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Friday, November 18, 2022

"Bust a Move" by Young MC

Top 10 Alert!
Platinum Record Alert!
Grammy Alert!
Song#:  3982
Date:  07/29/1989
Debut:  81
Peak:  7
Weeks:  39
Genre:  Rap


Pop Bits:  Born as Marvin Young in London, but raised in Queens, New York, this rapper got signed by Delicious Vinyl while attending USC. He would record a couple of tracks that were released in '88, but they failed to chart. During that time he also worked with labelmate Tone Lōc on his debut album co-writing two big hits, "Wild Thing" (#2) and "Funky Cold Medina" (#2). With those smashes under his belt, Young MC then recorded the track "Bust a Move" and it got pushed out. The tune slowly began moving up the charts finally peaking at #7 Pop, #7 Dance, and #9 R&B. However, the single stayed quite popular and made a very slow decent. It would eventually spend 39 weeks on the Pop chart, which was quite unusual. It would also hit the platinum sales mark. When the track began to shape up as a hit, Young MC quickly recorded a debut album that would be titled Stone Cold Rhymin'. Released in September when "Bust a Move" was still climbing the Pop chart, the LP would get to #9 Pop and #8 R&B. By the end of '89 it was certified platinum. The song would go on to earn Young MC the Grammy for Best Rap Performance.

ReduxReview:  Co-writers and producers Matt Dike and Michael Ross assembled a slammin' groove for this track. It was a great vehicle for Young MC's lyrics and rap. It also featured excellent enhancements via a female singer and a hip bass player (see below). This definitely had "hit" written all over it. The track was just too catchy to ignore. It's platinum status and lengthy time on the Pop chart made it one of the most popular and memorable rap hits of the late 80s.

ReduxRating:  8/10

Trivia:  Double Shot!  1) This track was built from several samples, but the most prominent one came from a semi-obscure 70s San Francisco jazz-rock band named Ballin' Jack. Formed in 1969, the band was signed to Columbia Records and issued out a self-titled debut album in 1970. A mid-section portion of the opening track on that LP, "Found a Child," would be sampled and used as the driving beat behind "Bust a Move." Ballin' Jack would only place one single on the Pop chart. "Super Highway" from their debut album would hit a minor #93. The LP would get to #181. The band would record one more album for Columbia and two more for Mercury, but they didn't attract much attention. The band would break up in '75.  2) The female vocal on this track was provided by Crystal Blake, a session singer and songwriter who these days it seems works in the hospitality industry as a caterer/chef. The bass was performed by Red Hot Chili Peppers member Flea. Both would appear in the music video for the song.

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