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{{short description|American hip hop group}}
{{short description|American hip hop group}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
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| associated_acts = Jam-On Productions<br/>Sha-Lor
| associated_acts = Jam-On Productions<br/>Sha-Lor
| website =
| website =
| current_members = Yvette "Lady E" Cenac (née Cook)<br/>Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac<br/>Monique "Nique D" Crafton (née Angevin)<br/>
| current_members = Yvette "Lady E" Cenac (née Cook)<br/>Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac<br/>Monique "Nique D" Crafton (née Angevin)<br/>
| past_members = Denise "Niecy D" Williams<br/>Bob "Chilly B" Crafton (deceased)
| past_members = Denise "Niecy D" Williams<br/>Bob "Chilly B" Crafton (deceased)

}}
}}


'''Newcleus''' was an American [[Electro music|electro]] and [[old school hip hop]] group that gained popularity in the early 1980s. The group is primarily known for its [[12-inch single]] "Jam-On's Revenge" (re-released as "Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)" (1983)) and "Jam on It" (1984).
'''Newcleus''' was an American [[Electro music|electro]] and [[old school hip hop]] group that gained popularity in the early 1980s. The group is primarily known for its [[12-inch single]] "Jam-On's Revenge" (re-released as "Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)" (1983)) and "Jam on It" (1984), which began as an anti-rap joke, according to founding member DJ and producer Ben Cenac. <blockquote>At the time (1981) we were going by the name Positive Messenger and were making music that had a purpose, either messages of love or faith or talking about the conditions of the world. However, we were still doing lots of Hip-Hop jams with our DJ crew Jam-On Productions. So, one of our DJs, Salvador Smooth, kept nagging me to do a Rap song. Having come out of Hip-Hop street battles in Brooklyn in the ’70s, I didn't really think much of the Rap records that were playing on the radio, so I figured as a joke I would make a parody jam ... I threw in an idea from an [event] that actually had happened in the ’70s, when a DJ who we had just blown out in a battle said to me "Yeah, you guys are bad, but you can't do this… wikki wikki wikki wikki," meaning how we didn't scratch on the turntables. </blockquote><blockquote>I used to play "Jam-On's Revenge" at our parties and it would fill the dance floor, so even though I had never planned to release it, when I was shopping Positive Messenger for a deal I put it on the tape just to fill out space at the end. Turned out it ended up being the track that drove everybody crazy! So, we went with it and changed our names to Newcleus."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://testpressing.org/feature/interview-ben-cenac-newcleus-dream-2-science-push-pull/|title=Interview / Ben Cenac / Newcleus / Dream 2 Science / Push Pull|last=Pressing|first=Test|website=Test Pressing|access-date=2019-03-05}}</ref> </blockquote>The group was based in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/arts/music/04crafton.html|title=Robert Crafton III, Bassist and Rapper, Dies at 47|last=Kenner|first=Rob|date=March 3, 2010|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 5, 2019|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Their appearance overlapped with the formative years of hip-hop DJing in the Bronx.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/journeymen-rappers/the-birth-and-infancy-of-hip-hop-ade19b03f958|title=The Birth and Infancy of Hip Hop|last=Play|first=Long|date=November 9, 2015|website=Journeymen Rappers|access-date=March 5, 2019}}</ref>
The beat from their 1984-song "Automan" was adapted by [[euro-dance]] project "[[Snap!]]" for their 1992-release "[[Rhythm is a Dancer]]" which featured lyrics written and performed by American singer and songwriter [[Thea Austin]] as well as rap vocals by American [[rapper]] [[Turbo B]] and became a major international hit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/micro-chop/snap-s-rhythm-is-a-dancer-sampled-the-synth-in-nucleus-s-automan-for-18c972b94ef7|title=Snap!'s "Rhythm is a Dancer" Sampled the Synth in Newcleus' "Auto Man"|date=August 22, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.whosampled.com/sample/769/Snap!-Rhythm-Is-a-Dancer-Newcleus-Auto-Man/|title=Snap!'s 'Rhythm is a Dancer' - Discover the Sample Source|website=[[WhoSampled]]}}</ref>


