In the late 80’s through early 90’s, Miami-Bass groups such as 2 Live Crew and Poison Clan were sure to get a party started. Despite being in high demand on the streets, they were restricted from mainstream radio due to sexual explicit content.
By the mid-90’s, 69 Boyz, among others, would help bring the subgenre into heavy rotation with radio friendly hits like “Tootsie Roll” and “Woof Woof.” During an interview with The Radio Angels of Atlanta, HHAD’s extended family, Thrill Da Playa, the front man of the Orlando Florida-based group, reveals that it was all by design.
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“It created a lane for us to make that kind of sound that radio could gravitate to,” Thrill says. “Which that’s why our sound was the Florida Bass sound, but just had more commercial and mainstream appeal.”
Thrill admits that, at the time, the sound was still new, therefore record companies initially weren’t knocking on the doors. Like Uncle Luke, it forced them to perfect the independent game over 20 years ago.
“By the time the labels came around with the deal, we had already sold a million records. For us, they made us wait for so long that we had already learned the system and how to do it.”
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With southern gems under their belts like, 199Quad and The Wait Is Over, and music featured on 13 movie soundtracks including Dr. Dolittle, Bad Boys, Nothing to Loose, and among others, I think it’s safe to say that 69 Boyz has made their mark on Southern Hip Hop.
Today, the trio are still releasing projects independently such as their new single, “My Girl,” and mixtape, Bass Ain’t Dead Vol.1. Vol. 2 is scheduled for release in August. It will feature other Bass artists of the era such as Kilo Ali, MC Shy D, and Dis N Dat, among others.
Despite no longer being a mainstream act, 69 Boyz continue to pack out shows as if it were the 90’s. Listen to the full interview to find out what Thrill credited the longevity to.
[“Hip Hop Roundtable” by HHAD podcast coming SOON!]
Watch Full Interview Below:
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