Straight Out the Jungle

Straight Out the Jungle is the debut album from Hip-Hop group Jungle Brothers was released on November 8, 1988 under Warlock Records. The album marked the beginning of the Native Tongues collective, which later featured popular artists such as De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest and Black Sheep. In 1998, the album was selected as one of The Source's 100 Best Rap Albums Ever. The album received a perfect 5-of-five rating from The Source Magazine and was the first album from the Native Tongues posse, which would utterly transform Hip-Hop over the next few years.

Mike Gee (Michael Small, b. unknown), DJ Sammy B (Sammy Burwell, b. unknown), and Afrika Baby Bam (Nathaniel Hall, b. 1970) came together as the Jungle Brothers in the mid-'80s. Known as the pioneers of the fusion of Jazz, Hip-Hop, and House Music, they were the first Hip-Hop group to collaborate with a House-Music producer. The trio released their debut album, Straight out the Jungle in July 1988. Fostered by Kool DJ Red Alert, the Jungle Brothers success would pave the way for De La Soul, A Tribe Called Quest, and eventually the Native Tongues collective that they founded.