The group was based in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/04/arts/music/04crafton.html|title=Robert Crafton III, Bassist and Rapper, Dies at 47|last=Kenner|first=Rob|date=March 3, 2010|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=March 5, 2019|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Their appearance overlapped with the formative years of hip-hop DJing in the Bronx.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/journeymen-rappers/the-birth-and-infancy-of-hip-hop-ade19b03f958|title=The Birth and Infancy of Hip Hop|last=Play|first=Long|date=November 9, 2015|website=Journeymen Rappers|access-date=March 5, 2019}}</ref>
==Formation==
A precursor to the group, known as '''Jam-On Productions''', was formed in 1977 in [[Brooklyn]], New York City, and included teenagers Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac and his cousins Monique and Pierre "Pete" Angevin.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p19565|pure_url=yes}} |title= Biography |first= John |last= Bush |publisher= AllMusic |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> The group's popularity grew as it played [[block party|block parties]] in Brooklyn. By 1979, the primary group's members were Cenac, Yvette "Lady E" Cook (who would later marry Cozmo D), Monique Angevin, and Bob "Chilly B" Crafton (who would later marry Angevin).<ref name= "AMG"/> The coming together of families inspired the name change to Newcleus.<ref name="AMG"/>


The beat from their 1984-song "Automan" was adapted by [[euro-dance]] project "[[Snap!]]" for their 1992-release "[[Rhythm is a Dancer]]" which featured lyrics written and performed by American singer and songwriter [[Thea Austin]] as well as rap vocals by American [[rapper]] [[Turbo B]] and became a major international hit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/micro-chop/snap-s-rhythm-is-a-dancer-sampled-the-synth-in-nucleus-s-automan-for-18c972b94ef7|title=Snap!'s "Rhythm is a Dancer" Sampled the Synth in Newcleus' "Auto Man"|date=December 7, 2016|first=Gino|last=Sorcinelli}}</ref>
==Singles==
Newcleus recorded "Jam-On Revenge," a block-party favorite featuring vocals that were sped up.<ref name="AMG"/> The track impressed record producer Joe Webb, and it became the group's first single in 1983 on Mayhew Records.<ref name= "AMG"/> Retitled as "Jam On Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)", the track reached the [[Top 40]] on the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] [[record chart|chart]].<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="AMG Singles">{{cite web |url={{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p19565|pure_url=yes}} |title= Newcleus Charts & Awards (singles) |publisher= AllMusic |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> The group eventually signed with [[Sunnyview Records]], which was later acquired by Rhino Records in the 1990s.


==History==
The follow-up, "Jam on It," did well on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], reaching No. 56.<ref name= "AMG"/><ref name="AMG Singles"/> "Computer Age (Push the Button)" reached the R&B Top 40.<ref name= "AMG"/> The Cenacs and the Craftons continued to record until 1989.<ref name="AMG"/>
===Formation===
A precursor to the group, known as '''Jam-On Productions''', was formed in 1977 in [[Brooklyn]], New York City, and included teenagers Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac and his cousins Monique and Pierre "Pete" Angevin.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/newcleus-mn0000390772#biography|title= Newcleus Biography |first= John |last= Bush |publisher= AllMusic |access-date=March 11, 2009}}</ref> The group's popularity grew as it played [[block party|block parties]] in Brooklyn. By 1979, the primary group's members were Cenac, Yvette "Lady E" Cook (who would later marry Cozmo D), Monique Angevin, and Bob "Chilly B" Crafton (who would later marry Angevin).<ref name= "AMG"/> The coming together of families inspired the name change to Newcleus.<ref name="AMG"/>


==Albums==
===Success===
Newcleus recorded "Jam-On Revenge," a block-party favorite featuring vocals that were sped up.<ref name="AMG"/> The track impressed record producer Joe Webb, and it became the group's first single in 1983 on Mayhew Records.<ref name= "AMG"/> Retitled as "Jam On Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)", the track reached the [[top 40]] on the US [[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|R&B]] [[record chart|chart]].<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="Awards">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/newcleus-mn0000390772/awards |title= Newcleus Charts & Awards |publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=March 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150520050944/https://www.allmusic.com/artist/newcleus-mn0000390772/awards|archive-date=May 20, 2015}}</ref> The group eventually signed with [[Sunnyview Records]], which was later acquired by Rhino Records in the 1990s.
Neither Newcleus album, ''[[Jam on Revenge]]'' nor ''Space Is the Place'', sold well.<ref name= "AMG" /> ''Jam on Revenge'' is now regarded as a classic,{{Citation needed|date=May 2022}} not only because of the well-known singles, but also because of album cuts such as "Destination Earth."


