Whodini is a hip hop group formed in the 1980s, made up of Jalil (Jalil Hut… Read Full Bio ↴Whodini is a hip hop group formed in the 1980s, made up of Jalil (Jalil Hutchins), Ecstasy (John Fletcher) and Grandmaster Dee (Drew Carter).

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.

Out of Control
Whodini Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Jalil, where you goin’? Be quiet
Man! Can’t you see I’m trying
To sneak outta here?
Word man, let’s break out
This place is crazy! Over here!
Yo Ecstasy, which way you goin’
Runnin’ man, this way, or that way?
Yo man, let’s just get out of here

Don't make no difference which way we run!
Yes, it do! Why?
Because I don’t wanna run over you!

Was 'Voodoo on a stick'
Was 'Voodoo on a stick'

Frankenstein was there with some
Crazy looking chick
I think she said her name
Was 'Voodoo on a stick'
And turnin' to the funky beat

Jalil, where you goin’? Be quiet
Man! Can’t you see I’m trying
To sneak outta here?
Word man, let’s break out
This place is crazy! Over here!
Yo Ecstasy, which way you goin’
Runnin’ man, this way, or that way?
Yo man, let’s just get out of here
Don't make no difference which way we run!
Yes, it do! Why?
Because I don’t wanna run over you!

(Was 'Voodoo on a stick'
Turnin' to the funky beat
Her name was 'Voodoo on a stick'
Turnin' to the funky beat
Frankenstein was there with

Turnin' to the funky beat
'Voodoo on a stick')

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Whodini's song "Out of Control" depict a chaotic and wild party that the artists are trying to escape from. Jalil and Ecstasy are trying to sneak out of the place, as it has become too much to handle with people running everywhere and even the mythical creature Frankenstein being present. During their escape, they come across a woman who introduces herself as "Voodoo on a stick" and is dancing to the beat of the music. Despite the madness happening around them, Jalil and Ecstasy manage to find each other and flee the party together.

The song can be interpreted as a commentary on the dangers of partying and letting go of oneself too much. Jalil and Ecstasy are trying to resist the temptation of the wild party and escape the madness with their lives intact. The character of "Voodoo on a stick" represents the more supernatural and mystical elements that can be present at a wild gathering, adding an air of danger to the situation. Overall, "Out of Control" is a cautionary tale against overindulgence and the importance of maintaining control in situations that can quickly spiral out of hand.

Line by Line Meaning

Jalil, where you goin’? Be quiet
Someone is asking Jalil where he is going, and would like him to keep quiet in doing so.

Man! Can’t you see I’m trying To sneak outta here?
Jalil is annoyed because he is trying to sneak out and be inconspicuous, and would like to not be noticed.

Word man, let’s break out This place is crazy! Over here!
Jalil suggests they leave and escape, thinking this place is too wild and unwanted, and points out the direction to go.

Yo Ecstasy, which way you goin’ Runnin’ man, this way, or that way?
Someone named Ecstasy is asked which way they are running, and is offered two options to choose from.

Yo man, let’s just get out of here Don't make no difference which way we run!
Jalil suggests that it does not really matter which way they go as long as they leave and escape the chaos at hand.

Yes, it do! Why? Because I don’t wanna run over you!
Jalil is reminded that it does matter which way they run, because he does not want to accidentally bump into and harm the person he is speaking to.

(Was 'Voodoo on a stick' Was 'Voodoo on a stick')
There is repetition of the phrase 'Voodoo on a stick'.

Frankenstein was there with some Crazy looking chick
Frankenstein was present with a woman who looked wild or strange in appearance.

I think she said her name Was 'Voodoo on a stick' And turnin' to the funky beat
The woman said her name was 'Voodoo on a stick' and was dancing to the lively music.

(Was 'Voodoo on a stick' Turnin' to the funky beat Her name was 'Voodoo on a stick' Turnin' to the funky beat Frankenstein was there with Turnin' to the funky beat 'Voodoo on a stick')
There is more repetition of the phrase 'Voodoo on a stick', along with mention of Frankenstein and the dance beat.

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