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 “Run” 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 DMC’s early work. In keeping with 80’s trends, Whodini’s cuts tended to be synthesizer driven with a heavy electronic drumbeat. The sampling technology that became identified with rap hadn’t really become prominent during Whodini’s early days, and their works were thoroughly original compositions.
“Haunted House of Rock” was their first single, a whimsical Halloween-themed number. Synth-pop pioneer Thomas Dolby produced another of their early singles, “Magic’s Wand”. 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 “Friends” and “One Love”. Backstage partying was extolled in the mildly controversial “I’m a Ho”. “Fugitive” was guitar-driven funk. From 1982 - 1986 was the band’s heyday, touring with Run DMC, LL Cool J, the Fat Boys, and other prominent R&B and funk outfits of the 80’s.
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 ‘Fresh Fest’ 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 “Anyway I Gotta Swing it” for the Nightmare on Elm Street 5 movie soundtrack.
Magic's Wand
Whodini Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh my God, I think I'm having a rap attack..
[ Ecstacy ]
Somebody get a doctor!
Quick, man
She's having an attack!
[ Jalil ]
She said 'rap attack', man, not 'heart attack'
Oh, you mean she's alright then?
[ Jalil ]
Of course, man
You never heard of a Mr. Magic Rap Attack?
Where is this guy from, man?
[ Ecstacy ]
Oh, I heard of a heart attack or a big mac attack
But what's a rap attack?
[ Jalil ]
Come here, man, I see I'ma have to explain it to you like this
See, a rap attack means..
[ Jalil ]
Deejays jammin in the street
MC's rappin to the beat
The people downstairs sayin they can't sleep
Cause the people upstairs are stompin their feet
It's not like they're startin a riot
"We'll call the cops, cause we want some quiet!"
There's no need for them to get excited
They're just mad because they're not invited
(It's all in Mr. Magic's Wand)
[ Ecstacy ]
Oh see, now I understand what a rap attack is
[ Jalil ]
Well, it's about time!
[ Ecstacy ]
All you had to do is explain it to me
But let me ask you a question:
How long have they been rockin like this?
[ Jalil (& Ecstacy) ]
Well, rapping's always been around
(Well, it says that it's big time now)
Every neighborhood had its own crew
(That meant you against me) and me against you
(They would jam every weekend at the neighborhood center)
And charge a small price for the crowds to enter
(The parties would be packed inside and out)
To see who was best at rockin the house
(It's all in Mr. Magic's..
..Wand)
[ Jalil ]
Cause then Magic went on the radio
And everybody said: "What a way to go!"
The moment he went on the air
It was plain to see a new phase was here
He started out playing mostly rap
Then they all said: "Nobody's into that"
Well, they all turned out to be wrong
Cause rappin on the mike had caught on strong
Some still say it's not what's happenin
After 'Rapper's Delight' went triple platinum
The record world was in for a smash
Sugarhill, Kurtis Blow, to Grandmaster Flash
Blondie, Stevie Wonder, Teena Marie
They even made a rapper out of me
In no time at all a star was born
And I think he owes it all to his Magic Wand
[ Ecstacy (& Jalil) ]
Now that you heard our rap and you caught a contact
(And by now you're all to be blasted)
We want you all to know that we got to go
(But it was big fun while it lasted)
Hey y'all, but we'll be back again, so tell all your friends
(Good things don't always come to an end)
With somethin innovative (to rock you all well)
From Ecstacy (and the Rapper Jalil)
Whodini's "Magic's Wand" discusses how the rap genre emerged to the mainstream of the music industry. The song commences with a female character, who thinks she is experiencing a medical emergency, which she refers to as a rap attack. Jalil and Ecstacy then clarify what a rap attack is and how it demonstrates an audience's response to passionate rap music that usually involves MCs rapping to the beat while DJs jam in the street. The song goes further in describing how the art form has evolved throughout the years to become a part of the mainstream genre of music. The lyrics also depict how rap parties were organized in communities, with everyone wanting a chance to showcase their talent. Mr. Magic was the radio DJ and host who attended those rap parties and went on air with his radio station specializing in playing rap songs. Mr. Magic was the first to believe in the genre, and when he played rap records on the radio, unexpectedly, the genre caught on strong. Through their distinct style of using storytelling and humor, Whodini discusses the essential elements that make rap music popular.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh my God, I think I'm having a rap attack..
The woman is overwhelmed by the music.
Somebody get a doctor!
Ecstasy thinks something is seriously wrong with the woman.
She said 'rap attack', man, not 'heart attack'
Jalil clarifies that the woman is not having a heart attack but is reacting to the power of rap music.
Oh, you mean she's alright then?
Ecstasy realizes his mistake and confirms that the woman is okay.
You never heard of a Mr. Magic Rap Attack?
Jalil references a famous DJ who popularized the term rap attack.
But what's a rap attack?
Ecstasy asks for clarification on the term rap attack.
Deejays jammin in the street
MC's rappin to the beat
The people downstairs sayin they can't sleep
Cause the people upstairs are stompin their feet
It's not like they're startin a riot
"We'll call the cops, cause we want some quiet!"
There's no need for them to get excited
They're just mad because they're not invited
Jalil explains that rap comes from jam sessions on the streets where DJs and MCs would gather crowds, leading to complaints from nearby residents who could not sleep. However, there was no violence even though some neighbors called the cops.
(It's all in Mr. Magic's Wand)
Jalil references Mr. Magic, the DJ who introduced the world to the power of rap music.
Well, it's about time!
Ecstasy finally understands what a rap attack is.
Every neighborhood had its own crew
(That meant you against me) and me against you
Jalil notes that every neighborhood had its own rappers in competition.
(They would jam every weekend at the neighborhood center)
And charge a small price for the crowds to enter
(The parties would be packed inside and out)
To see who was best at rockin the house
(It's all in Mr. Magic's..
..Wand)
Jalil and Ecstasy recall the regular rap battles that took place over weekends, charging admission fees for packed crowds to determine who was the most skilled MC.
Cause then Magic went on the radio
And everybody said: "What a way to go!"
The moment he went on the air
It was plain to see a new phase was here
Jalil explains how Mr. Magic's radio show was transformative for rap, taking it from underground hip hop to mainstream success.
Some still say it's not what's happenin
After 'Rapper's Delight' went triple platinum
The record world was in for a smash
Sugarhill, Kurtis Blow, to Grandmaster Flash
Blondie, Stevie Wonder, Teena Marie
They even made a rapper out of me
In no time at all a star was born
And I think he owes it all to his Magic Wand
Jalil describes how rap music went from being criticized as a fad to mass-produced and accepted by the record industry, leading to the stardom of legendary rappers like Sugarhill, Kurtis Blow, Grandmaster Flash and even himself. He attributes Mr. Magic's influence as the catalyst for the success of rap music.
(And by now you're all to be blasted)
Ecstasy and Jalil suggest that the listener has become a fan of their rap music.
(But it was big fun while it lasted)
(Good things don't always come to an end)
With somethin innovative (to rock you all well)
From Ecstacy (and the Rapper Jalil)
Ecstasy and Jalil combine to say they had fun entertaining the audience with their rap music and that they will return with new and innovative sounds to rock the crowds again in the future.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: TOM HUGO HERMANSEN
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Arran Boon
That synthline literally defines the '80s for me. I wasn't there but.. thankyou to Vice City for ensuring I grew up to be an '80s kid, even if I was a little too late to the party.
toyetoyetoye
I still remember first day I heard this song…made up my mind that I was going to like it just from that synth riff!
Chuck Pulumbo
I grew up in the 80's and when GTA came out i was like what? Based on decades i knew.
Jay Nugg
Damn right!
Slim One
80s manned me up for Adulthood the hard but proper way.
Sir Knighter
Haha it’s great isn’t it lol 😂
troysvisualarts
Back in the day when rap was fun, there was variation in the rapper's voice and the music is so funky and great to breakdance to, this song defines the kind of rap/hip-hop I like, great song!!! :) This kind of rap needs to come back bring the fun back in to rap as well as the great synth funk music with it and breakdancers along the lines of The Rocksteady Crew!
FIXTREME BOB
It's just a bunch of guys dancing at J.C Penny, but I'll be damned if it isn't one of the best raps of all time💎
music lover1984
I know a jc penny that has an escalator don't make me film a video lol..
Youtubeishorrendous
I met you at J C penny.... i think your name tag said Jeennnyyyy