Artist:DJ Kool f/Biz Markie and Doug E. Fresh
Song:Let Me Clear My Throat
Album:Let Me Clear My Throat
The 1996 single Let Me Clear My Throat was a top 30 hit. It was the only chart single for rapper John "DJ Kool" Bowman Jr. Most of his success was on the Rap and R&B charts in the early 90s. This record did better because of wider distribution. Bowman was born Mar. 20, 1958 in Washington, DC. He started recording in 1988 with producer Stephen "S/X" Janis on their own label. Of course Bowman grew up in Washington so his music is heavily influenced by Washington's Go Go sound. If you have heard Chuck Brown and the Soul Searchers, that's the Go Go sound. So it's very high energy. Bowman became known for his way with a live audience in clubs. And that can be very difficult to recreate in a recording studio. So whenever possible, Bowman and Janis would try to record live. Let Me Clear My Throat was recorded at Bahama Bay in Philadelphia. When American Recordings owner Rick Rubin heard the record, he agreed to distribute it if Bowman recorded an album. He also brought in Biz Markie and Doug E. Fresh to appear on a remix of Let Me Clear My Throat. They produced a video for that and it got MTV airplay and reached #30 on the Billboard Hot 100. The main sample which is repeated many times is from Marva Whitney's Unwind Yourself. Marva sang with James Brown. Let Me Clear My Throat is still popular in clubs today. But like many rap artists, Bowman was unable to score another chart hit. Bowman still records occasionally and makes guest appearances on other folks records. And he still appears in clubs in the area. So I guess he's making a living. Here's the video for Let Me Clear My Throat by DJ Kool featuring Biz Markie and Doug E. Fresh.
No comments:
Post a Comment