The follow-up, "Jam on It," did well on the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]], reaching No. 56.<ref name= "AMG"/><ref name="Awards"/> Both singles began as an anti-rap joke, according to founding member DJ and producer Ben Cenac. <blockquote>At the time (1981) we were going by the name Positive Messenger and were making music that had a purpose, either messages of love or faith or talking about the conditions of the world. However, we were still doing lots of Hip-Hop jams with our DJ crew Jam-On Productions. So, one of our DJs, Salvador Smooth, kept nagging me to do a Rap song. Having come out of Hip-Hop street battles in Brooklyn in the ’70s, I didn't really think much of the Rap records that were playing on the radio, so I figured as a joke I would make a parody jam ... I threw in an idea from an [event] that actually had happened in the ’70s, when a DJ who we had just blown out in a battle said to me "Yeah, you guys are bad, but you can't do this… wikki wikki wikki wikki," meaning how we didn't scratch on the turntables. </blockquote><blockquote>I used to play "Jam-On's Revenge" at our parties and it would fill the dance floor, so even though I had never planned to release it, when I was shopping Positive Messenger for a deal I put it on the tape just to fill out space at the end. Turned out it ended up being the track that drove everybody crazy! So, we went with it and changed our names to Newcleus."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://testpressing.org/feature/interview-ben-cenac-newcleus-dream-2-science-push-pull/|title=Interview / Ben Cenac / Newcleus / Dream 2 Science / Push Pull|last=Pressing|first=Test|website=Test Pressing|access-date=2019-03-05}}</ref> </blockquote>

A third release, "Computer Age (Push the Button)" reached the R&B top 40.<ref name= "AMG"/> Newcleus released two albums in the mid-1980s, ''[[Jam on Revenge]]'' and ''Space Is the Place'', although neither sold well.<ref name= "AMG" /> The Cenacs and the Craftons continued to record until 1989.<ref name="AMG"/>

===Later years===
The group released several albums during the following years, but these were the creations of producers putting out material under the Newcleus name. Some of these featured classic Newcleus tracks touted as live versions (but simply added crowd noise atop the original tracks).
The group released several albums during the following years, but these were the creations of producers putting out material under the Newcleus name. Some of these featured classic Newcleus tracks touted as live versions (but simply added crowd noise atop the original tracks).


In 2005, Cozmo D released an album, ''Destination Earth: The Definitive Newcleus Recordings'', a collection of [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] tracks from the group's entire catalog. This collection superseded the [[Rhino Records|Rhino/Atlantic Records]] [[compilation album|compilation]] ''Jam on This! The Best of Newcleus''. The majority of the songs on this release were restored and remastered from the original master tapes. The definitive versions of the songs "Destination Earth" and "Why" taken from this CD were also released on [[12-inch]] [[vinyl album|vinyl]] on the German record label Dominance Electricity. Together with [[remix]]es by Sbassship and Reeno, the cover illustrations are by [[Bill Wray]] (known for his work on the 1990s cult TV cartoon ''[[The Ren & Stimpy Show]]'').
In 2005, Cozmo D released an album, ''Destination Earth: The Definitive Newcleus Recordings'', a collection of [[Hip hop music|hip-hop]] tracks from the group's entire catalog. This collection superseded the [[Rhino Records|Rhino/Atlantic Records]] [[compilation album|compilation]] ''Jam on This! The Best of Newcleus''. The majority of the songs on this release were restored and remastered from the original master tapes. The definitive versions of the songs "Destination Earth" and "Why" taken from this CD were also released on [[12-inch]] [[vinyl album|vinyl]] on the German record label Dominance Electricity. Together with [[remix]]es by Sbassship and Reeno, the cover illustrations are by [[Bill Wray]] (known for his work on the 1990s cult TV cartoon ''[[The Ren & Stimpy Show]]'').

Newcleus is working on a second collection titled ''Returned to Earth'', a companion volume to ''Destination Earth'', which will collect all of its [[electro (music)|electro]] works onto one disc, restored and remastered from the original tapes.


