Despite what many perceive as “Bass” origins, a term given to electronic dance music (EDM) that became popular with European markets during the 2000s with influence from such genres as R&B, Hip-Hop, Grime, and many other electronic styles; in reality, Bass actually has “Southern” United States roots which predeceased the aforementioned misconception by more than a decade.
It was in the late 1980s and early 1990s that initially kicked off the Bass craze. Originally called “Booty” music, Bass and/or Miami Bass was at the forefront of something new and exciting; a diverse subgenre of Hip-Hop and Electro-Funk (“made popular in the early 1980s”) that took the United States by storm and created the “BASE” (“no pun intended”) for EDM, a category now enjoyed by all walks of life, particularly millennials.
Along the Interstate-95 (I-95) corridor in Jacksonville, Fl, Article "AB" Bartley, Carlos "Daddy Black" Spencer and Jay "Ski" McGowan formed a group that would one-day define an era and lay the framework to what’s become a world phenomena - the group called themselves 95 South. An era defined by the successes of L'Trimm, Tag Team, 69 Boyz, Quad City DJ's and Freak Nasty; 95 South stood alone as the kings of bass.
1993 was a pinnacle year for 95 South, it is the year that the iconic band released their smash hit "Whoot, There It Is" a single from their debut album Quad City Knock. Produced by C.C. Lemonhead and Jay "Ski" McGowan (“known as The Bass Mechanics”), “Whoot, There It Is” reached as high as #11 on the Billboard Hot 100, helping the album peak at #71 on the Billboard 200. Quad City Knock has become amongst the highest selling Miami Bass albums of all time and serving as inspiration for the generations that followed.
A band that was so influential to “Generation X” childhoods, and one who may not always be recognized by their band name 95 South - that is until you mention those key words like a previous conversation I had. “You know, “Whoot There It Is”” and my colleagues face lit up with excitement, proclaiming “Oh My God! Yes, I loved those guys, whatever happened to them, they were amazing?”
Which begs the question, whatever happened to these kings of bass?
The mid to late 1990s were extremely kind to the group; in 1995, they released their second album, One Mo' 'Gen, featuring their next hit single "Rodeo", an upbeat Miami Bass masterpiece that even inspired a “Booty Dance” subgenera by its own namesake, The Rodeo. Although never reaching as high on the charts as “Whoot, There It Is”, Rodeo reached #77 on the Billboard Hot 100, and performed tremendously with college markets.
Y2K, an impediment on the storage of calendar data, the “Feared” millennium bug that never was; or, perhaps its only casualties were that of the enigmatic bass forefathers. Since 2000, the era along with 95 South seem to have been forgotten by history, yet vaguely familiar; a Mandela Effect of sorts.
Though some of the faces have changed, now composed of members Michael “Mike-Mike” Phillips and Carlos “Daddy Black” Spencer, 95 South never stopped. They have toured continuously across the United States, and have headlined major festivals including Grad Bash, Colleges, and Private functions – including The Pepsi Funk Fest. The group has contributed to feature film, specifically the soundtrack for the movie Bring It On, with the song "Cheer for Me;" not to mention, major collaborations with such stars as Jordan Knight and the Dru Hill.”
Never the ones to shy away from diversification, 95 South continues to progress, recently Daddy Black and Mike-Mike began touring with a live four piece band, a way to add new dynamics to an ever evolving industry. Intent on leaving a lasting legacy, one which they gave birth to thirty years prior, 95 South is working harder than ever recently releasing their new single "After Party." The single is available now on Amazon Music, https://www.amazon.com/After-Party-Explicit-95-South/dp/B01NA7FZTY and on iTunes, https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/after-party-single/id1177797871.
To find out more about 95 South, please visit their interactive website at http://www.95southmusic.com/ where you can connect with them on social media, as well as find out their most recent news & happenings.