Things That Make You Say WTF???

Things That Make You Go Hmmm - C&C Music Factory feat. Freedom Williams

"I was at the crib sittin' by the fireplace, drinking cocoa on the bear skin rug..."
Now if that isn't an opening line, I don't know what is. And for the record, you all don't have to front cause you all know that you know this track...(as he crosses fingers in hopes that he isn't the only one...).

Anyhow, because it's Dance Hop week here at The Funk I figured that I'd lay a little "Pop Dance Rap" on yawl asses. Remember this epidemic? You had groups like C&C, Snap, and PM Dawn who were all over the radio/MTV type stations. Funny thing was that you would never really see these groups or their videos on Rap City back then (maybe you'd catch "I Got The Power" now and then), unlike the assimilation that goes on today. I guess that's what happens when creativity goes out the window. Oh and yeah, you get bought out by a large corporate entity. But hey, Bob owns the Bobcats now, so it's cool if Rap City is more like Rap Corner now (sarcasm intended). Here is a little rundown of the C&C History:

C+C Music Factory wasn't really a group -- it was the product of Robert Clivillés and David Cole, two pop-savvy dance producers. In 1989, Clivillés and Cole hired all the singers and created all the tracks for Gonna Make You Sweat, C+C Music Factory's first album. While it was prepackaged, it wasn't necessarily faceless; in Freedom Williams, the producers had a solid, if not original or distinctive, rapper. What was really important to the success of the album was how Clivillés and Cole assembled the tracks, melding hip-hop and club sensibilities to mindlessly catchy pop songs. The three hit singles -- "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)," "Here We Go," "Things That Make You Go Hmmmm..." -- were very good pop singles, and all of them were massive hits in early 1991.

After their moment in the sun, Williams left for an unsuccessful solo career and Clivillés and Cole released Greatest Remixes, Vol. 1, a collection of their work with C+C Music Factory as well as other artists; the album had a hit single with their re-recording of U2's "Pride."

C+C Music Factory released their second album, Anything Goes!, in the summer of 1994; it was a moderate hit, spending nine weeks on the charts. Unfortunately, it was the last album the duo ever made -- David Cole died of spinal meningitis in early 1995.

Speaking of the decline of our culture, me and my homie Keith Boogs have this thing where we'll point out the most ig'nant shit we see during the daily routine. It's pretty funny. Here is the latest:

So I was in Tower the other day to pick up a few CDs when I overheard this kid, who was 10 at best, go up to his dad and ask him if he could get a CD. Dad asked him which one. Kid showed him the new Tupac CD. Dad looked at it, shrugged his shoulders and took it with him to the counter. Now it may just be me but this type of shit is gut wrenching to me for two reasons. 1st being that the Dad has no business buying Tupac for his 10 year old. But that's up for debate, and as a non-parent I can't say if it's bad parenting or not. But 2nd, it leaves open that possibility that in a few years you are going to have a whole bunch of 12-13 year old white kids using the N word like it means nothing. Like it's cool or something. Like Public Enemy didn't exist. Like X-Clan or Arrested Development never happened. Shame really. But it's just my opinion. (Note to readers, we here at The Funk won't be going into much social commentary but if we feel the need to address something...we'll do it. That being said, it's back to the regular madness)

I remember listening to this song back when it came out because I was on my way to Select Basketball practice down at Dranesville Elementary and I was riding with Clarence and his pops and this was playing on the radio. It was PGC I think. The DJ came on and said that the US had just started bombing Iraq into oblivion in the official start of Desert Storm. Yes, that is how long ago this track came out.

But why is this important? Well at that practice I had a brand spanking new pair of Air Jordan 5s. I was the king of that practice, and for the rest of the week. I wore them things to school, to church, to get the mail, everywhere I could. I mean these shoes were the first purchase that I made off the previous summer's lawn mowing money. I can't even remember how many yards I plowed through. But I was the man for a very short period of time. Of course, being that young, I had no idea that you needed to take care of Jordans. Treat them like a fine women and pamper them...uh...oh, yeah. Needless to say, about 3 weeks later they looked like this. All the fame, the respect, and the girlies were Audi 5 Thousand. I have never really recovered. Sniff.

Cold Steady Lampin'-
Sibling After A.