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The Fat Boys

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The Fat Boys were a Brooklyn hip-hop music trio who emerged in the early 1980s. The Fat Boys were:

  • Mark "Prince Markie Dee" Morales
  • Damon "Kool Rock-Ski" Wimbley
  • Darren "The Human Beat Box" Robinson

History

Originally the group was known as The Disco Three. Apparently the group's name was changed after their manager Charles Stettler complained about how much the trio ate during an early European tour.

Unlike many of the streetwise images of the genre, the Fat Boys were known for their offbeat and friendly style. Much of their material involved the pleasures of food and drink as well as partying and sexual escapades. Buffy, the Human Beatbox, was a pioneer in beatboxing (using his mouth to portray the typical hip hop percussion "scratch 'n mix" sounds). His distinctive talent was influential to the genre as well as a noticeable hook to get the Fat Boys noticed. Buffy and another contemporary Doug E. Fresh popularized beatboxing, inspiring other artists to innovate, including Biz Markie and later, others such as Rahzel. Attempting to capitalize on the appearance-oriented name of the Fat Boys, another hip hop group dubbed themselves the Skinny Boys, and yet another, the Fat Girls. Their popularity was mild in comparison, however.

For their 1987 album, Crushin', the Fat Boys re-made a version of the Surfaris' hit "Wipe Out", with the Beach Boys singing back-up vocals. The single made it to #12 on the Billboard Pop chart, and #10 on R&B. The Fat Boys also recorded a version of the Twist with Chubby Checker himself.

Capitalizing on their good humored personalities, the trio starred in a Hollywood feature film, Disorderlies, which also featured Ralph Bellamy as a millionaire invalid who receives bumbling care by his good-natured orderlies (played by the Fat Boys).

The group's popularity waned by the '90s, and Prince Markie Dee left the group to pursue solo interests. Regardless, they are fondly regarded as a seminal part of early rap music recording (and video) history. Although there was talk of a Fat Boys reunion, nothing was released. Only on December 10, 1995, would it be clear this would not happen, as Darren "Buffy, the Human Beatbox" Robinson died of a heart attack in Rosedale, New York. He was 28 years old and reportedly 450 lbs.

Discography

  • 1984 - Fat Boys 12" (as The Disco 3) - (Sutra)

LPs

  • 1984 - Fat Boys - (Sutra)
  • 1985 - The Fat Boys Are Back! - (Sutra)
  • 1986 - Big & Beautiful - (Sutra)
  • 1987 - Greatest Hits: The Best Part of the Fat Boys - (Sutra)
  • 1987 - Crushin’ - (Tin Pan Apple/Polydor); reached #8 on Billboard’s Pop chart and #4 on R&B
  • 1988 - Coming Back Hard Again - (Tin Pan Apple/Polydor); reached #33 on Billboard’s Pop chart and #21 on R&B)
  • 1989 - On And On - (Tin Pan Apple/Mercury)
  • 1991 - Mack Daddy (without Prince Markie D) - (Emperor/Ichiban)
  • 1997 - All Meat, No Filler! The Best of The Fat Boys - (Rhino)

Singles As One-Time Appearances

  • 1985 - "Chillin With The Refrigerator" - (Sutra)
  • 1985 - "Force M.D.s Meet the Fat Boys" on the Force M.D.s' album Chillin’ (Tommy Boy)
  • 1985 - "All You Can Eat" - Krush Groove Original Soundtrack - (Warner Bros.)
  • 1985 - "Krush Groovin'" (as part of the Krush Groove All Stars) - Krush Groove Original Soundtrack - (Warner Bros.); reached #87 on the US R&B chart
  • 1985 - "Sun City" - Artists United Against Apartheid - (Manhattan)
  • 1986 - "King Holiday" - (as part of The King Dream Chorus and Holiday Crew) - (Mercury)
  • 1987 - "Baby You're a Rich Man" - Disorderlies Soundtrack - (Tin Pan Apple/Polygram)

Filmography

  • 1985 - Knights of the City, a.k.a. Cry Of The City (New World)
  • 1985 - Krush Groove (Warner Brothers)
  • 1986 - Miami Vice t.v. show, episode "Florence Italy"
  • 1986 - Fat Boys On Video: Brrr Watch ‘Em! (MCA Home Video)
  • 1987 - Disorderlies (Warner Brothers)
  • 1987 - Square One music video "Burger Pattern"
  • 1988 - Square One music video "One Billion"
  • 1988 - 3 X 3 (Tin Pan Alley/Polygram Music Video)
  • 1989 - Square One music video "Working Backwards" (1989)
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