History of Whodini (Rap Trio 80s)
Whodini ("Hudini") - Hip-Hop Trio formed in Brooklyn. They managed to become one of the first rap groups that included the R & B motifs in their music ... So - Whodini became the pioneers of the "New Jack Swing" genre! Among the iconic hits, the band can be highlighted: "Magic's Wand", "The Haunted House of Rock", "Friends" ... by the way: it was "Magic's Wand", it was the first song in the Rap genre that the clip was removed! And the living speeches of the Whodini - the first concerts in their own way with the participation of Break Dranssers!
Whodini ("Hudini") is what boasts: 14 hit group hit the American Billboard, and 4 albums received platinum status ... Why exactly the Whodini is so important for rap culture? And why at the peak of his popularity, the group ceased existence?
The beginning of the way
Along with Run-DMC and The Fat Boys, Whodini became one of the first rap groups, which was able to break through the radio and receive recognition of the general public ... The trio was formed in 1982. In the same time, the guys signed a contract with Indi-Label Jive Records and have already been very soon in the Olympus of Glory! The group recorded the sea of hit singles, many of them even fell into local top charts and R & B stations ratings! It is worth noting that in many respects - the success of the Whodini was owned by Basist Larry Smith, who produced a substantial part of their releases ... Previously, he also worked with RUN DMC (early years of creativity).
Considering the distant 80s, the music of the Whodini included the saturated sound of the synthesizer with a slightly gloomy counter of electronic drums ...
Debut records ...
In 1982, Whodini released their debut single "Magic's Wand"! The track became the first in the history of rap music, which was shot by a music clip ... By the way: Help in the production of single was provided by the most discerning Pioneer Sinti-Tomas Dolby! To this day, "Magic's Wand" remains the personification of the rap culture of those years ...A year later, the same debut is released! Spirled by the influential German producer Connie plank, the album was released in several variations: both on vinyl and on cassettes.
The second single group was the track "The Haunted House of Rock", the release of which was timed to Halloween! This time, the Whodini managed to combine into a single whole carelessness of The Fat Boys and virtuosity Run-DMC!
The single himself turned out to be rather heavy in his sound. In it, the group skillfully sends a listener to various monsters and bugmen - from Dracula to Bloody Mary ...
Success!
Escape albums (1984) and Back in Black (1986) were soon followed. Both works were made warm recognition both from critics and from the public ... Already by 1987, Whodini has risen a cool reputation! The trio had several gold singles and albums! The tours with thousands of arons followed, however, it seemed that Glory eludes an ambitious rap group ...
It is worth emphasizing that the peak of the activity of Whodini came for the period from 1982 to 1986. It was at that time that the trio was more than ever productive! Following the debut album, there were tours: Whodini toured with stars like Run-DMC, LL Cool J, The Fat Boys ... Whodini became a member of the Fresh Fest cult tour! In the summer of 1986, the Trio performed at the Spectrum stadium in Philadelphia. About 20 thousand spectators gathered in the arena ... moreover! Whodini became the first artists in their genre, who managed to make a tour of the UK and Europe!
Creative crisis ...
The fourth studio work of the trio, called Open Sesame, made it clear to fans that light bits and memorable rhymes will no longer ... Whodini did the focus to the side of a more hard vocal and more managed arrangements with guitars and bells ... The album was again produced by Larry Smith (for The exception of songs "Be Yoursself" and "I'm Def (Jump Back and Kiss MySelf)").
Unfortunately, this time the group could not be on the light of large hits ... The next few years when they produced singles, and it is very, very rarely ... Rather, they did it because of the obligation to Jive Records. So, one of the later records was the song "Anyway I Gotta Swing IT", recorded specifically for Horror "Nightmare on Elm Street 5: Dity's Child."
Which is not surprising, soon the Whodini has problems with their recording company. As a result, Open Sesame became their last album for the 80s ... The band took a break.
Reunion
At the beginning of the new decade, Whodini again reminded of themselves! The trio signed a contract with MCA Records, shortly after which the Bag-A-Trix album followed! Larry Smith was engaged in producing tradition. Several tracks were written in collaboration with Major Jam Productions (they also produced 4 tracks with BAG-A-TRIX). But the commercial success of the record did not have ...
In 1994, the het track "IT All Comes Down To the Money" came out!
A few years later, Whodini sign a contract with Columbia Records and release Six album. By producing this time Jermain Dupri was engaged. The main single from the release was the track "Keep Running Back", which for a while appeared in the R & B-Top:
Conclusion
After the album Six, the group never released a single new plate ... True, regularly old music trio was reprinted on various collections of the old school. Whodini was still toured than, definitely, pleased the devotees of fans. In the period from 2007 to 2018, the Group was awarded a number of premiums, and was also included in the Long Island Music Glory Hall. Unfortunately, in December 2020, Fletcher did not become: the musician died at the age of 56 ...