Although both Newcleus albums, ''Jam on Revenge'' and ''Space Is the Place'', have been remastered and reissued on CD, the song "Where's the Beat" from ''Jam on Revenge'' was removed from the track listing because Sunnyview insisted on including the track on the original album, even though it was not recorded or produced by the group. These albums were previously available in the United States only on vinyl and [[compact cassette|audio cassette]]. However, both albums' original track listing and cover art were also available on CD, manufactured and distributed by Bellaphon Germany through Sunnyview Records in 1988.
Although both Newcleus albums, ''Jam on Revenge'' and ''Space Is the Place'', have been remastered and reissued on CD, the song "Where's the Beat" from ''Jam on Revenge'' was removed from the track listing because Sunnyview insisted on including the track on the original album, even though it was not recorded or produced by the group. These albums were previously available in the United States only on vinyl and [[compact cassette|audio cassette]]. However, both albums' original track listing and cover art were also available on CD, manufactured and distributed by Bellaphon Germany through Sunnyview Records in 1988.

Chilly B died at age 47 of a stroke on February 23, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/38035-chilly-b-of-newcleus-rip/ |title=Chilly B of Newcleus R.I.P.| first= Tom| last= Breihan| website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date= February 26, 2010 |access-date=April 17, 2012}}</ref>


==Media appearances==
==Media appearances==
Line 46: Line 48:


Newcleus' songs have been used in several video games. "Computer Age" appears in ''[[Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX]]'', and "Jam On It" appears in both ''[[Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2]]'' and ''[[DJ Hero 2]]'', the latter featuring a newly re-recorded version of the song.
Newcleus' songs have been used in several video games. "Computer Age" appears in ''[[Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX]]'', and "Jam On It" appears in both ''[[Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2]]'' and ''[[DJ Hero 2]]'', the latter featuring a newly re-recorded version of the song.

==Personal matters==
Chilly B died at age 47 of a stroke on February 23, 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pitchfork.com/news/38035-chilly-b-of-newcleus-rip/ |title=Chilly B of Newcleus R.I.P.| first= Tom| last= Breihan| website= [[Pitchfork (website)|Pitchfork]] |date= February 26, 2010 |access-date=April 17, 2012}}</ref>


==Discography==
==Discography==

===Albums===
===Albums===
{| class="wikitable"
* 1984: ''[[Jam on Revenge]]'' (Sunnyview Records SUN 4901) – No. 84 [[UK Albums Chart|UK]]<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
|-
| first= David
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
| last= Roberts
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
| year= 2006
! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions
| title= British Hit Singles & Albums
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Record label
| edition= 19th
|-
| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited
! style="width:35px;"| <small>[[Billboard 200|US]]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
| location= London
! style="width:35px;"| <small>[[Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|US<br>R&B]]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
| isbn= 1-904994-10-5
! style="width:35px;"| <small>[[UK Albums Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book
| page= 393}}</ref>
| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited | location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 393}}</ref>
* 1985: ''Space Is the Place'' (Sunnyview Records SUN 4903)
|-
| 1984
| align="left"| ''[[Jam on Revenge]]''
| align=center | 93
| align=center | 15
| align=center | 84
| rowspan="2"| Sunnyview Records
|-
| 1985
| align="left"| ''Space Is the Place''
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 43
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1990
| align="left"| ''Jam on This''
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| Bellaphon Records
|-
| colspan="6" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart.
|}


===Compilations===
===Compilations===
* 1993: ''The Next Generation'' (Home Base/Hot Productions/Unidisc Records)
* 1990: ''Jam on This'' (Bellaphon Records 260-07-158)
* 1997: ''Jam on This! — The Best of Newcleus'' (Rhino/Atlantic)
* 1994: ''Next Generation'' (Unidisc Records SPLK-7230)
* 1997: ''Jam on This!—the Best of Newcleus'' (Rhino/Atlantic 72840)
* 1997: ''Jam for the 90's'' (Home Base Records)
* 1997: ''The Next Generation'' (Home Base/Hot Productions HTCD 66144-2)
* 2004: ''Destination: Earth — The Definitive Newcleus Recordings'' (Jam-On Productions)
* 2006: ''Newcleus Classic Double Pack'' (Deeplay Soultec)
* 2004: ''Destination: Earth—the Definitive Newcleus Recordings'' (Jam-On Productions JORCD 011)
* 2006: ''Newcleus Classic Double Pack'' (Deeplay Soultec D-TEC LP 1)


