Quad City DJ's is an American music group originally consisting of Jay Ski (Johnny McGowan), C.C. Lemonhead (Nathaniel Orange), and JeLana LaFleur who recorded the 1996 hit "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)", a rap-remix of Barry White's 1974 "Theme from Together Brothers". They are also known for writing and performing the theme song to the 1996 live-action/animated basketball film Space Jam.
Quad City DJ's | |
|---|---|
 Members of the Quad City DJ's. Left to right, Jay Ski, JeLana LaFleur, and C.C. Lemonhead | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active |
|
| Labels | Quadrasound, Big Beat |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
Background
edit1988–1995: Early years
editSki and Lemonhead first partnered in 1988 in Jacksonville, Florida. They first were in a group known as Chill Deal. During this time they produced fellow acts Three Grand and Icey J, the latter being famous for the female answer rap to Rob Base's "It Takes Two" entitled "It Takes a Real Man". After Chill Deal dissolved, they reformed as 95 South to create the triple platinum hit "Whoot, There It Is".[1] Their success led to work with Dis-n-Dat producing "Freak Me Baby" and 69 Boyz producing the double platinum single "Tootsee Roll".
1996–1997: Formation and Get On Up and Dance
editIn 1996, Ski and Lemonhead enlisted singer JeLanna “Lana” LaFleur and formed Quad City DJ's; the term "Quad" in the group's name is a local reference to bass.[2][3] In February 1996, they released the single "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)". The song was a success, peaking at number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and was certified platinum.[4] Following its release, Lemonhead opted to take a step back from the limelight and instead the group was marketed as a duo.[5]
As a duo, Quad City DJ's released their debut album Get On Up and Dance in June 1996. It peaked at number 31 on the Billboard Hot 200 and was certified platinum.[6] Along with the "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)", the album also included the minor hit "Summer Jam" which was released as a single the following year and peaked at #27 on the Billboard Hot Rap Singles chart.
Later in 1996, the duo contributed to the Space Jam soundtrack, performing its titular theme song. The song peaked at number 37 on the Billboard Hot 100.[7]
In the summer of 1997, the duo co-headlined the Dance Across America tour with La Bouche.[8]
2015–present: Later releases and new members
editIn 2015, Quad City DJ's released the single "4 Minute TwerkOut"; the release was credited to Jay Ski and the Quad City DJ's.[9] Another single, "What Happens Here Stays Here", was released in 2017.[10]
In 2021, the group began touring occasionally across the United States with a new line-up featuring original member C.C. Lemonhead alongside new members Tony WHOA! (Anthony Wallace II) and Tamara Wallace (formerly of the Funky Green Dogs).[11][12] A year prior, this line-up recorded "Brand New Jam" for the soundtrack to Space Jam: A New Legacy, but it ended up not being included on the soundtrack.[13]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B | |||
| Get On Up and Dance |
|
31 | 23 | |
Singles
edit| Year | Single | Chart positions | Certifications | Album | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US R&B |
US Rap |
AUS [15] |
CAN [16] |
CAN Dan. [17] |
GER | NLD | NZ | UK | ||||
| 1996 | "C'mon N' Ride It (The Train)" | 3 | 15 | 4 | 13 | 76 | 14 | — | — | 30 | 95 | Get On Up and Dance | |
| "Space Jam" | 37 | 49 | 11 | 97 | — | — | 71 | 67 | 24 | 57 | Space Jam: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture | ||
| 1997 | "Summer Jam" | 105 | 95 | 27 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Get On Up and Dance | |
| "Let's Do It" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
References
edit- ^ http://www.discogs.com/95-South-Whoot-There-It-Is-Ultimix/master/170533[permanent dead link]
- ^ Tony Green (September 1996). "Quad City DJ's: Basic Instinct". Vibe. Retrieved May 16, 2020.[dead link]
- ^ Tony Green (September 1996). "Quad City DJ's: Basic Instinct". Vibe. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
- ^ "Quad City DJ's, 'C'Mon N' Ride It (The Train)' (1996)". Rolling Stone Australia. 2022-07-25. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ "Hoop There It Is: How a Band With One Album Became the Sound of 'Space Jam'". www.theringer.com. 2021-07-14. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ Cabison, Rosalie (2013-01-02). "Billboard 200". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ Kelley, Caitlin (2021-07-16). "Come On and Slam: How Quad City DJ's' 'Space Jam' Became the Theme of Online Mashups". Billboard. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ "Quad City DJs, La Bouche Start To Dance Across America". MTV. Archived from the original on June 15, 2023. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ 4 Minute TwerkOut, 2015-08-14, retrieved 2023-06-15
- ^ What Happens Here Stays Here, 2017-05-15, retrieved 2023-06-15
- ^ "The Original 'Space Jam' Theme Song is Being Offered up as an NFT". 13 July 2021.
- ^ DJ's, Quad City. ""C'mon N Ride It (The Train)", "Space Jam", "Tootsee Roll", "Whoot!"". Quad City DJ's. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
- ^ "Brand New Jam - Instagram preview". Retrieved 2022-07-14.
- ^ "American album certifications – Quad City DJ's – Get On Up and Dance". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ Peaks in Australia:
- "C'mon n' Ride It (The Train)": "Discography Quad City DJ's". australian-charts.com. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- "Space Jam": Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 227.
- ^ Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada
- ^ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Archived from the original on 2016-03-15. Retrieved 2011-10-02.
- ^ "American single certifications – Quad City DJ's – C'mon n' Ride It (The Train)". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
- ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 1997 Singles" (PDF). Australian Recording Industry Association. Retrieved September 5, 2022.