Technotronic
Encyclopedia
Technotronic is a Belgian
studio-based music project formed in 1988 by Jo Bogaert (born 1954, Aalst
, Belgium), who had already made his musical mark in the beginning of the 1980s as a part of a cover band and as a solo artist under various New Beat
projects, including The Acts of Madmen and Nux Nemo. Together with the vocalist Ya Kid K
, he produced the hit single
, "Pump Up the Jam
", which was originally an instrumental
. An image for the act was later put together, utilizing Congolese
-born fashion model Felly Kilingi as its album/single cover art, and supposed singer in the music video
.
The song became a worldwide success, eventually reaching #2 in both the US
Billboard Hot 100
and the UK Singles Chart
in late 1989/early 1990, becoming the first house song to break through to the pop mainstream. It not only introduced a new sound based on "New Beat", a dance genre developed around the Belgian music scene, but it was also one of the first songs to pioneer the short-lived hip-house
genre, a fusion of house and elements of hip-hop.
, Pump Up the Jam: The Album
, which featured tracks by Ya Kid K and MC Eric
. They also became an opening act for Madonna
and had appearances on Saturday Night Live
, The Arsenio Hall Show
and It's Showtime at the Apollo. It was at this time that Ya Kid K became Technotronic's vocalist, after it was revealed that Felly was merely lip-synching the vocals of "Pump Up The Jam".
Three follow-up singles, "Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)", a #7 hit in the US and a #2 hit in the UK; "This Beat Is Technotronic" (US Dance #3, UK #14); and "Move This" (UK #12), also reached the Top 10 in many countries, and the album eventually climbed into the Top 10 of the Billboard 200
in the US and reached #2 in the UK Albums Chart
.
In 1990, Kamosi contributed vocals on the single "Spin That Wheel
", as part of Technotronic's "side project" Hi-Tek 3, for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
soundtrack
.
A megamix was released compiling many of Technotronic's previous hits. Released as a single, it peaked at #6 in the UK, and #1 on the Eurochart Hot 100.
In 1992, the song "Move This" (also featuring Kamosi) from the album became popular through its use in a Revlon
television commercial, and became their third Top 10 hit in the United States, peaking at #6. With renewed interest in the album, it was repackaged in 1992 with the same track listing, but this time it featured Ya Kid K on the cover.
Technotronic has sold approximately 14 million albums and singles worldwide.
.
In 2010 MC Eric gave one of few interviews after a DJ set at Vert Pop. The interview for F**k You! Brussels magazine attracted much attention in the Belgium Capital for its unconventional and hilarious questions;
"FUB:Who the f**k are you? - ERIC: Who the f**k am I? Who the f**k are you? - FUB: We're F**k You! Brussels."
"FUB: What was your worst sexual experience? - ERIC: My worst sexual experience? Wauwww. Probably, I slept with this girl that I shouldn't have, and when I pulled out, the condom looked like a wedding ring. It was f***ing broken."
Technotronic tracks are featured on the soundtrack
of the following film
s:
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
studio-based music project formed in 1988 by Jo Bogaert (born 1954, Aalst
Aalst
Aalst can refer to:Place names* Aalst, Belgium, a city and municipality in Belgium* Aalst, Buren, a village in the Netherlands, in the province of Gelderland* Aalst, North Brabant, a village in the Netherlands, in the province of North-Brabant...
, Belgium), who had already made his musical mark in the beginning of the 1980s as a part of a cover band and as a solo artist under various New Beat
New Beat
New Beat is a term that was used in the 1980s to refer to two different genres of electronic dance music. It also refers to an underground 1980s Belgian music style.- Terminology :...
projects, including The Acts of Madmen and Nux Nemo. Together with the vocalist Ya Kid K
Ya Kid K
Ya Kid K. is a Congolese-Belgian hip hop artist. Her sister, Karoline 'Leki' Kamosi, is an R&B singer.-Biography:...
, he produced the hit single
Hit single
A hit single is a recorded song or instrumental released as a single that has become very popular. Although it is sometimes used to describe any widely-played or big-selling song, the term "hit" is usually reserved for a single that has appeared in an official music chart through repeated radio...
, "Pump Up the Jam
Pump Up the Jam
"Pump Up the Jam" is the opening track on Technotronic's album Pump Up the Jam: The Album. The song was a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the United Kingdom in 1989. The song was also a landmark release for the Belgian EBM – and New Beat – influenced house music. It was able to tackle the...
", which was originally an instrumental
Instrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
. An image for the act was later put together, utilizing Congolese
Zaire
The Republic of Zaire was the name of the present Democratic Republic of the Congo between 27 October 1971 and 17 May 1997. The name of Zaire derives from the , itself an adaptation of the Kongo word nzere or nzadi, or "the river that swallows all rivers".-Self-proclaimed Father of the Nation:In...
-born fashion model Felly Kilingi as its album/single cover art, and supposed singer in the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
.
"Pump Up The Jam"
The track that became "Pump Up The Jam" began life as "Technotronic" (which in turn became the project's official name), an original instrumental Bogaert released under the name The Pro 24s. Based on Farley Jackmaster Funk's "The Acid Life", this instrumental initially included vocal samples from Eddie Murphy's "Delirious" live set and was months later replaced by newer music, along with lyrics and vocals from Ya Kid K. prior to the song's international release in September 1989.The song became a worldwide success, eventually reaching #2 in both the US
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
and the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in late 1989/early 1990, becoming the first house song to break through to the pop mainstream. It not only introduced a new sound based on "New Beat", a dance genre developed around the Belgian music scene, but it was also one of the first songs to pioneer the short-lived hip-house
Hip house
Hip house, also known as house rap, is a musical genre that mixes elements of house music and hip-hop. The style rose to prominence during the 1980s in New York and Chicago...
genre, a fusion of house and elements of hip-hop.
Further career
The success of the project's first single led to the release of the albumAlbum
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
, Pump Up the Jam: The Album
Pump Up the Jam: The Album
Pump Up the Jam: The Album is Technotronic's first album on a major label. It was released on November 28, 1989. When it was discovered that model Felly lip-synched to vocals actually performed by Belgian hip-house emcee Ya Kid K, the artwork was changed....
, which featured tracks by Ya Kid K and MC Eric
Me One
Me One is a singer, song-writer and music producer from Wales, known as MC Eric in his days partnering Ya Kid K in Eurodance band Technotronic and as Me One for his solo recording projects. His debut album as Me One, As Far as I'm Concerned, was released in May 2000 on Universal-Island U.K...
. They also became an opening act for Madonna
Madonna (entertainer)
Madonna is an American singer-songwriter, actress and entrepreneur. Born in Bay City, Michigan, she moved to New York City in 1977 to pursue a career in modern dance. After performing in the music groups Breakfast Club and Emmy, she released her debut album in 1983...
and had appearances on Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live
Saturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
, The Arsenio Hall Show
The Arsenio Hall Show
The Arsenio Hall Show is an American variety/talk show that aired late weeknights in syndication from January 3, 1989 to May 27, 1994. The show was created and hosted by comedian/actor Arsenio Hall.- Background :...
and It's Showtime at the Apollo. It was at this time that Ya Kid K became Technotronic's vocalist, after it was revealed that Felly was merely lip-synching the vocals of "Pump Up The Jam".
Three follow-up singles, "Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)", a #7 hit in the US and a #2 hit in the UK; "This Beat Is Technotronic" (US Dance #3, UK #14); and "Move This" (UK #12), also reached the Top 10 in many countries, and the album eventually climbed into the Top 10 of the Billboard 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
in the US and reached #2 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
.
In 1990, Kamosi contributed vocals on the single "Spin That Wheel
Spin That Wheel
"Spin That Wheel" is a song by Technotronic released under the name "Hi Tek 3 featuring Ya Kid K" in 1990. Hi Tek 3 are listed as Kovali, El Sati and Yosef.- Releases :...
", as part of Technotronic's "side project" Hi-Tek 3, for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (film)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a 1990 American live-action film adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise directed by Steve Barron. The film was followed by three sequels: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze in 1991, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III in 1993, and...
soundtrack
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack is the licened soundtrack to the 1990 New Line Cinema film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. It was released by SBK Records on March 16, 1990....
.
A megamix was released compiling many of Technotronic's previous hits. Released as a single, it peaked at #6 in the UK, and #1 on the Eurochart Hot 100.
In 1992, the song "Move This" (also featuring Kamosi) from the album became popular through its use in a Revlon
Revlon
Revlon is an American cosmetics, skin care, fragrance, and personal care company founded in 1932.-History:Revlon was founded in the midst of the Great Depression, 1932, by Charles Revson and his brother Joseph, along with a chemist, Charles Lachman, who contributed the "L" in the Revlon name...
television commercial, and became their third Top 10 hit in the United States, peaking at #6. With renewed interest in the album, it was repackaged in 1992 with the same track listing, but this time it featured Ya Kid K on the cover.
Technotronic has sold approximately 14 million albums and singles worldwide.
20th anniversary (1989–2009)
MC Eric and Ya Kid K. reunited and have toured parts of Europe, South America and Australia, as a part of commemorating Technotronic's 20th anniversary, performing their classic hits as well as new material. MC Eric also tours as a DJDisc jockey
A disc jockey, also known as DJ, is a person who selects and plays recorded music for an audience. Originally, "disc" referred to phonograph records, not the later Compact Discs. Today, the term includes all forms of music playback, no matter the medium.There are several types of disc jockeys...
.
In 2010 MC Eric gave one of few interviews after a DJ set at Vert Pop. The interview for F**k You! Brussels magazine attracted much attention in the Belgium Capital for its unconventional and hilarious questions;
"FUB:Who the f**k are you? - ERIC: Who the f**k am I? Who the f**k are you? - FUB: We're F**k You! Brussels."
"FUB: What was your worst sexual experience? - ERIC: My worst sexual experience? Wauwww. Probably, I slept with this girl that I shouldn't have, and when I pulled out, the condom looked like a wedding ring. It was f***ing broken."
Albums
- 1989 Pump Up the Jam: The AlbumPump Up the Jam: The AlbumPump Up the Jam: The Album is Technotronic's first album on a major label. It was released on November 28, 1989. When it was discovered that model Felly lip-synched to vocals actually performed by Belgian hip-house emcee Ya Kid K, the artwork was changed....
- #2 UKUK Albums ChartThe UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
; #3 Austria; #4 Switzerland; #10 US - 1990 Trip On This - the Remixes - #7 UK
- 1991 Body To Body - #27 UK
- 1993 Greatest Hits
- 1995 Recall
Singles
- 1988 "Technotronic" (as The Pro 24s) ("Pump Up The Jam" original instrumental version)
- 1989 "Pump Up The JamPump Up the Jam"Pump Up the Jam" is the opening track on Technotronic's album Pump Up the Jam: The Album. The song was a worldwide hit, reaching number two in the United Kingdom in 1989. The song was also a landmark release for the Belgian EBM – and New Beat – influenced house music. It was able to tackle the...
" (as Technotronic featuring Felly) (UK #2, Ger #2, Ned #2, US Hot 100 #2, Dance/Club Play #1) - 1990 "Get Up ! (Before the Night Is Over)Get Up ! (Before the Night Is Over)"Get up ! " is a 1989 song recorded by Belgian dance-pop and electronica act Technotronic, featuring Ya Kid K. It was the second single from band's debut album Pump Up the Jam: The Album on which it features as second track, and was released in 1990...
" (as Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K) (UK #2, Ger #2, Netherl #2, Ireland #2, Hot 100 #7, Dance/Club Play #2) - 1990 "This Beat Is TechnotronicThis Beat Is Technotronic"This Beat Is Technotronic" is the third single from dance group Technotronic's 1989 debut album. This single found its greatest success on the Billboard Hot Dance Music/Club Play chart in the U.S., where it hit #3. It also peaked at #14 in the United Kingdom...
" (as Technotronic featuring MC Eric) (Ireland #5, Ger #10, Ned #7, UK #14, Dance/Club Play #3) - 1990 "Spin That WheelSpin That Wheel"Spin That Wheel" is a song by Technotronic released under the name "Hi Tek 3 featuring Ya Kid K" in 1990. Hi Tek 3 are listed as Kovali, El Sati and Yosef.- Releases :...
" (as Hi-Tek 3 featuring Ya Kid K) (Feb: UK #69; September re-release: UK #15) - 1990 "Rockin' Over the BeatRockin' Over the Beat"Rockin' Over the Beat" is a song by dance act Technotronic. It first appeared on their debut album Pump Up the Jam in 1989 and was released as a single the following year. It is accredited to "Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K", who co-wrote the track with Jo Bogaert .The song is an upbeat house...
" (UK #9, Ger #18, Ireland #11, US Hot 100 #95) - 1990 "Megamix" By The Unity Mixers (Patrick Samoy & Luc Rigaux) (#1 Europe, #6 UK, Ger #9, Ned #26)
- 1990 "Turn It Up" (as Technotronic featuring Melissa and Einstein) (Ireland #26, UK #42, B #21)
- 1991 "Move That BodyMove That Body"Move That Body" is a 1990 song by dance act Technotronic. It was one of the singles from the band's third album Body to Body and was released in 1991. Vocals are performed by Réjane Magloire credited as Reggie. It achieved some success throughout Europe, particularly in Ireland and Switzerland...
" (as Technotronic featuring ReggieRéjane MagloireRéjane "Reggie" Magloire is a singer, model, and actress.Magloire was born in Zaire but grew up in New York. She studied Western classical music with heavy emphasis on opera singing...
