80's Rap & Hip-Hop

Do you recall when rap was actually fun and creative, rather than vulgar, violent and generic? If you do, then you were a child of the 80's.

Although for the most part rap in the 80's was an underground and blooming genre, some artists such as Run-D.M.C., L.L. Cool J and The Fat Boys did manage to hit the mainstream audiences and receive significant radio airplay. The pioneers of rap weren't about constantly flaunting their "bling bling" or spitting out hollow gangster tales; they were primarily concerned with displaying their microphone skills in a celebratory and fun manner. Sure, some artists would cover sociopolitical issues (i.e., Public Enemy), but such appeals were generally sincere and productive.

The above isn't to suggest that gangster rap as a whole is trash. The first mainstream gangster rappers like N.W.A. and Ice-T successfully introduced a new element into the genre, but alas their successes prompted hundreds of wannabe gangster rappers to flood the market and change the rap scene forever.

So it's time to step back to a time when the old school was actually pioneering… it's time to step back into the 80's rap world.

Band Spotlight - The Fat Boys

Due to their focus on lighthearted party tunes and fearlessness to poke fun at their own obesity the rotund trio known as The Fat Boys was dismissed by some rap fans as being a simple novelty act, but nothing could be more untrue. The Fat Boys may have cranked out innocent party tunes, but behind all the fun and their goofy demeanors lay serious talent and rapping ability.

The trio of Brooklyn heavyweights featuring Mark Morales (Prince Markie Dee), Damon Wimbley (Kool Rock-Ski) and Darren Robinson (Buff the Human Beat Box) originally joined together as the Disco 3, but they changed their name to The Fat Boys before releasing their debut self-titled album in 1984. Their initial album became a success thanks in large part to the comic feel provided by tracks such as Jail House Rap.

Their second release, The Fat Boys Are Back, came out just one year later and the album more than lived up to its title. They were indeed back, and they proved without a shadow of a doubt that they were not a one-album wonder novelty act. The trio showcased their skills with a variety of different-flavored tracks such as the rock influenced Rock-N-Roll and the reggae influenced Hard Core Reggae.

In 1986 The Fat Boys released Big & Beautiful, another album full of party-hearty songs. While they retained the skill exhibited on their previous two albums, it still came off as a bit lackluster to many rap fans. It's not that Big & Beautiful was a bad album by any means; it was just uninspired when compared to some of their other work.

The previous slump was quickly remedied in 1987 with the release of Crushin', the most successful album the trio ever released. Wipe Out, a collaboration with The Beach Boys, became a smash success and helped propel the album into the Top 10 pop charts. While Wipe Out was their most highly regarded pop-rap hit, the rest of the album was also thoroughly satisfying.

That same year the trio tried their skills at acting in the comedy Disorderlies, and while no one could think to expect a masterpiece the film did manage to provide some laughs.

Alas, the success of this rap band was not to last much longer. They did strike another successful rap single with Louie Louie, but 1988's Coming Back Hard Again saw the band falling into obscurity. It did manage to hit gold, but it was the last album to ever have any significance.

In 1991 the Fat Boys (sans a member) tried to change their comedic formula into a more serious tone in Mack Daddy, but the album failed to garner any attention. The magic they possessed throughout the 80's just wasn't there.

Sadly, Darren Robinson died of a heart attack in 1995, but not before making history as one of the 80's premiere rap artists.

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