The Jungle Brothers are an American hip-hop group from New York City, known for their innovative fusion of hip-hop with elements of jazz, funk, and house music.
The Jungle Brothers, consisting of MCs Afrika Baby Bam (born Nathaniel Hall) and Mike G (born Michael Small), and DJ Sammy B (born Sammy Burwell), formed in the mid-1980s as part of the Native Tongues collective, which also included groups like De La Soul and A Tribe Called Quest.
In 1988, the Jungle Brothers released their debut album, “Straight Out the Jungle,” which was a critical and commercial success. The album was notable for its use of samples from jazz, funk, and soul music, as well as its socially conscious lyrics that addressed issues like racism and police brutality.
The Jungle Brothers’ success continued with the release of their second album, “Done By the Forces of Nature,” in 1989. The album featured collaborations with jazz musicians like Branford Marsalis and the legendary producer Todd Terry, and helped to solidify the group’s reputation as innovators in the hip-hop genre.
Throughout the 1990s, the Jungle Brothers continued to release albums and collaborate with other artists, including the British house music group, Stereo MCs. They also became known for their energetic live performances and for incorporating live instrumentation into their shows.
In the early 2000s, the Jungle Brothers took a hiatus from recording, but continued to perform live and collaborate with other artists. They returned to the studio in 2006 with the release of their album “I Got You,” which was well-received by critics.
Since then, the Jungle Brothers have continued to perform and record new music, including collaborations with younger artists like the Australian DJ and producer, Flume.
The Jungle Brothers’ innovative fusion of hip-hop with other musical genres has had a lasting impact on the hip-hop genre, influencing a generation of artists who have incorporated elements of jazz, funk, and house music into their own music.
They are also widely recognized for their role in the Native Tongues collective, which helped to establish a new, socially conscious and musically diverse approach to hip-hop in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Overall, the Jungle Brothers’ career is a testament to their creativity and their willingness to experiment and push boundaries in the hip-hop genre. They remain an important and influential group in the history of hip-hop music.
