Manager Charlie Stettler was a Swiss national who had embraced hip-hop culture. In 1983, putting the two together he contacted the nascent Swatch company and offered the talents of his group. The American office marketing group, headed by Steven Rechtschaffner and Nancy Kadner, were starting to do some offbeat, interesting campaigns, and agreed to star the Fat Boys in one of MTV's earliest commercials. Stettler, knowing the video channel was playing no hip-hop, readily agreed. Even with no fee he sensed the exposure would catapult his trio into youth's mainstream. The company returned to The Fat Boys for a 1985 Christmas commercial, created by former MTV creative heads Alan Goodman and Fred Seibert.
The group's 1984 self-titled debut, The Fat Boys, is considered by many to be an early hip hop classic, with artists like Boogie Down Productions and Redman, among others, making references to the album.
Big Buff Love, the Human Beatbox, was a pioneer in beatboxing (using his mouth to create hip hop percussion sounds). He and another contemporary, Doug E. Fresh, popularized beatboxing, inspiring other artists to innovate, including Biz Markie.
For its 1987 album, Crushin', the Fat Boys made a cover version of The Surfaris' hit "Wipe Out" with The Beach Boys singing back-up vocals. The single made it to #12 on the Billboard chart, and #10 on the corresponding R&B listing. The Fat Boys also recorded a version of "The Twist" with Chubby Checker, who performed it originally in 1960.
Capitalizing on their good-humored personalities, the trio starred in the 1985 Run-D.M.C. feature film Krush Groove and in the feature film Disorderlies (1987), which featured Ralph Bellamy as a millionaire invalid who receives bumbling care by his good-natured orderlies (played by the Fat Boys), with a cameo by manager Stettler. The group was later approached to record the theme song for A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master (1988), called "Are You Ready for Freddy," which featured Robert Englund performing as Freddy Krueger.
Attempting to capitalize on the appearance-oriented name of the Fat Boys, another hip hop group dubbed itself the Skinny Boys, and yet another the Fat Girls. The popularity of those groups was mild in comparison, however.
The group's popularity declined by the 1990s. For example, in the 1992 feature film Boomerang, Chris Rock's character laments the breakup of the Fat Boys. He was later quoted by Jay-Z in his 2001 song the "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)". Prince Markie Dee left the group to pursue solo interests, which included producing many early tracks for Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige which included her debut single, "Real Love." In 1991, the remaining two members, Kool Rock Ski and Buff Love, carried on as a duo and released Mack Daddy (1991), but shortly thereafter, the group disbanded (until 2008).
On December 10, 1995, Buff Love died of a heart attack in Rosedale, Queens, New York. He was 28 years old and reportedly weighed 450 pounds (200 kg). Prince Markie Dee is a current radio host for WEDR 99 Jamz in Miami, Florida working weekends. Kool Rock-ski resides in New York.
The surviving members of the Fat Boys launched its first official homepage, OriginalFatBoys.com, on November 5, 2008. According to the website, the Fat Boys recorded its first track "Fat Boys Unite" in nearly two decades and have plans of doing a reality TV show in search of a new member.
In March 2009, Kool Rock-ski announced the launch of his official website, KoolRockSki.com. His first solo project, the EP Party Time, was released on April 14, 2009.
On October 18, 2010, the cable network TV One's aired Unsung: The Story of The Fat Boys. It mentioned that the two surviving members reunited and were touring with Doug E. Fresh who was providing the beatboxing. There has been no confirmation if he is the new third permanent member. This was produced by the group's manager, Louis Gregory, publicly known as Uncle Louie.
In August 2012, The Fat Boys were scheduled to perform at the 13th annual Gathering of the Juggalos in Cave-In-Rock, Illinois but ultimately failed to appear.
In early 2015, The Fat Boys re-launched their clothing line, FatBoysClothing.com.
On February 18, 2021, Prince Markie Dee died in Miami, Florida. He was one day short of his 53rd birthday.
Wipeout
Fat Boys Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout, hey, watch out (here we go here go!)
(Wah-wah-wah) wipin' out, wipeout
When we get through we needed a vacation
We wanted to party and get a little rest
So we packed our things and headed out west
We got our surfboards, took the beachball out
Jumped in a limosuine ready to "wipeout"
Now we're ready to go
Here we go, here we go
Hup, hup-two, hup-two, hit it D, here we go
We got to california, I said headed for the beach
There were girls galore all within our reach
There was sand and sun and lots of fun
But when we get there the fun really begun
So we cut on the box and started to shout
It was the Beach Boys rockin', huh-huh the "Wipeout"
Wa-ah-ah-ah, wawawa-ooh-oo
Wa-ah-ah-ah, wawawa-ooh-oo
That's it, that-that, that's it, dit-dit-dit-dit-dit, hit it, D
The sun went down and the night began
We was rapping for the people cold chillin' my man
Just partying hard making lots of noise
When around the corner came the real Beach Boys
So we all jumped up and started to shout
"Let's all sing the song called the 'Wipeout'"
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout
(Wah-wah-wah) wipin' out, wipeout (stay on your, stay on your, stay on your feet!)
Bring it out, bring it out, y'all
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout, hey, watch out
(Wah-wah-wah) wipin' out, wipeout
In Fat Boys' song "Wipeout," the group recounts their travels across the United States touring and performing. The trio took a much-needed vacation, wanting to party and relax; they headed out west to California, where they could enjoy the beach, sun, and waves. They packed their surfboards and a beach ball and jumped into a limousine, excited to head out to the beach to "wipeout."
Upon arriving, the group is greeted by the fun-loving Beach Boys, who are blasting their epic hit "Wipeout." The Fat Boys and Beach Boys joined in, singing and dancing along to the song's surf-inspired beat. The night ends with the groups shouting and singing "Wipeout" repeatedly.
The lyrics of "Wipeout" are simple but vibrant, and the song itself is a fun and lively tribute to the Beach Boys' music and the surf culture that was popular in the 1960s. The Fat Boys' unique style of rapping adds a touch of hip-hop to the classic sound that the Beach Boys have become known for. The song is a fun, upbeat celebration of music, summer, and camaraderie between musicians.
Line by Line Meaning
Hee-hee-hee-hee, wipeout!
Excitement and anticipation for the song to start
Wipin' out, wipeout, wipin' out, wipeout (ah, wah-wah)
Repeating the song's title as a chant
For three years straight we toured the nation
They have been constantly traveling and performing for the past three years
When we get through we needed a vacation
After performing non-stop, they wanted to relax and take a break
We wanted to party and get a little rest
Their vacation plan involves both enjoying themselves and getting some downtime
So we packed our things and headed out west
Prepared for their trip, they set out to the western part of the country
We got our surfboards, took the beachball out
As a part of their vacation, they brought along surfing gear and a beach ball
Jumped in a limosuine ready to 'wipeout'
They're excited to start their vacation, specifically to hit the beach and catch some waves
Now we're ready to go
They're pumped up and ready to start their vacation
Hup, hup-two, hup-two, hit it D, here we go
A call to action to start the fun and get the party started
We got to california, I said headed for the beach
They arrived in California and headed straight for the beach
There were girls galore all within our reach
There are plenty of women around for them to have a good time
There was sand and sun and lots of fun
The beach has everything they need for a fun time, with sun and sand
But when we get there the fun really begun
Their vacation started getting even more enjoyable when they hit the beach
So we cut on the box and started to shout
They turned on the radio and began to sing along and get in a party mood
It was the Beach Boys rockin', huh-huh the 'Wipeout'
The song on the radio is the Beach Boys' 'Wipeout' and they are enjoying it
Wa-ah-ah-ah, wawawa-ooh-oo
They are singing along with the catchy tune of the 'Wipeout' song
That's it, that-that, that's it, dit-dit-dit-dit-dit, hit it, D
The catchy tune continues and they are really into it
The sun went down and the night began
As the day ended, the night and the party started
We was rapping for the people cold chillin' my man
They were enjoying the night and the company of the people around them
Just partying hard making lots of noise
They were having a wild and noisy party
When around the corner came the real Beach Boys
Unexpectedly, the actual Beach Boys showed up
So we all jumped up and started to shout
Everyone was excited and started cheering
'Let's all sing the song called the 'Wipeout''
The Beach Boys' presence inspired them to sing 'Wipeout' all together
Bring it out, bring it out, y'all
A call to continue playing the song and enjoy the party vibe
(Wah-wah-wah) wipin' out, wipeout
Repeating the chorus of the song again
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: James Evans Fuller, Patrick Vincent Connolly, Robert Earl Berryhill, Ronald Lee Wilson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind