Darren Robinson (rapper)
Encyclopedia
Darren Robinson also known as Buffy, The Human Beat Box, and DJ Doctor Nice (among other aliases), was a member of the 1980s rap
group The Fat Boys
. He, along with Doug E. Fresh
and others, were pioneers of beatboxing
, a form of vocal percussion used in many rap groups throughout the '80s and '90s.
Buffy and the group were featured in the 1985 movie Krush Groove
, appearing under the name Disco Three at the start before acquiring the name The Fat Boys near the end. They went on to win the talent contest after being ridiculed on previous occasions. The movie, based on the early days of record label Def Jam also featured Blair Underwood as Russell Simmons (named Russell Walker in the movie), and record producer Rick Rubin
along with Run DMC, Sheila E.
, Beastie Boys
and Kurtis Blow
, and a young LL Cool J
.
As the Fat Boys' fame declined Robinson found himself embroiled in scandal in 1990 when he was accused of filming a roadie having sex with a 14-year-old girl in August 1990 at a suburban Philadelphia
party. Robinson was fined $10,000.
Although perfect for the group's image, Darren's weight eventually contributed to his death. He also had recently been diagnosed with lymphedema
, or fluid buildup. He died of a heart attack
, weighing 450 lb (204 kg) at the time. He had been battling the flu
, according to his older brother, Curt, who was also his manager and was also involved in the August 1990 event. "He was doing one of his songs, and at the end of the session he got off the couch and was climbing on a studio chair when he fell and lost his wind," Curt Robinson said. "I tried to give him mouth to mouth
, but he just couldn't make it." Paramedics called to Robinson's Rosedale, New York
home at 3 a.m. were also unable to revive the rapper.
Curt Robinson said Darren Robinson had been trying to lose weight and was working on a Fat Boys reunion album.
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”...
group The Fat Boys
The Fat Boys
The Fat Boys are a successful African American hip-hop music trio from Brooklyn, New York City, that emerged in the early 1980s. Briefly, the group was known originally as the Disco 3.-Members:*Mark Morales a.k.a. "Prince Markie Dee"...
. He, along with Doug E. Fresh
Doug E. Fresh
Douglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
and others, were pioneers of beatboxing
Beatboxing
Beatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...
, a form of vocal percussion used in many rap groups throughout the '80s and '90s.
Buffy and the group were featured in the 1985 movie Krush Groove
Krush Groove
Krush Groove is a 1985 Warner Bros. film, written by Ralph Farquhar and directed by Michael Schultz . This film is based on the early days of Def Jam Recordings and up-and-coming record producer Russell Simmons , portrayed by Blair Underwood in his feature film debut...
, appearing under the name Disco Three at the start before acquiring the name The Fat Boys near the end. They went on to win the talent contest after being ridiculed on previous occasions. The movie, based on the early days of record label Def Jam also featured Blair Underwood as Russell Simmons (named Russell Walker in the movie), and record producer Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
along with Run DMC, Sheila E.
Sheila E.
Sheila Escovedo , known by her stage name Sheila E., is an American drummer and percussionist, perhaps best known for her work with Prince, George Duke and Ringo Starr.-Early life and Prince period:...
, Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys
Beastie Boys are an American hip hop trio from New York City. The group consists of Mike D who plays the drums, MCA who plays the bass, and Ad-Rock who plays the guitar....
and Kurtis Blow
Kurtis Blow
Kurt Walker , better known by his stage name Kurtis Blow, is an American rapper and record producer. He is one of the first commercially successful rappers and the first to sign with a major record label...
, and a young LL Cool J
LL Cool J
James Todd Smith , better known as LL Cool J , is an American rapper, entrepreneur, and actor...
.
As the Fat Boys' fame declined Robinson found himself embroiled in scandal in 1990 when he was accused of filming a roadie having sex with a 14-year-old girl in August 1990 at a suburban Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
party. Robinson was fined $10,000.
Although perfect for the group's image, Darren's weight eventually contributed to his death. He also had recently been diagnosed with lymphedema
Lymphedema
Lymphedema , also known as lymphatic obstruction, is a condition of localized fluid retention and tissue swelling caused by a compromised lymphatic system....
, or fluid buildup. He died of a heart attack
Myocardial infarction
Myocardial infarction or acute myocardial infarction , commonly known as a heart attack, results from the interruption of blood supply to a part of the heart, causing heart cells to die...
, weighing 450 lb (204 kg) at the time. He had been battling the flu
Influenza
Influenza, commonly referred to as the flu, is an infectious disease caused by RNA viruses of the family Orthomyxoviridae , that affects birds and mammals...
, according to his older brother, Curt, who was also his manager and was also involved in the August 1990 event. "He was doing one of his songs, and at the end of the session he got off the couch and was climbing on a studio chair when he fell and lost his wind," Curt Robinson said. "I tried to give him mouth to mouth
Artificial respiration
Artificial respiration is the act of assisting or stimulating respiration, a metabolic process referring to the overall exchange of gases in the body by pulmonary ventilation, external respiration, and internal respiration...
, but he just couldn't make it." Paramedics called to Robinson's Rosedale, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
home at 3 a.m. were also unable to revive the rapper.
Curt Robinson said Darren Robinson had been trying to lose weight and was working on a Fat Boys reunion album.