UTFO


UTFO was an American old-school hip hop group from Brooklyn, New York City.
The group consisted of Kangol Kid, Educated Rapper, Doctor Ice, and Mix Master Ice. The group's best-known single is "Roxanne, Roxanne," a widely acclaimed and hip hop classic, which created a sensation on the hip hop scene soon after it was released and inspired a record-high of 25 answer records in a single year, with estimates ultimately spawning over 100. The most notable remake was done by Marley Marl's protégée Roxanne Shanté, which led to hip hop's first rap beef. "Roxanne, Roxanne" was originally the B-side of the lesser-known single "Hangin' Out." Due to personal issues, Educated Rapper was absent for its second effort, Skeezer Pleezer, which produced one notable track with the song "Split Personality." EMD was, however, on one album track, "Pick Up The Pace", also featured in the movie Krush Groove.
In 2008, “Roxanne, Roxanne” was ranked number 84 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

History

Kangol Kid and Doctor Ice were originally known as The Keystone Dancers and were a dance duet, before going on to be dancers for Whodini. Eventually, they went on to form UTFO in their hometown of Brooklyn, New York City, New York. In 1984, the group signed with Fred Munao's Select Records, and, in the same year, it released its hit single "Roxanne Roxanne." The group's debut album was produced by R&B group Full Force. Full Force brought in New York's sound and sampling wizard, Gary Pozner, to help create the sounds and the beats. This was one of the first instances of the new sampling machine, the E-mu Emulator, used on a commercially released record.
While UTFO no longer operates as a group, it is all still very active in the field. Doc is currently back to dancing for Whodini while also pursuing his solo career. Mixmaster Ice DJs in Columbus, Ohio, and around the world. Kangol Kid still writes and produces; With Shaunda Lumpkin he founded the Mama Luke Foundation, hip hop's weapon against Breast Cancer.
On June 3, 2017, Campbell died following a battle with cancer.
The members of UTFO were the first breakdancers to appear on The Phil Donahue Show.

Discography

Albums