"Way Out" by J.J. Fad

Song#:  3645

Date:  09/17/1988

Debut:  98

Peak:  61

Weeks:  9

Genre:  Rap

Pop Bits:  This female rap trio made an impression with their first single, "Supersonic." The song would end up being a gold seller that got to #22 R&B/#30 Pop/#10 Dance. To follow-it up, this track from their debut album Supersonic would be issued out. It wouldn't do as well as their first single only getting to #61 Pop/#51 R&B. The tune didn't do much for album sales, but by this point in time the LP had already peaked at #20 R&B/#49 Pop and gone gold.

ReduxReview:  "Supersonic" was a terrific track and while this follow up didn't quite get to the same level, it was still a solid track. It was a hooky tune that was a fun listen. I also liked the addition of the guitar sample from The Monkees' 1966 track "Mary, Mary." (Just a couple months earlier, Run-D.M.C. covered "Mary Mary"). I bought the single and thought it would be another good hit for the trio, but it surprisingly stalled in the bottom half of both the Pop and R&B charts. "Supersonic" rightfully gets all the love and attention, but folks shouldn't have ignored this little gem.

ReduxRating:  7/10

Trivia:  While J.J. Fad is usually seen as a female rap trio with Juana Burns (aka MC J.B.), Dania Birks (Baby-D), Michelle Franklin (Sassy C.), the group also had a side member. DJ Train (Clarence Lars) would man the turntable for the trio and provide the scratching behind the tunes. He would do so on the group's debut album and on their 1990 follow up. However, J.J. Fad was not his only project. In 1989, he would help form the gangsta rap outfit C.P.O. (Capital Punishment Organization) with Vince "Lil' Nation" Edwards. They would release an album in 1990 titled To Hell and Black. Although none of their singles would reach the charts, the album would get to #33 R&B. It would be the group's only album. Sadly, in 1994 DJ Train died of smoke inhalation due to a house fire. It seems that his mother, sisters and niece made it out fine, but Train thought there were two more people inside and ran in to get them. It was a fatal mistake as he was then overcome by the smoke. He passed away later at a local hospital.

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