Hip-hop Pioneers The Fat Boys Inducted Into Long Island Music & Entertainment Hall of Fame
Hip-hop trio The Fat Boys was inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame on Sunday to honor the group’s iconic and successful music career as pioneers of the rap genre.
The Fat Boys’ name and comedic take on their appearance led their journey into becoming a household name in the 1980s. The group’s road to success produced seven studio albums, four of which earned gold status.
The last surviving member of The Fat Boys, Kool Rock-Ski, accepted the honorary award for the trio. The induction, which was open to the public, took place at LIMEHOF’s Stony Brook Museum location for The 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop event featuring a special concert and panel discussion from artists such as Public Enemy’s DJ Johnny Juice, Son of Bazerk, and JVC Force’s AJ Rock.
“We are honored to pay tribute to the 50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop with a live concert
performed by some of hip hop’s most influential artists, all from Long Island,”’ LIMEHOF Chairman Ernie Canadeo said in a press release. “It is a testament to Long Island’s prominent and continuing role in hip-hop’s legacy.”
Originating from Brooklyn, The Fat Boys, who originally branded themselves as The Disco 3, are known for popular hits such as “The Fat Boys are Back,” “Can You Feel It?” “Pump It Up” and “Wipeout,” which they recorded in collaboration with the American rock band The Beach Boys on their album Crushin’ which went platinum.
The American trio consisting of Mark “Prince Markie Dee” Morales, Damon “Kool Rock-Ski” and Darren “Buff Love” Robinson was one of the first rap groups to release full length albums in the hip-hop genre. They were known for their lighthearted rhymes, energetic performances, unique spin on rap, and their use of beatboxing.
It didn’t stop at music for The Fat Boys. In addition to their successful music career, they were featured in movies and documentaries, including The Disorderlies, Knights of the City and documentaries Krush Groove and UNSUNG
The Fat Boys’ legacy being inducted into LIMEHOF reserves them a seat next to some familiar faces and friends. Kurtis Blow, a fellow inductee, produced two of The Fat Boys’ albums and has an impressive resume producing music for some of the biggest names in hip-hop and most notably known for his part in building the career of Run DMC, one of the most iconic artists of his generation.
The Fat Boys’ sit next to artists such as Billy Joel, LL Cool J, Barbara Streisand, Tony Bennett, Neil Diamond, Mariah Carey, Joan Jett, Cyndi Lauper, Public Enemy, and many more icons who are known for representing Long Island and New York City in the music industry throughout the years.
