J. J. Fad
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J. J. Fad | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Original J.J. Fad |
| Origin | Rialto, California, San Bernardino County, United States |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1985–1992 2009–present |
| Labels | Uncle Louie Music Group, Ruthless Records |
| Members | Juana Burns (MC J.B.) Dania Birks (Baby D) Michelle Franklin (Sassy C) Mik Levan (Arabian Prince) |
J. J. Fad is an American female rap group from Rialto, California. The name was probably an acronym of the original group members' given names (Juana, Juanita, Fatima, Anna, and Dania), although there is another tradition that it stood for Just, Jammin', Fresh and Def. The group was backed by DJ Train (Clarence Lars).
Supersonic
J. J. Fad was originally a five-member group formed in 1985. Its members were Juana Burns (M.C.J.B.), Dania Birks (Baby-D), Anna Cash (Lady Anna), Fatima Shaheed (O.G. Rocker) and Juanita Lee (Crazy J.). It was one of the original Ruthless Records acts signed by Eazy-E. This line-up released one single, "Anotha Ho" backed with "Supersonic", in 1987 ("Anotha Ho" was the original A-side).
Due to management and financial disagreements, Cash, Shaheed and Lee quit the group, leaving J. J. Fad as a duo. The surviving original members (Burns and Birks) were joined by Michelle Franklin (Sassy C.) and DJ Train, and together they re-recorded and re-released "Supersonic", this time as the A-side. It sold 400,000 copies independently before Eazy and Jerry Heller secured the group a major label recording contract with Atco Records.
The single was followed by the album Supersonic, which was produced by Dr. Dre and DJ Yella with Arabian Prince shortly before they gained national fame with N.W.A. Dre and Yella made J. J. Fad accessible to pop audiences—unlike many West Coast rappers of the day—by including electro elements in their music. J. J. Fad was the first female rap group to earn a Grammy nomination,[1] and both the single "Supersonic" and the album Supersonic were certified gold.[2]
Not Just a Fad
With Eazy and Heller enjoying success with N.W.A., it was three years before J. J. Fad returned with a follow-up album. Not Just a Fad was released in 1991, produced by Yella and overseen by Eazy, but failed to make an impact. The group disbanded shortly afterwards. DJ Train died in 1994 of smoke inhalation.
Present day
After almost two decades out of the music industry raising their families, the members of J. J. Fad reunited and started touring in 2009.
In 2006, Fergie used an interpolation of "Supersonic" in her song "Fergalicious", while in 2013 Eminem referenced J. J. Fad and "Supersonic" in his single "Rap God". "Supersonic" appeared in the music video game Dance Central 3 (2012), which J. J. Fad promoted on its Facebook page.
Discography
- 1988: Supersonic
- 1991: Not Just a Fad
References
- ^ http://jjfad.com/bio.html
- ^ RIAA Gold and Platinum Program Searchable Database. Retrieved 15 February 2015.
External links
- African-American musical groups
- African-American female rappers
- American dance girl groups
- Atco Records artists
- Female hip hop groups
- Musical groups established in 1985
- Musical groups disestablished in 1992
- Musical groups reestablished in 2009
- People from Rialto, California
- Ruthless Records artists
- West Coast hip hop groups