DJ Kool
Encyclopedia
John W. Bowman, Jr., better known by his stage name DJ Kool is a rapper
who, in the late 1990s, produced several popular rap singles. Born in 1959 in Washington, D.C.
, his influence from his years of working the go-go and rap circuits became apparent in his music. During the early- to mid-1980s, Kool worked as a warm-up DJ for Rare Essence
, until he was picked up by CLR Records.
In 1996, he recorded his most successful track, "Let Me Clear My Throat
," which was released on American Recordings. The track peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart
in March 1997. The song prominently featured a sample
of "The 900 Number" by DJ Mark the 45 King
, (that song featured a sample from Marva Whitney
's "Unwind Yourself", repeated over a breakbeat for six minutes). The song also began by sampling "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool and the Gang. The song is a recognizable dance floor-filler, and the track remains popular . DJ Kool was featured on Mýa
's 2006 single "Ayo!" from her 2008 album Liberation
. He was also featured on two tracks on Will Smith
's 2005 album Lost and Found.
On November 21, 2009, he performed at halftime of a Denver Nuggets
basketball game.
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
who, in the late 1990s, produced several popular rap singles. Born in 1959 in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, his influence from his years of working the go-go and rap circuits became apparent in his music. During the early- to mid-1980s, Kool worked as a warm-up DJ for Rare Essence
Rare Essence
Rare Essence, is an American go-go band, originally from Washington, D.C.-Career:The band developed from a relationship between four childhood friends: Quinten "Footz" Davidson, Andre "Whiteboy" Johnson, Michael "Funky Ned" Neal and John Jones...
, until he was picked up by CLR Records.
In 1996, he recorded his most successful track, "Let Me Clear My Throat
Let Me Clear My Throat
"Let Me Clear My Throat" is a 1996 song by hip-hop artist DJ Kool from his album of the same name Let Me Clear My Throat. It was recorded live at the Bahama Bay club in Philadelphia.-Track listing:...
," which was released on American Recordings. The track peaked at #8 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
in March 1997. The song prominently featured a sample
Sampling (music)
In music, sampling is the act of taking a portion, or sample, of one sound recording and reusing it as an instrument or a different sound recording of a song or piece. Sampling was originally developed by experimental musicians working with musique concrète and electroacoustic music, who physically...
of "The 900 Number" by DJ Mark the 45 King
DJ Mark the 45 King
DJ Mark the 45 King , also known as the 45 King, started DJing in New Jersey in the mid-1980s. The nickname "the 45 King" comes from his ability to make beats using obscure 45 RPM records.-Career:...
, (that song featured a sample from Marva Whitney
Marva Whitney
Marva Whitney is an African American funk singer. She is considered by many funk enthusiasts to be one of the "rawest" and "brassiest" music divas....
's "Unwind Yourself", repeated over a breakbeat for six minutes). The song also began by sampling "Hollywood Swinging" by Kool and the Gang. The song is a recognizable dance floor-filler, and the track remains popular . DJ Kool was featured on Mýa
Mya
-A person:* Bo Mya , Chief Commander of the Karen National Union* Mýa , American R&B singer-songwriter and actress** Mýa , a 1998 album by Mýa-A code:* Burmese language, ISO 639-3 code is mya* Moruya Airport's IATA code...
's 2006 single "Ayo!" from her 2008 album Liberation
Liberation (Mýa album)
Liberation is the fourth studio album by American singer Mýa, released by Universal Motown on 22 October 2007 in Japan as a digital download only. The album marks the singer's only release on the Motown label, which she left the year after....
. He was also featured on two tracks on Will Smith
Will Smith
Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr. , also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor, producer, and rapper. He has enjoyed success in television, film and music. In April 2007, Newsweek called him the most powerful actor in Hollywood...
's 2005 album Lost and Found.
On November 21, 2009, he performed at halftime of a Denver Nuggets
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are a professional basketball team based in Denver, Colorado. They play in the National Basketball Association . They were founded as the Denver Rockets in 1967 as a charter franchise of the American Basketball Association, and became one of that league's more successful teams...
basketball game.
Albums
- The Music Ain't Loud Enuff (1990)
- 20 Minute Workout (1992)
- Let Me Clear My ThroatLet Me Clear My Throat (DJ Kool album)Let Me Clear My Throat is the third and final studio album by DJ Kool, released in April 1996 on American Recordings.Let Me Clear My Throat was DJ Kool's most successful album chart-wise, becoming his only one to reach the Billboard 200, where it peaked at 161...
(1996)
Guest Appearances
- "Be A Man" by "Macho Man" Randy SavageRandy SavageRandall Mario Poffo , better known by his ring name "Macho Man" Randy Savage, was an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling .Savage held twenty championships during his professional wrestling career and was a...
(2003) - "Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get in da Club)Let's Get Dirty (I Can't Get in da Club)"Let's Get Dirty " is the first single released from Redman's 2001 album, Malpractice. It is produced by Rockwilder and contains a highly synthesized beat and guest vocals from DJ Kool. It was slightly successful and scraped the edge of the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was described by Allmusic...
" by RedmanRedmanReginald "Reggie" Noble , better known by his stage name Redman, is an American MC, rapper, DJ, record producer and actor. He came to fame in the early 1990s as an artist on the Def Jam label. He is also well known for his collaborations with Method Man, including their starring roles in films and...
(2001)