Whodini | |
|---|---|
 Whodini performing at Fresh Fest in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Brooklyn, New York City, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 1982–present[1] |
| Labels | |
| Members |
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| Past members |
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Whodini is an American hip hop group that was formed in 1982.[1] The Brooklyn, New York–based trio consisted of vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins; co-vocalist John Fletcher, a.k.a. Ecstasy (who wore a Zorro-style hat as his trademark; June 7, 1964 – December 23, 2020[2]); and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, a.k.a. Grandmaster Dee.[3]
Coming out of the fertile New York rap scene of the early 1980s, Whodini was one of the first rap groups to add an R&B twist to their music, thus laying the foundation for a new genre: new jack swing. The group made its name with good-humored songs such as "Magic's Wand" (the first rap song accompanied by a music video), "The Haunted House of Rock", "Friends", "Five Minutes of Funk", and "Freaks Come Out at Night". Live performances of the group were the first rap concerts with the participation of breakdance dancers from the group UTFO. Russell Simmons was the manager of the group in the 1980s.[4]
The group released six studio albums. Fourteen of the group's singles hit the Billboard charts. Four of the group's albums were certified Platinum by the RIAA.
- ^ a b Frank Tortorici (June 6, 2000). "Whodini's Ecstasy". MTV News. Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
- ^ "John Beamon Fletcher June 7, 1964 ~ December 23, 2020 (age 56)". divinemortuaryservices.com. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
- ^ Connolly, John. "Whodini Headlines Peace Hip Hop '09: August 1st". Cityofboston.gov. Archived from the original on May 24, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
- ^ "Russell Simmons and Rush Productions". Rmc.library.cornell.edu. Retrieved March 2, 2019.