Happy New Year!!! Welcome back for the first edition of West Coast Wednesday for 2024. Often, the contributions of women in industries are overlooked only to later or never be commemorated. TNW would like to shine a massive spotlight on the West Coast hip-hop legends JJ FAD. The rap trio from Rialto, California was originally comprised of members Juana, Juanita, Fatima, Anna, and Dania which created the acronym JJ FAD. The rap group experienced changes with membership and decided to keep the group name, changing its meaning to Just Jammin Fresh & Def.
JJ FAD formed in 1985 and were the first artists signed to Ruthless Records with the backing of N.W.A.'s Eazy- E. JJ FAD saw huge success as the first West Coast female rap group with their biggest hit 'Supersonic' and hits 'Is it Love' and 'Way Out' rounding off their top 3 music singles. 'Supersonic' was the label's biggest hit record and Single certified Gold, and it is rumored that the group's success funded N.W.A's Straight out of Compton debut album. After the release of their sophomore album Just A FAD, JJ FAD parted due to the unsuccess of the album along with other music business formalities. But their success did not stop there; the great thing about an impactful artist is that long after their prime has occurred the art created will forever be an imprint of their contribution and sought after. JJ FAD's "Supersonic' has been sampled throughout the years by various music artists and mainstream films; in 2006 Fergie sampled the legendary song for her single 'Fergalicious' and the 2020 film "Sonic the Hedgehog" featured the group. The city of Rialto honored the natives with a street named in their honor in 2022; a gesture long overdue for the Inland Empire (I.E.) Queens.
Check out "Watts Up" with R & B Artist Kenyon Dixon!
Singer, songwriter, and proud Watts, California local is no amateur at singing sweet somethings, serenading his fans with the melodies of his musical pen. Kenyon has worked alongside R&B greats Beyonce' and Usher and shared that his passion for music is innate being that he descends from a musically inclined bloodline, which is evident by the quality of his work with a sound that preserves the authenticity of R&B. Kenyon released singles, 'Lucky', 'Slow Dancing', and 'Pressure' in 2023 from his album "The R&B You Love", currently available on all music platforms. Two of my faves are 'Good Love' and '2000's R&B' featuring R.L. of 'Next". Kenyon's music is very reminiscent of the R&B music I listened to during my childhood. It ignites the nostalgia of puppy love and 1st crushes. I appreciate his willingness to be an understudy to artists who have made milestones within the genre'; an element missing from many of today's music artists. Salute to you, Mr. Dixon. If you are an R&B lover looking for the 90's early 2000's sound, go ahead and press play!
Comments