) (Ireland #3, Ger #19, Ned #32, UK #12, CH #10) - 1991 "Work" (as Technotronic featuring Reggie) (Ireland #12, UK #40, CH #24)
- 1991 "Money Makes The World Go Round" (as Technotronic featuring Reggie)
- 1991 "Voices" (promotion-only release)
- 1992 "Move ThisMove ThisMove This is a 1992 hit by Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K, reaching #6 on the pop charts. It was Ya Kid K's first single ever released. This song also appears on Technotronic's debut album Pump Up the Jam: The Album, which was released in 1989...
(Shake That Body)" (as Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K) (US Hot 100 #6) - 1993 "Hey Yoh, Here We Go" (as Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K)
- 1994 "One + One"
- 1994 "Move It To The Rhythm" (as Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K) (US Hot 100 #83, US Dance/Club Play #3)
- 1995 "Recall" (as Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K)
- 1995 "I Want You By My Side" (#31 B)
- 1996 "Pump Up The Jam - The '96 Sequel" (UK #36)
- 1996 "Crazy"
- 1998 "Get Up — The '98 Sequel" (Ger #91)
- 1998 "Pump Up The Jam" (as D.O.N.S. featuring Technotronic) (Ger #25)
- 1999 "Like This" (as Technotronic featuring Monday Midnite)
- 2000 "The G. Train" (as Technotronic featuring Monday Midnite)
- 2000 "The Mariachi" (as Technotronic featuring Ya Kid K) (#1 Mex)
- 2001 "Runaway Blues"
- 2002 "The Circle Unbroken"
- 2005 "Pump Up The Jam 2005" (as D.O.N.S. featuring Technotronic) (Finland #11; UK #22; Ireland #25)
- 2011 "Pump Up The Jam" Rudyem feat SEN (Urban Electro) (France #11; UK #22)
Technotronic tracks are featured on the soundtrack
Soundtrack
A soundtrack can be recorded music accompanying and synchronized to the images of a motion picture, book, television program or video game; a commercially released soundtrack album of music as featured in the soundtrack of a film or TV show; or the physical area of a film that contains the...
of the following film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
s:
- 1990 3 Men and a Little Lady3 Men and a Little LadyThree Men and a Little Lady is a 1990 American comedy film, and a sequel to Three Men and a Baby . Tom Selleck, Steve Guttenberg and Ted Danson reprise the leading roles.-Plot:...
– "Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)" - 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesTeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (film)Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is a 1990 American live-action film adaptation of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise directed by Steve Barron. The film was followed by three sequels: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze in 1991, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III in 1993, and...
– "Spin That Wheel" (as Hi-Tek 3 featuring Ya Kid K) - 1990 Men at WorkMen at Work (film)Men at Work is a 1990 American action comedy film written and directed by Emilio Estevez, and starring Estevez and his real life brother Charlie Sheen.-Plot:...
– "Pump Up The Jam" - 1990 Repossessed – "Pump Up The Jam"
- 1993 The Meteor ManThe Meteor Man (film)The Meteor Man is a 1993 superhero film written, directed, and starring Robert Townsend, and featuring an ensemble cast. Townsend stars as a mild-mannered schoolteacher, who becomes a superhero after his neighborhood in Washington, D.C. is terrorized by street gangs.Although the film is set in...
– "Move This" - 1993 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IIITeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IIITeenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III is a 1993 American live-action film, the second sequel of the 1990 live-action Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film. It was produced by Clearwater Holdings Ltd. and Golden Harvest. This was the last Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film released by New Line Cinema and...
– "Rockin' Over The Beat" - 1996 Space JamSpace JamAside from Jordan, a number of NBA players and coaches appeared in the film. Larry Bird portrays a friend of Jordan who joins him for a game of golf. When the Monstars steal the NBA players' talent, they invade a game between the Phoenix Suns and the New York Knicks, causing the Knicks' Patrick...
– "Pump Up The Jam (Instrumental)" - 2006 Let's Go To PrisonLet's Go to PrisonLet's Go to Prison is an American comedy that was released in theatres November 17, 2006, starring Dax Shepard, Will Arnett and Chi McBride, and directed by Bob Odenkirk....
– "Move This (Shake That Body)" - 2008 You Don't Mess With The ZohanYou Don't Mess with the ZohanYou Don't Mess with the Zohan is a 2008 American comedy film directed by Dennis Dugan, written by Carlito Cabardo, and produced by and starring Adam Sandler. This is the fourth film which has starred Sandler and has been directed by Dugan...
– "Pump Up The Jam"
See also
- List of number-one dance hits (United States)
- List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart