DJ Kool

DJ Kool
Born 1958 (age 56–57)
Genres Hip hop, go-go, G-funk
Occupation(s) DJ, rapper, singer
Years active 1979–present
Labels CLR, American Recordings/Warner Bros.
Associated acts Chuck Brown, Fatman Scoop, Mýa, Rare Essence, Redman, Will Smith

DJ Kool (real name John Bowman) is an American DJ and rapper born in 1958 who, in the late 1980s, produced several popular rap singles. Born in 1958 in Washington, D.C., his influence from his years of working the go-go and rap circuits became apparent in his music. He recorded with creative funk music from 1988 to 1992 he was then picked up by CLR records in 1992 he was then picked up by American recordings in 1996 and released the chart topping single "Let Me Clear My Throat," which peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart in March 1997. The Blue Meanie uses this as his theme song in The Monster Factory pro wrestling. In 1996 in the U.S.[1] The song prominently featured a sample of "The 900 Number" by DJ Mark the 45 King, (that song featured a sample from Marva Whitney's "Unwind Yourself",[2] repeated over a breakbeat for six minutes). The song also began by sampling "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool and the Gang. The song is a recognizable dance floor-filler, and the track remains popular to this day. DJ Kool was featured on Mýa's 2006 single "Ayo!" from her 2008 album Liberation. He was also featured on two tracks on Will Smith's 2005 album Lost and Found. On January 9, 2015, mix-master DJ Cummerbund released "Uptown Funk - Macho Mix"[3] which brilliantly fused a track from Savage and Kool's 2003 song "Hit The Floor" with the hit song by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.

Discography

Albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[4]		 US
Heat.
[5]		 US
R&B
[6]
The Music Ain't Loud Enuff
  • Released: 1990
  • Label: SOH, Creative Funk
  • Formats: CD, LP, cassette
 — — 60
20 Minute Workout
  • Released: 1992
  • Label: CLR
  • Formats: CD, LP, cassette
 — — 84
Let Me Clear My Throat 161 8 21
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Singles

Guest Appearances

References

  1. ↑ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 159. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  2. ↑ Marva Whitney – Unwind Yourself (Sampled By DJ Kool – Let Me Clear My Throat)
  3. ↑ Stroud, Brandon (January 9, 2015). "Here’s The Macho Man Remix Of ‘Uptown Funk’ You’ve Been Waiting For". Uproxx. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  4. ↑ "DJ Kool – Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  5. ↑ "DJ Kool – Awards". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved May 3, 2013.
  6. ↑ "DJ Kool – Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 3, 2013.

External links