Whodini is an influential American hip hop trio that emerged in the early 1980s and was among the first to cultivate a high-profile national following for the genre. Formed in Brooklyn, New York, the group originally consisted of vocalist and main lyricist Jalil Hutchins, co-vocalist John Fletcher, aka Ecstasy, who was known for wearing a Zorro-style hat as his trademark; and turntable artist DJ Drew Carter, aka Grandmaster Dee. Their self-titled debut album "Whodini" was released in 1983, but it was their second album, "Escape," which included hits like "Friends" and "Freaks Come out at Night," that catapulted them to fame.

Whodini's contribution to hip-hop is marked by a string of classic hits and their pioneering blend of rap with R&B. They are also noted for their live performances and for being amongst the first to include official dancers as part of their stage show, helping to set a standard for the genre's presentation. The group continued to release successful records throughout the 1980s, such as "Back in Black" and "Open Sesame," but adapted less successfully to the changes in the hip hop landscape during the 1990s. Their last studio album, "Six," was released in 1996. Known for their catchy hooks and storytelling lyrics, Whodini's sound remains a significant and influential chapter in the evolution of hip hop music.

Genres

East Coast Hip Hop

Old School Hip Hop

Related Artists

LL COOL J

Public Enemy

The Sugarhill Gang

A Tribe Called Quest

Salt-N-Pepa

Naughty By Nature

De La Soul

Slick Rick

Kurtis Blow

Afrika Bambaataa

Digital Underground

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince

Latest Release

Open Sesame

Whodini

Album - 12 Tracks - Released February 17, 2017