===Singles===
===Singles===
{| class="wikitable"
* 1983: "Jam-On Revenge Parts 1 and 2" (May Hew Records M-553)
|-
* 1984: "Jam On Revenge (The Wikki Wikki Song)" b/w "Jam On Revenge" (The Wikki Wikki Rap) / (Instrumental) (Sunnyview Records SUN 408)
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Year
* 1984: "Jam On It" (vocal/instrumental) (Sunnyview Records SUN 411) – #56 U.S.
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Title
* 1984: "Computer Age (Push the Button)" (vocal/instrumental) (Sunnyview Records SUN 416) – NOTE – The promotional issue features an otherwise unreleased Club Version with runs 8:55.
! scope="col" colspan="4"| Peak chart positions
* 1984: "Automan" (Special Edit) b/w "Where's the Beat" (Special Edit) / Automan (Dub Version) (Sunnyview Records SUN 420)
! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Album
* 1985: "Destination Earth (1999)" (New Version) b/w "Jam On Revenge" (Dub Versions 1 and 2) (Sunnyview Records SUN 422)
|-
* 1984: "Two Slices of Jam" (Sunnyview Records SUNYL 103)
! style="width:35px;"| <small>[[Billboard Hot 100|US]]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
* 1985: "I Wanna Be a B-Boy" (Sunnyview Records SUN 425)
! style="width:35px;"| <small>[[Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs|US R&B]]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
* 1985: "Let's Jam" (Sunnyview Records SUN 427)
! style="width:35px;"| <small>[[Dance Club Songs|US Dance]]</small><br><ref name="Awards"/>
* 1985: "Space Is the Place"/"Cyborg Dance" (Sunnyview Records SUN 429)
! style="width:35px;"| <small>[[UK Singles Chart|UK]]</small><br><ref name="UK">{{cite web |title=NEWCLEUS songs and albums - full Official Chart history |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/artist/20868/newcleus/ |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=May 12, 2024}}</ref>
* 1986: "Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)" (Powderworks POWT 0321) – #44 [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>
|-
* 1986: "Na Na Beat" (Sunnyview Records SUN 436)
| 1983
* 1987: "Huxtable House Party" (Super Power Records HSE 1232)
| "Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)"
* 1988: "Mega Mix" (12" mixed) (Bellaphon Records 120.07.271)
| align=center | ―
* 1988: "She's Bad" (Super Power Records HAL 1253)
| align=center | 26
* 1988: "We're So Hyped!" (Super Power Records HAL 1277)
| align=center | ―
* 1990: "50 Ways to Get Funky"/"Jam for the '90's" (May Hew Records 101, 102)
| align=center | 44
* 1990: "Jam on This" (Bellaphon 120-07-383)
| rowspan="5"| ''Jam on Revenge''
* 1992: "Jam on It"/"Ex'tra T's Boogie" <small>(with the Extra T's)</small> (Hot Classics HCL 2229)
|-
* 1993: "Baby I Love You" ''(Home Base HB 5073) <small>(as Newcleus and The Next Generation)</small>
| rowspan="3"| 1984
* 1994: "Wikki Wikki"/"Jam on It" / "Jam on This" (Unidisc SP5-1714)
| "Jam on It"
* 1999: "Jam on Revenge"/"E. T. Boogie" (Regal Recordings REG35)
| align=center | 56
| align=center | 9
| align=center | 16
| align=center | 89
|-
| "Computer Age (Push the Button)"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 31
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Automan"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| rowspan="4"| 1985
| "Destination Earth (1999)"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Space Is the Place"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| rowspan="4"| ''Space Is the Place''
|-
| "I Wanna Be a B-Boy"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 74
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| "Let's Jam"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 74
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1986
| "Na Na Beat"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | 77
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1987
| "Huxtable House Party"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| {{N/A}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1988
| "She's Bad"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| {{N/A}}
|-
| "We're So Hyped!"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| {{N/A}}
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1990
| "Jam on This"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| rowspan="2"| ''Jam on This''
|-
| "50 Ways to Get Funky"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
|-
| 1994
| "Trigger"
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| align=center | ―
| {{N/A}}
|-
| colspan="7" style="text-align:center; font-size:9pt;"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.
|}


