Stetsasonic

Infobox musical artist
Name = Stetsasonic


Img_capt =Prince Paul far left
Background = group_or_band
Origin = USA
Genre = Hip Hop
Electro
Years_active = 1981-1991
Label =
Current_members = Prince Paul
Frukwan
Wise
Daddy-O
DBC
MC Delite
Bobby Simmons
Past_members =

Stetsasonic was an American hip hop group formed in 1981 (see 1981 in music) in Brooklyn, New York. It is remembered as one of the first hip-hop crews to use a live band, and their positive, uplifting lyrics have made the group forerunners of alternative hip hop and jazz hip-hop.

History

Originally, the group was known as the Stetson Brothers, after Stetson Hats, but it changed its name to Stetsasonic for its debut, "On Fire" (1986, 1986 in music). [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:apfwxqugldae~T1 allmusic ((( Stetsasonic > Biography ))) ] ] The album received mixed reviews, though the follow-ups, "In Full Gear" and "Blood, Sweat & No Tears" were critically acclaimed. A 1988 New York Times article said that the group mirrored the rise of artistic, profound rap music: "While pop's political commentary often seems secondary to catchy melodies and commercial acceptability, rap's tough sound sharpens its commentary". [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1DB1238F933A25752C0A96E948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 Recordings; Rappers Keep Their Music'S Content Fresh - New York Times ] ] As a "hip hop band", dependent on instruments as well as turntables, the group was also known for live shows, though sometimes the "rap-show format prevented Stetsasonic from employing the band instrumentation and studio layering that make their records so distinctive." [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE1DE1E30F936A3575AC0A961948260 Rock: 'Def Jam 87,' Rap at the Garden - New York Times ] ]

Breakup

The group broke up soon after the release of "Blood, Sweat & No Tears".

Frukwan and Prince Paul were founding members of the Gravediggaz, while the latter also became a well-respected record producer, as did Daddy-O, who worked with Mary J. Blige, Positive K, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among others. [ [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:apfwxqugldae~T1 allmusic ((( Stetsasonic > Biography ))) ] ]

Discography

*"On Fire"
**Released: 1986
**Billboard 200 chart position: -
**R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #32
**Singles: "Just Say Stet," "Faye"

*"In Full Gear"
**Released: 1988
**Billboard 200 chart position: -
**R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #20
**Singles: "Sally," "Talkin' All that Jazz"

*"Blood, Sweat & No Tears"
**Released: July 1, 1991
**Billboard 200 chart position: -
**R&B/Hip-Hop chart position: #75
**Singles: "No B.S. Allowed," "So Let the Fun Begin"

References

External links

* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940DE1DB1238F933A25752C0A96E948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 1988 NY Times article]
* [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B0DE1DE1E30F936A3575AC0A961948260 1987 NY Times article]