Fat Boys

 The Fat Boys, a pioneering American hip-hop trio from Brooklyn, New York, emerged in the early 1980s. Initially known as the Disco 3, the group comprised Mark "Prince Markie Dee" Morales, Damon "Kool Rock-Ski" Wimbley, and Darren "Buff Love" Robinson.

The trio gained widespread recognition for their innovative use of beatboxing in their songs, paving the way for beatboxers like Biz Markie and Doug E. Fresh. Notably, The Fat Boys, alongside acts like Run-D.M.C., Whodini, and Kurtis Blow, were among the first to release full-length rap albums, contributing significantly to the early development of hip hop.

Known for their comedic and self-deprecating rhymes, The Fat Boys released seven studio albums, with four achieving Gold status by the RIAA. Their early albums, produced by Kurtis Blow, featured successful singles like "Jail House Rap," "Can You Feel It?," "Fat Boys," "Stick 'Em," "Don't You Dog Me," "All You Can Eat," "The Fat Boys Are Back," and "Pump It Up."

The group extended their presence beyond music, starring in three feature films during the 1980s: "Krush Groove," "Knights of the City," and "Disorderlies."

Mark Morales, "Prince Markie Dee" (February 19, 1968 – February 18, 2021)
Damon Wimbley, "Kool Rock-Ski" (born November 9, 1966)
Darren Robinson, "The Human Beat Box" and "Buff Love" (June 10, 1967 – December 10, 1995)

The Fat Boys' journey began in 1983 when they won the "Tin Pan Apple After Dark Dance & Rap Contest." They gained attention with their song "Stick' Em," securing a recording contract. The group's participation in the Fresh Fest Tour '84, despite initial skepticism from Russell Simmons, solidified their growing popularity.

The group's unique sense of humor led to collaborations with Swatch for commercials, pioneering hip-hop's presence on MTV. They starred in films like "Krush Groove" and "Disorderlies," contributing to hip hop's visibility in mainstream media.

The album "Crushin'" achieved Platinum status, propelled by the success of their single "Wipeout" recorded with The Beach Boys. The formula repeated in the album "Coming Back Hard Again," which gained Gold status with the hit "The Twist (Yo, Twist)" featuring Chubby Checker.

Despite early success, changing listener preferences led to a decline. Prince Markie Dee left in 1990 for a solo career, and the group disbanded in 1991. Buff Love passed away in 1995.

The surviving members reunited in 2008, expressing plans for a reality TV show and recording new music. Prince Markie Dee's death in 2021 marked the end of an era. Kool Rock-Ski remains the last surviving member, reflecting on The Fat Boys' enduring impact on hip hop.