Target (big box retailer in the US) has been pumping a cover of Tom Tom Club’s “Genius of Love”, but I always remember this tune as what introduced me to the classic…
Title: Genius Rap
Artist: Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde
Label: Profile
Genre(s): Rap, Hip-Hop
Year released: 1981
While the Tom Tom Club were the originator of that famous keyboard rift, it was the duo of Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde that first introduced the sound to me. I had attained a copy of the first volume of the famed hip-hop compilation “Mr. Magic’s Rap Attack”, and “Genius Rap” was on side B. I just loved the light-hearted vibe of the tune, and played it to death.
The duo were also known as Andre Harrell and Alonzo Brown. They would attempt to differentiate themselves from the bevvy of rappers in track suits or simple street clothing by maintaining a very high-class corporate fashion, complete with suits and styled hair. While not an all-time anthem of hip-hop, “Genius Rap” was the first tune to sample “Genius of Love”, and it always held fold childhood memories in my heart.
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