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Jungle Brothers

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

The Jungle Brothers are an American hip hop group from New York. The core consists of Michael Small, known as Mike Gee, and Nathaniel Hall, who performs as Afrika Baby Bam. In the early years Sammy B was also part of the group. They belong to the Native Tongues collective, which also includes A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul. They are regarded as pioneers of the blending of jazz, hip hop and house.

Music and breakthrough

Their debut album Straight Out the Jungle was released in 1988 on the independent label Warlock Records and is regarded as one of the most important records of its time. To the reissue that year was added I'll House You, a club hit for which Can You Party? by Royal House, the alias of Todd Terry, supplied the beat. With that they were the first hip hop group to collaborate with a house DJ. They then signed to Warner Bros. and made Done by the Forces of Nature (1989), which also included What U Waitin' 4. In 1990 they contributed I Get a Kick to the Cole Porter tribute Red Hot + Blue. After a four-year break came J. Beez Wit the Remedy (1993). Later they worked with producers such as Alex Gifford on V.I.P. (1999) and tried big beat.

Influence

They showed that hip hop could be much more than one style. The group showed how easily hip hop and dance music flowed into one another.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to I'll House You by Jungle Brothers. Notice how the rap falls over a house beat, and how the beat pulls you into the club.

Discography

Studio albums

In School of Rock

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Categories: Artists