Wu-Tang Clan.

<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">Jeru the Damaja</span> American rapper from New York

Kendrick Jeru Davis, known as Jeru the Damaja, is an American rapper and record producer. He is known for his 1993 single "Come Clean" from his debut album, The Sun Rises in the East, ranked as one of the 100 greatest hip-hop albums of all time by the editors of About.com. He has worked extensively with Guru and DJ Premier of Gang Starr, whom he has known since he was in high school.

Wendell Timothy Fite, also known as DJ Hurricane is an American hip hop DJ, producer and rapper. He is best known for his work with the Beastie Boys. He was a member of the groups Solo Sounds and The Afros and recorded three solo albums, featuring many well-known artists such as Xzibit, Public Enemy, Kool G Rap, Black Thought, Papoose and Talib Kweli.

A wiki is a collaborative website.

Music Instructor was a German electro-dance music project. The producers and songwriters of Music Instructor were Mike Michaels, Mark "MM" Dollar, and Mark Tabak, also known as Triple-M Crew. Triple-M has also produced other artists and bands such as Brainbug, Flying Steps, Mystica, Highland, The Boyz, Overground, Before Four, US5 and Ayman. Music Instructor often worked with many other artists, especially a group Lunatics and a breakdance crew Flying Steps, and was most active in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Donald Lamont, professionally known by his stage name Donald-D, is an American rapper and record producer from the Bronx, New York. He is a member of the Universal Zulu Nation, a member of the B-Boys, and is best known as a member of Ice-T's Rhyme Syndicate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chubb Rock</span> Jamaican rapper

Richard Anthony Simpson, also known as Chubb Rock, is an American rapper who released several successful hip hop albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s. A National Merit Scholar, Chubb Rock dropped out of Brown University to pursue his musical career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Planet Rock (song)</span> 1982 single by Afrika Bambaataa & the Soulsonic Force

"Planet Rock" is a song by the American hip hop artists Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force. The song was produced by Arthur Baker and released by Tommy Boy Records in 1982. The recording came together after DJ and producer Baker met with Bambaataa and the two bonded over the idea of creating a song about their mutual appreciation for the band Kraftwerk. Baker and Bambaataa had worked together previously on the song "Jazzy Sensation" and decided to compose a more electronic based version of the hip hop song, as opposed to the more disco-oriented work popular at the time. Along with musician John Robie, the group recorded the single at Intergalactic Studios in New York. Robie duplicated the sound on the record and had Bambaataa's rappers in the Soul Sonic Force rap over it. To create the raps, the lyricist of the group, Emcee G.L.O.B.E., had to develop a style he called "mc popping", which involved rapping off time, an unusual style at the time.

Journeys by DJ originated as a UK dance music record label, which started as a series of DJ mix albums or mixtapes on the Music Unites label in 1992, and moved from London to New York City in 2000. Journeys by DJ was the first record label to focus exclusively on the art and format of the DJ mix, as opposed to singles, 12" singles, artist albums and compilations. As acclaimed in the authoritative Last Night a DJ Saved My Life: The Story of the Disc Jockey, Journeys by DJ (JDJ) was the first label to release full-length mixes of live DJ sets on CD. Other labels since the 70s released recordings of DJs spinning live, along with DJ-friendly vinyl "megamixes", and the 80s saw innumerable illegal mix tapes flood the market, but Journeys by DJ was the first label to set its stall out on the proposition that dance music is best heard in the mix, with high production values, and that the DJ can transcend the role of human jukebox to become a narrative artist and guide into the unknown.

Leonard Carl Grant, better known by his stage name Uncle Murda, is an American rapper from East New York, Brooklyn. He signed to 50 Cent's G-Unit Records in 2016, having previously signed to Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records in 2007. He is known for his annual retrospective "Rap Up" song series, which lyrically documents major events in hip hop, beginning in 2014.

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

Run-DMC was an American hip hop group from Hollis, Queens New York City, formed in 1983 by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, and Jason Mizell. Run-DMC is regarded as one of the most influential acts in the history of hip hop culture and especially one of the most famous hip hop acts of the 1980s. Along with Beastie Boys, LL Cool J, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince, and Public Enemy, the group pioneered new-school hip hop music and helped usher in the golden age of hip hop. The group was among the first to highlight the importance of the MC and DJ relationship.

<i>Machine Soul: An Odyssey Into Electronic Dance Music</i> 2000 compilation album by Various Artists

Machine Soul: An Odyssey Into Electronic Dance Music is a compilation album released by Rhino Records on March 14, 2000. The album explores electronic dance music through various genres and received positive reviews from critics including AllMusic, Entertainment Weekly, and Uncut.

Doreen C. Broadnax, known professionally as Sparky D, or spelled Sparky Dee is an American hip–hop musician and rapper. Broadnax is noted as one of the first female battle rappers, first gaining attention through the Roxanne Wars; when she responded to Roxanne Shante's "Roxanne's Revenge" with "Sparky's Turn " in 1985.

<i>Jam on Revenge</i> 1984 studio album by Newcleus

Jam on Revenge is a studio album by the American group Newcleus. It was released in 1984 by Sunnyview Records. The group was formed originally as Positive Messengers following DJ shows in parks and blocks as Jam-On Productions. Positive Messengers' members were all Christian, which led to them creating songs with a message. Group member Ben “Cosmo D” Cenac attempted to bring some recordings made with Positive Messengers to music labels with little success. Following the lack of success, he was encouraged by a member of Jam On Productions to make a hip hop song, which led to the song "Jam-On's Revenge", a song Cenac described as an "anti-rap" song, as he felt hip hop music of the period was corny.

<i>The Sugar Hill Records Story</i> 1997 compilation album by Various Artists

The Sugar Hill Records Story is a 1997 compilation album compiling singles released by the Sugar Hill Records label. It was released by Rhino Records who had purchased the North American rights to the labels catalogue in 1995. On its release, it received positive reviews from Vibe, Spin and AllMusic.

References

  1. Kenner, Rob (March 3, 2010). "Robert Crafton III, Bassist and Rapper, Dies at 47". The New York Times . ISSN   0362-4331 . Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  2. Play, Long (November 9, 2015). "The Birth and Infancy of Hip Hop". Journeymen Rappers. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  3. Sorcinelli, Gino (December 7, 2016). "Snap!'s "Rhythm is a Dancer" Sampled the Synth in Newcleus' "Auto Man"".
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Bush, John. "Newcleus Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Newcleus Charts & Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  6. Pressing, Test. "Interview / Ben Cenac / Newcleus / Dream 2 Science / Push Pull". Test Pressing. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  7. Breihan, Tom (February 26, 2010). "Chilly B of Newcleus R.I.P." Pitchfork . Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  8. Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 393. ISBN   1-904994-10-5.
  9. "NEWCLEUS songs and albums - full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company . Retrieved May 12, 2024.