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Stetsasonic was an American hip hop group formed in 1981 in Brooklyn, New York City, New York. It is remembered as one of the first hip hop crews to use a live band, and their positive, uplifting lyrics have made the group forerunners of alternative hip hop and jazz hip hop.
Membership- Wise
- Daddy-O
- Frukwan
- Prince Paul
- DBC (Devastating Beat Creator)
- MC Delite
- Bobby Simmons
HistoryOriginally, the group was known as The Stetson Brothers, after Stetson hats, but it changed its name to Stetsasonic for its debut, On Fire (1986). [label=Stetsasonic] The album received mixed reviews, though the follow-ups, In Full Gear and Blood, Sweat & No Tears were critically acclaimed. A 1988 New York Times article said that the group mirrored the rise of artistic, profound rap music: "While pop's political commentary often seems secondary to catchy melodies and commercial acceptability, rap's tough sound sharpens its commentary". As a "hip hop band", dependent on instruments as well as turntables, the group was also known for live shows, though sometimes the "rap-show format prevented Stetsasonic from employing the band instrumentation and studio layering that make their records so distinctive."
BreakupThe group disbanded soon after the release of Blood, Sweat & No Tears.
Frukwan and Prince Paul were founding members of the Gravediggaz, while the latter also became a well-respected record producer, as did Daddy-O, who worked with Mary J
. Blige, Positive K, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others.
Former member Bobby Simmons pursued work in public access, forming the show Flava Videos in the mid-'90s on Channel 26 (New York).
Wise is known as one of the pioneers of beatboxing along with Doug E. Fresh.
Discography- On Fire
- Released: 1986
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #32
- Singles: "Just Say Stet," "Faye" and "A.F.R.I.C.A."
- In Full Gear
- Released: 1988
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #20
- Singles: "Sally," "Talkin' All that Jazz"
- Blood, Sweat & No Tears
- Released: July 1, 1991
- Billboard 200 chart position: -
- R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #75
- Singles: "No B.S. Allowed," "So Let the Fun Begin"
Copyright Citations
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