Back in Black (Whodini album)

Back in Black is the third album by American hip hop group Whodini. It was recorded in London and released via Jive Records in 1986. Like on the group's previous work, audio production was handled by Larry Smith. The album peaked at #35 on the Billboard 200,[3] #4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums,[4] and was certified gold by Recording Industry Association of America on June 23, 1986.[5]

Back in Black
Studio album by
ReleasedApril 29, 1986
Recorded1985–1986
StudioBattery (London)
GenreHip hop, rap rock
Length55:06
LabelJive
ProducerLarry Smith
Whodini chronology
Escape
(1984)
Back in Black
(1986)
Open Sesame
(1987)
Singles from Back in Black
  1. "Funky Beat"
    Released: 1986
  2. "One Love"
    Released: 1986
  3. "Growing Up"
    Released: 1986
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[1]
Spinfavorable[2]

The record spawned three singles: "Funky Beat" (peaked at #19 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[6] and #30 on the Dance Club Songs),[7] "One Love" (peaked at #10 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs[8] and #34 on the Dance Club Songs),[9] and "Growing Up" (peaked at #58 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs).[10]

The music video for "Funky Beat" featured appearances by Malcolm-Jamal Warner, who was a cast member of The Cosby Show at the time, as well as Floyd Vivino with his puppet Oogie from The Uncle Floyd Show. The music video for the third single "Growing Up" was notable by the appearances of actors Giancarlo Esposito, Laurence Fishburne and Carl Anthony Payne II.

Track listing

edit
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Funky Beat"
5:01
2."One Love"
  • J. Hutchins
  • L. Smith
5:32
3."Growing Up"
  • J. Hutchins
  • L. Smith
5:10
4."I'm A Ho"
  • J. Hutchins
  • J. Fletcher
  • L. Smith
4:06
5."How Dare You"
  • J. Hutchins
  • L. Smith
  • P. Harris
6:48
6."Fugitive"
  • J. Hutchins
  • J. Fletcher
  • L. Smith
6:12
7."Echo Scratch"
  • J. Hutchins
  • J. Fletcher
  • L. Smith
5:21
8."Last Night (I Had A Long Talk With Myself)"
  • J. Hutchins
  • B. New
5:30
9."The Good Part"
  • J. Hutchins
  • L. Smith
4:09
Back In Black  1990 bonus track reissue
No.TitleLength
10."Whodini Mega Mix"7:17
Total length:55:06

Note[11]

  • Track 5 contains samples from "Piano Sonata, Op. 35, No. 2 in B-flat Minor" by Frédéric Chopin (1839)

Personnel

edit
  • Jalil Hutchins - performer
  • John "Ecstacy" Fletcher - performer
  • Lawrence Smith - backing vocals, producer, bass, keyboard programming
  • Ron Gray - backing vocals (track 2)
  • Bryan Chuck New - mixing, engineer
  • Peter Brian Harris - fairlight programming
  • Jerry Peal - engineer
  • Peter Woolliscroft - engineer
  • George Young - solo guitar (track 6)
  • Paul Kodish - drums
  • Barry Eastmond - keyboards (track 9)
  • Doug Rowell - photography

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[16] Gold 500,000^

^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

edit
  1. ^ Elias, Jason (October 24, 2017). "Back in Black - Whodini". AllMusic.
  2. ^ Spin Magazine Review on Google Books
  3. ^ "Whodini Back In Black Chart History". Billboard 200. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  4. ^ "Whodini Back In Black Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  5. ^ "Gold & Platinum - RIAA". RIAA. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  6. ^ "Whodini Funky Beat Chart History". Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  7. ^ "Whodini Funky Beat (Remix)/Whodini Megamix Chart History". Dance Club Songs. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  8. ^ "Whodini One Love Chart History". Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  9. ^ "Whodini One Love Chart History". Dance Club Songs. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  10. ^ "Whodini Growing Up Chart History". Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  11. ^ "Back in Black by Whodini: Album Samples, Covers and Remixes". WhoSampled. Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  12. ^ "Whodini Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  13. ^ "Whodini Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  14. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  15. ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 1986". Billboard. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
  16. ^ "American album certifications – Whodini – Back in Black". Recording Industry Association of America.
edit

"Whodini - Back In Black". at Discogs.