===Remixes===
===Remixes===
* 2006: "Destination Earth" (Definitive version)—remixes by Sbassship and Reeno; released on Dominance Electricity Records, Germany
* 2006: "Destination Earth" (Definitive version) — remixes by Sbassship and Reeno; released on Dominance Electricity Records, Germany
* 2018: "Teknology – the Third Millennium Remixes" (Jam-On Recordings JOR 006)
* 2018: "Teknology – The Third Millennium Remixes" (Jam-On Recordings)


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 12:22, 12 May 2024

Newcleus
OriginBrooklyn, New York City
GenresElectro, boogie, old school hip hop, rap, breakdance
Years active1977–1990, 2007-2008, 2014-2019
LabelsMayhew
Sunnyview/Rhino/Jam-On Recordings
MembersYvette "Lady E" Cenac (née Cook)
Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac
Monique "Nique D" Crafton (née Angevin)
Past membersDenise "Niecy D" Williams
Bob "Chilly B" Crafton (deceased)

Newcleus was an American electro and old school hip hop group that gained popularity in the early 1980s. The group is primarily known for its 12-inch single "Jam-On's Revenge" (re-released as "Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)" (1983)) and "Jam on It" (1984).

The group was based in the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.[1] Their appearance overlapped with the formative years of hip-hop DJing in the Bronx.[2]

The beat from their 1984-song "Automan" was adapted by euro-dance project "Snap!" for their 1992-release "Rhythm is a Dancer" which featured lyrics written and performed by American singer and songwriter Thea Austin as well as rap vocals by American rapper Turbo B and became a major international hit.[3]

History

Formation

A precursor to the group, known as Jam-On Productions, was formed in 1977 in Brooklyn, New York City, and included teenagers Ben "Cozmo D" Cenac and his cousins Monique and Pierre "Pete" Angevin.[4] The group's popularity grew as it played block parties in Brooklyn. By 1979, the primary group's members were Cenac, Yvette "Lady E" Cook (who would later marry Cozmo D), Monique Angevin, and Bob "Chilly B" Crafton (who would later marry Angevin).[4] The coming together of families inspired the name change to Newcleus.[4]

Success

Newcleus recorded "Jam-On Revenge," a block-party favorite featuring vocals that were sped up.[4] The track impressed record producer Joe Webb, and it became the group's first single in 1983 on Mayhew Records.[4] Retitled as "Jam On Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)", the track reached the top 40 on the US R&B chart.[4][5] The group eventually signed with Sunnyview Records, which was later acquired by Rhino Records in the 1990s.

The follow-up, "Jam on It," did well on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching No. 56.[4][5] Both singles began as an anti-rap joke, according to founding member DJ and producer Ben Cenac.

At the time (1981) we were going by the name Positive Messenger and were making music that had a purpose, either messages of love or faith or talking about the conditions of the world. However, we were still doing lots of Hip-Hop jams with our DJ crew Jam-On Productions. So, one of our DJs, Salvador Smooth, kept nagging me to do a Rap song. Having come out of Hip-Hop street battles in Brooklyn in the ’70s, I didn't really think much of the Rap records that were playing on the radio, so I figured as a joke I would make a parody jam ... I threw in an idea from an [event] that actually had happened in the ’70s, when a DJ who we had just blown out in a battle said to me "Yeah, you guys are bad, but you can't do this… wikki wikki wikki wikki," meaning how we didn't scratch on the turntables.

I used to play "Jam-On's Revenge" at our parties and it would fill the dance floor, so even though I had never planned to release it, when I was shopping Positive Messenger for a deal I put it on the tape just to fill out space at the end. Turned out it ended up being the track that drove everybody crazy! So, we went with it and changed our names to Newcleus."[6]

A third release, "Computer Age (Push the Button)" reached the R&B top 40.[4] Newcleus released two albums in the mid-1980s, Jam on Revenge and Space Is the Place, although neither sold well.[4] The Cenacs and the Craftons continued to record until 1989.[4]

Later years

The group released several albums during the following years, but these were the creations of producers putting out material under the Newcleus name. Some of these featured classic Newcleus tracks touted as live versions (but simply added crowd noise atop the original tracks).

In 2005, Cozmo D released an album, Destination Earth: The Definitive Newcleus Recordings, a collection of hip-hop tracks from the group's entire catalog. This collection superseded the Rhino/Atlantic Records compilation Jam on This! The Best of Newcleus. The majority of the songs on this release were restored and remastered from the original master tapes. The definitive versions of the songs "Destination Earth" and "Why" taken from this CD were also released on 12-inch vinyl on the German record label Dominance Electricity. Together with remixes by Sbassship and Reeno, the cover illustrations are by Bill Wray (known for his work on the 1990s cult TV cartoon The Ren & Stimpy Show).

