Talking That Jazz

In 1988, the Rap group Stetsasonic recorded and released the single “Talkin’ All That Jazz,” which was produced by Daddy-O under Tommy Boy Records. The song was a response to criticism that Hip-Hop sampling was lazy and uncreative.

Stetsasonic is a Hip-Hop band formed in 1981 in Brooklyn, New York. Members included Prince Paul (Paul Edward Huston, b.1967), MC Delite (Marvin Shahid Wright, b. unknown), Wise (Leonardo Roman, b. 1965), Daddy-O (Glenn K. Bolton, b. unknown), and Frukwan (Bobby Simmons, b. unknown). Stetsasonic was one of the first Hip-Hop groups to perform with a band and use live instrumentation in their recordings. The group consisted of DJs, keyboardists, drummers, and rappers. Stetsasonic was also among the first to promote a positive black consciousness in their music, which spoke to the issues of Black life. Signed to Tommy Boy, their debut album, On Fire, was released in 1986 and was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums.