Along with Run-D.M.C. and Fat Boys, Whodini were among the first rap groups to cultivate a high-profile national following for hip-hop music, and made significant inroads on Urban radio. The Brooklyn, New York-based trio consisted of vocalist/chief lyricist Jalil Hutchens, (one of the few rappers to go by his real name), co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy (so-named before the drug trend), who tended to wear a Zorro-style hat as his trademark; and DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee. Contemporaries of Run DMC, they were managed by Russell Simmons, brother of Joey โRunโ Simmons. Signed to NY-based indie Jive Records in 1982, they enjoyed a string of hits, mostly charting on Urban/R&B stations. The bulk of production on their releases was done by Larry Smith, a bass player who also handled much of Run DMCโs early work. In keeping with 80โs trends, Whodiniโs cuts tended to be synthesizer driven with a heavy electronic drumbeat. The sampling technology that became identified with rap hadnโt really become prominent during Whodiniโs early days, and their works were thoroughly original compositions.
โHaunted House of Rockโ was their first single, a whimsical Halloween-themed number. Synth-pop pioneer Thomas Dolby produced another of their early singles, โMagicโs Wandโ. Speaking with Songfacts about "Magic's Wand" in a 2011 interview, Dolbyexplained that he hooked up with Whodini after sending his demo tape to the music publisher Zomba, who had launched the label Jive Records. Whodini was one of the acts on the label, and Zomba put Dolby together with the New York rap trio.
The group culled a female audience with such relationship-themed cut as โFriendsโ and โOne Loveโ. Backstage partying was extolled in the mildly controversial โIโm a Hoโ. โFugitiveโ was guitar-driven funk. From 1982 - 1986 was the bandโs heyday, touring with Run DMC, LL Cool J, the Fat Boys, and other prominent R&B and funk outfits of the 80โs.
Their albums Whodini (1983), Escape (1984), and Back in Black (1986; no relation to AC/DC) were all well-received by rap fans and youthful R&B enthusiasts. The โFresh Festโ tours were the first arena-sized tours to feature all hip-hop lineups, but full-fledged crossover fame seemed to elude them, however. The group had earned their share of gold singles and albums by 1987, when the hits started to slump. Open Sesame, their release that year, failed to produce any hits. After that point, the band eked out their tenure on Jive by occasionally releasing singles, including โAnyway I Gotta Swing itโ for the Nightmare on Elm Street 5 movie soundtrack.
Funky Beat
Whodini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Funky boss, funky boss
Funky boss, funky boss
Get off my back, forget it
Funky boss, funky boss
Funky boss, funky boss
Funky boss, funky boss
Get off my back
Funky boss, funky boss
Funky boss, funky boss
Funky boss, funky boss
Get off my back
Funky boss, funky boss
Funky boss, funky boss
Funky boss, funky boss
Funky bald ass boss
Yea that's right, fuck it, ya'll muthafuckas
{'Cause everywhere is gonna be nowhere}
The song "Funky Beat" by Whodini is a classic example of the group's skill in creating catchy and memorable hip hop tracks. The lyrics are centered around the idea of confronting and standing up to a boss or authority figure, who is depicted with the repeated phrase "funky boss". The sentiment of the song is one of defiance and rebellion, with the singer telling the boss to "get off my back" and dismissing him as a "funky bald ass boss".
The repeated phrase "funky boss" serves as a kind of mantra or rallying cry, encouraging the listener to join in and reject the authority that is being imposed on them. The line "what in the fuck is happening?" further adds to the sense of confusion and chaos, as if the world is falling apart and the only solution is to push back against those in power.
Overall, "Funky Beat" is a powerful example of Whodini's skill in crafting lyrics that are both provocative and memorable, capturing the spirit of rebellion that defined early hip hop.
Line by Line Meaning
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Get off my back, forget it
Stop bothering me and let it go
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Get off my back
Stop pressuring me or bossing me around
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Get off my back
Stop pressuring me or bossing me around
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Funky boss, funky boss
Repeating that I have a boss with an unorthodox style
Funky bald ass boss
Insulting my boss by describing him as unusual and unfit for his position
Yea that's right, fuck it, ya'll muthafuckas
Expressing agreement with myself and cursing at others
'Cause everywhere is gonna be nowhere
Suggesting that there is no place to run or hide from difficult situations
Writer(s): Lawrence Smith, Jalil Hutchins, John Fletcher, William Drew Carter Copyright: Funk Groove Music Publr. Co., Universal Music - Z Tunes LLC, Imagem London Ltd.
Contributed by Brody R. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@mackilocious
No cursing nor disrespecting women just clean rap !!
@PonchoDayton
They literally have a song titled, "I'm a Ho."
@entertainingsportshighligh7525
and your point ??
@mont-doggBeats
This song went so hard when it came out when i was a kid. I canโt even describe it properly
@gaden74
And still just as hard today in 2024 ๐
@mont-doggBeats
@@gaden74 facts
@raymuniz113
Canโt believe Ecstasy is gone. A legend is born. RIP.
@kenniet7125
Me either๐ฉ๐๐ข
@tilleryjohnson8045
When did he pass
@raymuniz113
@@tilleryjohnson8045 A few days ago