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Technotronic was a studio-based Belgian music project formed by Jo Bogaert (alias Thomas DeQuincey, born 1954, Aalst, Belgium) in 1988, who had already made his musical mark in the beginning of the 1980s as a part of a cover band and as a solo artist under various new beat projects, including The Acts of Madmen and Nux Nemo. Together with Ya Kid K (born Manuela Barbara Kamosi Moaso Djogi, January 26, 1973, Kinshasa, DR Congo), he produced the hit single "Pump Up the Jam" which was originally an instrumental. An image for the act was later put together utilizing Congolese-born fashion model Felly Kilingi as its album/single cover art and supposed singer in the music video.
[edit] "Pump Up The Jam"The track that would become "Pump Up The Jam" began life as "Technotronic" (which in turn became the project's official name), an original instrumental Bogaert released under the name "The Pro 24s". Based on Farley Jackmaster Funk's "The Acid Life," this instrumental initially included vocal samples from Eddie Murphy's "Delirious" live set and was months later replaced by newer music, along with lyrics and vocals from Ya Kid K. prior to the song's international release in September 1989. It became an unexpected international smash, eventually hitting #2 on the American Hot 100 charts in late 1989/early 1990, becoming the first ever house record to break through to the pop mainstream. It not only introduced a new sound based on New Beat, a dance genre developed around the Belgian music scene, but it was also one of the first songs to pioneer the short-lived "hip-house" genre, a fusion of house and elements of hip-hop. [edit] DiscographyThe success of the project's first single led to the debut of Pump Up The Jam—The Album, which featured tracks by Ya Kid K and MC Eric (born Eric Martin, August 19, 1970, Cardiff, Wales) as well as a live opening-act slot for Madonna and appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Arsenio Hall Show, and It's Showtime at the Apollo, among others. It was at this time that Ya Kid K stepped forward as Technotronic's actual vocalist after it was revealed that Felly was merely lip-synching, à la Milli Vanilli, to the vocals of "Pump Up The Jam." Three follow-up singles, "Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)," a #7 hit in the US and a #2 hit in the UK; "This Beat Is Technotronic" (US Dance #3, UK #14); and "Move That Body" (UK #12), also hit the Top 10 in many countries, and the album eventually climbed into the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 in the USA. In 1990 Kamosi also contributed vocals on the single "Spin That Wheel", as part of Technotronic's "side project" Hi Tek 3 for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movie soundtrack. A megamix was released compiling many of Technotronic's previous hits. Released as a single, it peaked at #6 in the UK and #1 on the Eurochart Hot 100. Three years after its initial success, the song "Move This" (also featuring Kamosi) from its debut album became popularized through its use in a Revlon television commercial (and also used again in a recent Garanimals children's clothing commercial) and became their third Top-10 hit in the United States, peaking at #6. With renewed interest in the album, it was repackaged in 1992 with the same track listing, but this time it featured Ya Kid K on the cover. Technotronic has sold approximately 14 million albums and singles worldwide. [edit] 20th Anniversary (1989–2009)MC Eric and Ya Kid K. have recently reunited and are now touring countries in Europe and South America as a part of commemorating Technotronic's 20th Anniversary, performing their classic hits as well as new material. Technotronic has also made plans to tour parts of Australia in 2010. [edit] Albums
[edit] Singles
Technotronic tracks are featured on the soundtrack of the following films:
[edit] See also
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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