UTFO
Encyclopedia
UTFO is an old school hip-hop group, popular in the 1980s, that was mentored by the contemporary R&B
group Full Force
. The group consists of the Kangol Kid
(Shiller Shaun Fequiere), the Educated Rapper
(Jeffrey Campbell) (also known as EMD), Doctor Ice
(Fred Reeves), and Mix Master Ice (Maurice Bailey). The group's best-known single is "Roxanne, Roxanne," a widely-acclaimed and hip-hop classic, which created a sensation on the hip-hop scene soon after it was released and inspired numerous answer records
, most notably by Marley Marl
's protégée Roxanne Shanté
. "Roxanne, Roxanne" was originally the B-side of the lesser-known single "Hangin' Out." Because of personal issues, the Educated Rapper was absent for its second effort, Skeezer Pleezer
(1986), which produced one notable track with the song "Split Personality." In 2008, “Roxanne, Roxanne” was ranked number 84 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
and Doctor Ice
met as dancers for Whodini
(Ice is Jalil's younger brother) prior to the formation of UTFO in 1983 in Brooklyn
, New York. In 1984, the group signed with Fred Munao's Select Records, and, in the same year, it released its hit single "Roxanne Roxanne." The group's debut album was produced by R&B group Full Force
. According to VH1
, the group is still active today.
.
Contemporary R&B
Contemporary R&B is a music genre that combines elements of hip hop, soul, R&B and funk.Although the abbreviation “R&B” originates from traditional rhythm and blues music, today the term R&B is most often used to describe a style of African American music originating after the demise of disco in...
group Full Force
Full Force
Full Force is a group of R&B performers and producers from Brooklyn, New York, USA, calling itself the original hip hop vocal band.-Members:*B-Fine - drums and drum programming*Shy Shy - bass guitar...
. The group consists of the Kangol Kid
Kangol Kid
Shaun Shiller Fequiere, known by his stage name, Kangol Kid, or, alternatively, The Kangol Kid, is a Haitian-American hip hop producer, songwriter, break dancer, and emcee...
(Shiller Shaun Fequiere), the Educated Rapper
Educated Rapper
Educated Rapper was a rapper and cofounder of the hip-hop group UTFO, most famous for their song "Roxanne, Roxanne". Educated Rapper originally matriculated from City College of New York before UTFO signed their first record deal with Select Records...
(Jeffrey Campbell) (also known as EMD), Doctor Ice
Doctor Ice
Doctor Ice is a rapper in the hip-hop world. He was with the group UTFO, most famous for its song "Roxanne, Roxanne" released as a single in 1984, before the self-titled debut album in 1985. The group recorded 4 albums together that did well, charting some number-one singles, as well as the...
(Fred Reeves), and Mix Master Ice (Maurice Bailey). The group's best-known single is "Roxanne, Roxanne," a widely-acclaimed and hip-hop classic, which created a sensation on the hip-hop scene soon after it was released and inspired numerous answer records
Answer song
An answer song is, as the name suggests, a song made in answer to a previous song, normally by another artist. It is also known as a response song. The concept became widespread in blues and R&B recorded music in the 1930s through 1950s...
, most notably by Marley Marl
Marley Marl
Marlon Williams , better known as Marley Marl, is an American DJ and record producer, who is considered one of the most important and influential hip-hop producers in the history of hip hop.-Biography:...
's protégée Roxanne Shanté
Roxanne Shanté
Roxanne Shanté is an American hip-hop pioneer. Born and raised in the Queensbridge Projects, Shanté first gained attention through the Roxanne Wars and her association with the Juice Crew....
. "Roxanne, Roxanne" was originally the B-side of the lesser-known single "Hangin' Out." Because of personal issues, the Educated Rapper was absent for its second effort, Skeezer Pleezer
Skeezer Pleezer
Skeezer Pleezer was the second album by UTFO, released in 1986 on Select Records. The most notable song was "Split Personality," a paean to dissociative identity disorder.-Track listing:#"Just Watch"#"Where Did You Go?"#"We Work Hard"#"Kangol & Doc"...
(1986), which produced one notable track with the song "Split Personality." In 2008, “Roxanne, Roxanne” was ranked number 84 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.
