Jungle Brothers
Encyclopedia
The Jungle Brothers are an American hip hop group that pioneered the fusion of jazz
and hip-hop and also became the first hip-hop group to use a house-music
producer
. The group began performing in the mid-1980s and released its first album, Straight Out the Jungle
, in July 1988. With Afrocentric
lyrics and innovative beats, the Jungle Brothers were critically acclaimed and soon joined the influential Native Tongues
collective. The original trio comprised Michael Small (Mike Gee), Nathaniel Hall (Afrika Baby Bam
, a homage to Afrika Bambaataa
) and Sammy Burwell (DJ Sammy B). Sammy B left the group after the group released Raw Deluxe in May 1997.
, was released on an independent record label
(Warlock). The single "I'll House You," added to the album in 1989, is known for being the first hip-house record recorded outside of the Chicago scene, which was a club hit that drastically changed the way the hip-hop and dance-music industries worked. In spite of the commercial failure of Straight Out the Jungle, Warner Bros. Records
soon signed the group and released Done By the Forces of Nature
in January 1990. The album was a critical smash at the time, though it has since been largely ignored by hip-hop critics in favor of the similarly acclaimed alternative hip-hop album 3 Feet High and Rising
by De La Soul
, released the same year. Also in 1990, the Jungle Brothers contributed the song "I Get a Kick" to the Cole Porter
tribute album "Red Hot + Blue
" produced by the Red Hot Organization
. Following a four year break, the Jungle Brothers returned in 1993 with J Beez Wit the Remedy
, another commercial disappointment. Their next album, V.I.P. was produced by Alex Gifford of Propellerheads
and, during production, they found time to add their vocal stylings to the Propellerheads tracks "Take California (And Party)" and "You Want It Back". Their latest album to contain any new releases is 2002's All That We Do
.
In 2001, their song "What's the Five 0" was featured in the music video game
FreQuency
.
In 2004, the Jungle Brothers joined with British producer Mr On to produce "Breathe (Don't Stop)
", a version of "Breathe and Stop" by Q-Tip
of A Tribe Called Quest
, combined with a sample of Michael Jackson
's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
" (the idea was taken from a bootleg remix combining vocals from "Breathe and Stop" and music from "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
").
In 2005, the Jungle Brothers released a greatest hits
and classic remixes and rarities double album
, This Is...
, which included remixes by The Wiseguys
, Urban Takeover
, Natural Born Chillers and Stereo MCs
.
Presently, their status as a group is in question, as Mike G and Sammy B are touring (Sammy B also toured as fellow Native Tongues member Black Sheep Dres' DJ), and Afrika Baby Bam
now goes by B.A.M. and has a new movement called Pagan Society. In an interview with AllHipHop.com, B.A.M. expressed his discontent with today's rap music industry. B.A.M. also stated his disappointment in Pos (De La Soul) and Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest) in a Vibe magazine article, saying that they are the reason that a full-fledged Native Tongue reunion has not transpired.
In 2008, their single "What U Waitin 4" was ranked number 88 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Jazz
Jazz is a musical style that originated at the beginning of the 20th century in African American communities in the Southern United States. It was born out of a mix of African and European music traditions. From its early development until the present, jazz has incorporated music from 19th and 20th...
and hip-hop and also became the first hip-hop group to use a house-music
House music
House music is a genre of electronic dance music that originated in Chicago, Illinois, United States in the early 1980s. It was initially popularized in mid-1980s discothèques catering to the African-American, Latino American, and gay communities; first in Chicago circa 1984, then in other...
producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
. The group began performing in the mid-1980s and released its first album, Straight Out the Jungle
Straight Out the Jungle
Straight out the Jungle is the debut album from hip hop group Jungle Brothers. The album marked the beginning of the Native Tongues collective, later featuring popular artists like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Black Sheep....
, in July 1988. With Afrocentric
Afrocentrism
Afrocentrism is cultural ideology mostly limited to the United States, dedicated to the history of Black people a response to global racist attitudes about African people and their historical contributions by revisiting this history with an African cultural and ideological center...
lyrics and innovative beats, the Jungle Brothers were critically acclaimed and soon joined the influential Native Tongues
Native tongues
Native Tongues is a book by the linguist Charles Berlitz.It is a list of words in different languages, etymology and questions with speculations far and wide about words....
collective. The original trio comprised Michael Small (Mike Gee), Nathaniel Hall (Afrika Baby Bam
Afrika Baby Bam
Nathaniel Hall better known by his stage name Afrika Baby Bam, is an American hip hop artist, born in Brooklyn, New York, and was part of the hip-hop group the Jungle Brothers. He was named in honor of Afrika Bambaataa. Afrika Baby Bam is known to constantly reinvent himself as an artist both...
, a homage to Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa
Afrika Bambaataa is an American DJ from the South Bronx, New York who was instrumental in the early development of hip hop throughout the 1980s. Afrika Bambaataa is one of the three originators of break-beat deejaying, and is respectfully known as the "Grandfather" and the Amen Ra of Universal...
) and Sammy Burwell (DJ Sammy B). Sammy B left the group after the group released Raw Deluxe in May 1997.
History
Their first album, Straight Out the JungleStraight Out the Jungle
Straight out the Jungle is the debut album from hip hop group Jungle Brothers. The album marked the beginning of the Native Tongues collective, later featuring popular artists like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Black Sheep....
, was released on an independent record label
Independent record label
An independent record label is a record label operating without the funding of or outside the organizations of the major record labels. A great number of bands and musical acts begin on independent labels.-Overview:...
(Warlock). The single "I'll House You," added to the album in 1989, is known for being the first hip-house record recorded outside of the Chicago scene, which was a club hit that drastically changed the way the hip-hop and dance-music industries worked. In spite of the commercial failure of Straight Out the Jungle, Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
soon signed the group and released Done By the Forces of Nature
Done by the Forces of Nature
Done by the Forces of Nature is the second studio album by American hip hop group Jungle Brothers, released November 9, 1989 on Warner Bros. Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in 1989 at Calliope Studios in New York City, and production was handled by the Jungle Brothers. It was...
in January 1990. The album was a critical smash at the time, though it has since been largely ignored by hip-hop critics in favor of the similarly acclaimed alternative hip-hop album 3 Feet High and Rising
3 Feet High and Rising
3 Feet High and Rising is the debut album from American hip hop trio De La Soul, released in 1989.The album marked the first of three full-length collaborations with producer Prince Paul, which would become the critical and commercial peak of both parties. It is consistently placed on 'greatest...
by De La Soul
De La Soul
De La Soul is an American hip hop trio formed in 1987 on Long Island, New York. The band is best known for their eclectic sampling, quirky lyrics, and their contributions to the evolution of the jazz rap and alternative hip hop subgenres...
, released the same year. Also in 1990, the Jungle Brothers contributed the song "I Get a Kick" to the Cole Porter
Cole Porter
Cole Albert Porter was an American composer and songwriter. Born to a wealthy family in Indiana, he defied the wishes of his domineering grandfather and took up music as a profession. Classically trained, he was drawn towards musical theatre...
tribute album "Red Hot + Blue
Red Hot + Blue
Red Hot + Blue is the first in the series of compilation albums from the Red Hot Organization. The recording was the first in the Red Hot Benefit Series...
" produced by the Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization
Red Hot Organization is a not-for-profit, 501 3, international organization dedicated to fighting AIDS through pop culture.Since its inception in 1989, over 400 artists, producers and directors have contributed to over 15 compilation albums, related television programs and media events to raise...
. Following a four year break, the Jungle Brothers returned in 1993 with J Beez Wit the Remedy
J Beez Wit the Remedy
J. Beez Wit the Remedy is the third album by the Jungle Brothers, released during June 1993 on Warner Bros. Records. The album was the result of much label trouble, where Warner Bros. constantly rejected the group's offerings...
, another commercial disappointment. Their next album, V.I.P. was produced by Alex Gifford of Propellerheads
Propellerheads
Propellerheads were a British big beat musical ensemble, formed in 1995 and made up of electronic producers Will White and Alex Gifford. The term propellerhead is slang for a nerd, and when Gifford and White heard a friend from California use this in a conversation, they thought it the perfect name...
and, during production, they found time to add their vocal stylings to the Propellerheads tracks "Take California (And Party)" and "You Want It Back". Their latest album to contain any new releases is 2002's All That We Do
All That We Do
All That We Do is the sixth studio album by hip hop group Jungle Brothers. It was released in 2002.-Track listing:#“Booty Trap”#“Candy”#“Let Me”#“You In My Hut Now”#“All That We Do” #“All That We Do”#“Love & Hate”#“Something About Cha”...
.
In 2001, their song "What's the Five 0" was featured in the music video game
Music video game
A music video game, also commonly known as a music game, is a video game where the gameplay is meaningfully and often almost entirely oriented around the player's interactions with a musical score or individual songs...
FreQuency
FreQuency
Frequency is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems and published by SCEI. It is the first major release from Harmonix. It was released in November 2001. A sequel titled Amplitude was released in 2003.-Gameplay:...
.
In 2004, the Jungle Brothers joined with British producer Mr On to produce "Breathe (Don't Stop)
Breathe (Don't Stop)
"Breathe " is a song released by Mr. On and the Jungle Brothers, from the Jungle brother's album You in My Hut Now. The song was not commercially successful, reaching #33 on the Australian ARIA singles chart, and #30 on the New Zealand RIANZ singles chart...
", a version of "Breathe and Stop" by Q-Tip
Q-Tip (rapper)
Kamaal Ibn John Fareed , better known by his stage name Q-Tip, is an American hip hop artist, producer, singer, and actor from St. Albans, Queens, New York, part of the critically acclaimed group A Tribe Called Quest...
of A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest
A Tribe Called Quest is an American hip hop group, formed in 1985, and is composed of rapper/producer Q-Tip , rapper Phife Dawg , and DJ/producer Ali Shaheed Muhammad. A fourth member, rapper Jarobi White, left the group after their first album but rejoined in 2006...
, combined with a sample of Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
's "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" is a single by American recording artist Michael Jackson. Released under Epic Records on July 28, 1979, the song is the first single from Jackson's fifth studio album, entitled Off the Wall. Written by Jackson, it is in the key of B major and in common time...
" (the idea was taken from a bootleg remix combining vocals from "Breathe and Stop" and music from "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
"Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough" is a single by American recording artist Michael Jackson. Released under Epic Records on July 28, 1979, the song is the first single from Jackson's fifth studio album, entitled Off the Wall. Written by Jackson, it is in the key of B major and in common time...
").
In 2005, the Jungle Brothers released a greatest hits
Greatest hits
A greatest hits album is a music compilation album of successful, previously released songs by a particular artist or band...
and classic remixes and rarities double album
Double album
A double album is an audio album which spans two units of the primary medium in which it is sold, typically records and compact discs....
, This Is...
This is...
This is... is a series of children's travel books written and illustrated by Czech author Miroslav Sasek between 1959 and 1974.Sasek originally intended to write three books: This is Paris, This is London, and This is Rome...
, which included remixes by The Wiseguys
The Wiseguys
The Wiseguys was a British electronica and hip hop band that was responsible for creating the song "Start the Commotion" that was in a Mitsubishi TV advertisement, as well as the films Lizzie McGuire, Zoolander and Kangaroo Jack; and "Ooh La La", which was used in Budweiser commercials...
, Urban Takeover
Urban Takeover
Urban Takeover is a drum and bass record label founded by DJs and recording artists Micky Finn and Aphrodite. The label is often associated with the Hip-Hop-influenced Jump-Up style of drum and bass which was popular in the mid 1990s...
, Natural Born Chillers and Stereo MCs
Stereo MCs
Stereo MCs are an English electronic dance group, which formed in Clapham, London in 1985. They are best known worldwide for their 1992 transatlantic Top 20 hit single, "Connected"...
.
Presently, their status as a group is in question, as Mike G and Sammy B are touring (Sammy B also toured as fellow Native Tongues member Black Sheep Dres' DJ), and Afrika Baby Bam
Afrika Baby Bam
Nathaniel Hall better known by his stage name Afrika Baby Bam, is an American hip hop artist, born in Brooklyn, New York, and was part of the hip-hop group the Jungle Brothers. He was named in honor of Afrika Bambaataa. Afrika Baby Bam is known to constantly reinvent himself as an artist both...
now goes by B.A.M. and has a new movement called Pagan Society. In an interview with AllHipHop.com, B.A.M. expressed his discontent with today's rap music industry. B.A.M. also stated his disappointment in Pos (De La Soul) and Q-Tip (A Tribe Called Quest) in a Vibe magazine article, saying that they are the reason that a full-fledged Native Tongue reunion has not transpired.
In 2008, their single "What U Waitin 4" was ranked number 88 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
Discography
- Straight out the JungleStraight Out the JungleStraight out the Jungle is the debut album from hip hop group Jungle Brothers. The album marked the beginning of the Native Tongues collective, later featuring popular artists like De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and Black Sheep....
(1988), Warlock - Done by the Forces of NatureDone by the Forces of NatureDone by the Forces of Nature is the second studio album by American hip hop group Jungle Brothers, released November 9, 1989 on Warner Bros. Records. Recording sessions for the album took place in 1989 at Calliope Studios in New York City, and production was handled by the Jungle Brothers. It was...
(1989), Warner Bros.Warner Bros. RecordsWarner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies... - J Beez Wit the RemedyJ Beez Wit the RemedyJ. Beez Wit the Remedy is the third album by the Jungle Brothers, released during June 1993 on Warner Bros. Records. The album was the result of much label trouble, where Warner Bros. constantly rejected the group's offerings...
(1993), Warner Bros. - Raw DeluxeRaw Deluxe (album)Raw Deluxe is the fourth album by the Jungle Brothers, released on June 3, 1997 , on Gee Street Records. The group signed a new contract with the label when it was dropped by its previous label because of the extremely poor performance of its last two albums...
(1997), Gee StreetGee Street RecordsGee Street Records was a British hip hop record label started by Jon Baker in 1985. The label's name came from its original location, a converted warehouse on Gee Street in London....
/V2V2 RecordsV2 Records is a record label that is owned by Universal Music Group as of October 2007. The label was founded in 1996 by Richard Branson, five years after he sold Virgin Records to EMI....
/BMG Records - V.I.P.V.I.P. (album)V.I.P. is the fifth studio album by hip hop group Jungle Brothers, released in 2000.-Track listing:#"V.I.P."#"I Remember"#"Get Down"#"Early Morning"#"Down with the Jbeez" #"The Brothers"#"Party Goin' On"#"Sexy Body"...
(2000), Gee Street/V2/BMG Records - All That We DoAll That We DoAll That We Do is the sixth studio album by hip hop group Jungle Brothers. It was released in 2002.-Track listing:#“Booty Trap”#“Candy”#“Let Me”#“You In My Hut Now”#“All That We Do” #“All That We Do”#“Love & Hate”#“Something About Cha”...
(2002), Jungle Brothers - You in My Hut Now (2003), XYZXYZ RecordsXYZ Records was a record label founded by Frank Slay and Bob Crewe, mainly as an outlet for their own songs. The label opened in 1957 and was sporadically active till about 1960. Their only success was with The Rays "Silhouettes" that was taken over for national distribution by Cameo Records in...
- This is... (Greatest hits) (2005), Nurture Records/GrooveGroove RecordsGroove Records was founded by Billboard reporter Bob Rolontz in 1953 as a rhythm and blues label. The label tried hard to break into the R&B market. Piano Red was its first hit but Mickey and Sylvia was its first big seller. The label also recorded King Curtis, Arthur Crudup, Brook Benton and...
- I Got You (2006), Pinoeer Records