Although both Newcleus albums, Jam on Revenge and Space Is the Place, have been remastered and reissued on CD, the song "Where's the Beat" from Jam on Revenge was removed from the track listing because Sunnyview insisted on including the track on the original album, even though it was not recorded or produced by the group. These albums were previously available in the United States only on vinyl and audio cassette. However, both albums' original track listing and cover art were also available on CD, manufactured and distributed by Bellaphon Germany through Sunnyview Records in 1988.

Chilly B died at age 47 of a stroke on February 23, 2010.[7]

Media appearances

"Jam On It" is heard in a Halloween party sequence in Blind, the first of non-fiction filmmaker Frederick Wiseman's four films released in 1986 about the Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind.

Newcleus' songs have been used in several video games. "Computer Age" appears in Mat Hoffman's Pro BMX, and "Jam On It" appears in both Dance Dance Revolution Ultramix 2 and DJ Hero 2, the latter featuring a newly re-recorded version of the song.

Discography

Albums

Year Album Peak chart positions Record label
US
[5] 		US
R&B
[5] 		UK
[8]
1984 Jam on Revenge 93 15 84 Sunnyview Records
1985 Space Is the Place ― 43 ―
1990 Jam on This ― ― ― Bellaphon Records
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilations

  • 1993: The Next Generation (Home Base/Hot Productions/Unidisc Records)
  • 1997: Jam on This! — The Best of Newcleus (Rhino/Atlantic)
  • 1997: Jam for the 90's (Home Base Records)
  • 2004: Destination: Earth — The Definitive Newcleus Recordings (Jam-On Productions)
  • 2006: Newcleus Classic Double Pack (Deeplay Soultec)

Singles

Year Title Peak chart positions Album
US
[5] 		US R&B
[5] 		US Dance
[5] 		UK
[9]
1983 "Jam on Revenge (The Wikki-Wikki Song)" ― 26 ― 44 Jam on Revenge
1984 "Jam on It" 56 9 16 89
"Computer Age (Push the Button)" ― 31 ― ―
"Automan" ― ― ― ―
1985 "Destination Earth (1999)" ― ― ― ―
"Space Is the Place" ― ― ― ― Space Is the Place
"I Wanna Be a B-Boy" ― 74 ― ―
"Let's Jam" ― 74 ― ―
1986 "Na Na Beat" ― 77 ― ―
1987 "Huxtable House Party" ― ― ― ― —
1988 "She's Bad" ― ― ― ― —
"We're So Hyped!" ― ― ― ― —
1990 "Jam on This" ― ― ― ― Jam on This
"50 Ways to Get Funky" ― ― ― ―
1994 "Trigger" ― ― ― ― —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory.

Remixes

  • 2006: "Destination Earth" (Definitive version) — remixes by Sbassship and Reeno; released on Dominance Electricity Records, Germany
  • 2018: "Teknology – The Third Millennium Remixes" (Jam-On Recordings)

References

  1. ^ Kenner, Rob (March 3, 2010). "Robert Crafton III, Bassist and Rapper, Dies at 47". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  2. ^ Play, Long (November 9, 2015). "The Birth and Infancy of Hip Hop". Journeymen Rappers. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  3. ^ Sorcinelli, Gino (December 7, 2016). "Snap!'s "Rhythm is a Dancer" Sampled the Synth in Newcleus' "Auto Man"".
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Bush, John. "Newcleus Biography". AllMusic. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g "Newcleus Charts & Awards". AllMusic. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015. Retrieved March 11, 2009.
  6. ^ Pressing, Test. "Interview / Ben Cenac / Newcleus / Dream 2 Science / Push Pull". Test Pressing. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  7. ^ Breihan, Tom (February 26, 2010). "Chilly B of Newcleus R.I.P." Pitchfork. Retrieved April 17, 2012.
  8. ^ Roberts, David (2006). British Hit Singles & Albums (19th ed.). London: Guinness World Records Limited. p. 393. ISBN 1-904994-10-5.
  9. ^ "NEWCLEUS songs and albums - full Official Chart history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
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