History
Kangol KidKangol Kid
Shaun Shiller Fequiere, known by his stage name, Kangol Kid, or, alternatively, The Kangol Kid, is a Haitian-American hip hop producer, songwriter, break dancer, and emcee...
and Doctor Ice
Doctor Ice
Doctor Ice is a rapper in the hip-hop world. He was with the group UTFO, most famous for its song "Roxanne, Roxanne" released as a single in 1984, before the self-titled debut album in 1985. The group recorded 4 albums together that did well, charting some number-one singles, as well as the...
met as dancers for Whodini
Whodini
Whodini is a hip hop group that was formed in 1981. The Brooklyn, New York-based trio consisted of vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins; co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy ; and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee.-Early years:Whodini was among the first hip-hop groups to...
(Ice is Jalil's younger brother) prior to the formation of UTFO in 1983 in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, New York. In 1984, the group signed with Fred Munao's Select Records, and, in the same year, it released its hit single "Roxanne Roxanne." The group's debut album was produced by R&B group Full Force
Full Force
Full Force is a group of R&B performers and producers from Brooklyn, New York, USA, calling itself the original hip hop vocal band.-Members:*B-Fine - drums and drum programming*Shy Shy - bass guitar...
. According to VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
, the group is still active today.
Break dancing
The members of UTFO were the first break dancers to appear on The Phil Donahue ShowThe Phil Donahue Show
The Phil Donahue Show, also known as Donahue, is an American television talk show that ran for 26 years on national television. Its run was preceded by three years of local broadcast in Dayton, Ohio, and it was broadcast nationwide between 1967 and 1996.In 2002, Donahue was ranked #29 on TV Guide's...
.
Albums
- UTFOUTFO (album)- External links :* at Discogs....
(1985), Select - Skeezer PleezerSkeezer PleezerSkeezer Pleezer was the second album by UTFO, released in 1986 on Select Records. The most notable song was "Split Personality," a paean to dissociative identity disorder.-Track listing:#"Just Watch"#"Where Did You Go?"#"We Work Hard"#"Kangol & Doc"...
(1986), Select - Lethal (1987), Select
- Doin' It! (1989), Select
- Bag It & Bone It (1991), UTFO/JiveJive RecordsJive Records was a record label based in New York City, operating under RCA Music Group. Jive was primarily known for a string of successes with hip hop artists in the 1980s, and in teen pop and boy bands in the late 1990s. The word "jive" was inspired by Township Jive, a form of South African...
/RCA RecordsRCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
Singles
- "Hangin' Out" b/w "Roxanne, Roxanne" (1984), Select
- Roxanne, Roxanne (1984), Select
- Beats and Rhymes (1984), SelectSelect RecordsSelect Records is an American record label. Among its most popular acts were Chubb Rock, AMG, The Jerky Boys, Kid 'n Play, UTFO, Whistle, and The Real Roxanne...
- "Rough & Rugged" (1989), Select
- "Bite It" (1985), Select
- "Leader of the Pack" (1985), Select
- "Pick Up the Pace" (1985), Select
- "Split Personality" (1986), Select
- "We Work Hard" (1986), Select
- "Ya Cold Wanna Be with Me" (1987), Select
- "Lethal" (1987), Select
- "Let's Get It On" (1988), Select
- "Wanna Rock" (1989), Select
- "Lisa Lips" (1989), Select
- "My Cut Is Correct" (1989), Select
- "If You Don't Wanna Get Pregnant" (1990), Jive
- "I'm a Dog" (1991), Jive
Compilations
- The Best of U.T.F.O. (1996), Select
- Skeezer PleezerSkeezer PleezerSkeezer Pleezer was the second album by UTFO, released in 1986 on Select Records. The most notable song was "Split Personality," a paean to dissociative identity disorder.-Track listing:#"Just Watch"#"Where Did You Go?"#"We Work Hard"#"Kangol & Doc"...
/LethalLethalLethal is an adjective meaning capable of causing death.Lethal may also refer to:* Lethal , an American heavy metal band* Leigh Matthews, Australian rules footballer nicknamed "Lethal" or "Lethal" Leigh...
(2000), BCM