Technotronic

Technotronic was a Belgian electronic music project formed in 1987 by Jo Bogaert and best known for their 1989 single, " Pump Up the Jam", which features vocals by Ya Kid K. The song peaked at No. 2 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 in the United States. Later that year, the single was followed by the album of the same name, which peaked at No. 10 on the ''Billboard'' 200. Technotronic achieved further success with the singles " Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)" and " Move This". They went on to release the albums '' Body to Body'' (1991) and ''Recall'' (1995), and they have been inactive since 2001.

History

1987–1990: Formation and ''Pump Up the Jam''

Technotronic was formed in 1987 by Belgian musician, songwriter, and record producer Jo Bogaert, who had gained popularity in Europe as a solo artist with various new beat projects, including Acts of Madmen and Nux Nemo. Congolese–Belgian rapper Ya Kid K joined Technotronic on vocals, Bogaert adopted the stage name Thomas De Quincey, and in September 1989, they released the single " Pump Up the Jam", though Ya Kid K was initially uncredited for her contributions to the song. A front for the act was put together (in a way similar to other Eurodance acts like Black Box and Milli Vanilli), utilizing Congolese-born fashion model Felly Kilingi, who was presented as the group's vocalist. She featured on the single's cover art, which was credited as "Technotronic featuring Felly", and she also appeared in the music video for the song. The track became a worldwide success, eventually reaching No. 2 on both the ''Billboard'' Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart in late 1989 and early 1990.

Technotronic issued their debut studio album, '' Pump Up the Jam'', in late 1989, which included vocals by Ya Kid K and MC Eric but still featured Kilingi on the cover. The record peaked at No. 10 on the ''Billboard'' 200 in the US and reached No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart. Following the release of the album, Ya Kid K was revealed to be the group's main vocalist, with Bogaert admitting that " ellydidn't have much to do with the record. Me, Eric and Ya Kid did it all. We needed Felly to help promote the group at first — to create this image". In January 1990, they issued their second single, "Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)", which was a No. 7 hit in the US and a No. 2 hit in the UK. The music video featured both Ya Kid K and Kilingi. That year, Technotronic made appearances on ''Saturday Night Live'', ''The Arsenio Hall Show'', and ''It's Showtime at the Apollo''. In February 1990, Ya Kid K and Bogaert collaborated with the group Hi Tek 3 and released the single " Spin That Wheel", credited as "Hi Tek 3 featuring Ya Kid K". Further singles from ''Pump Up the Jam'' included "This Beat Is Technotronic", with vocals by MC Eric, and "Rockin' Over the Beat". Beginning in April 1990, Technotronic was an opening act for Madonna's Blond Ambition World Tour. Following the tour, Ya Kid K departed the group.

In September 1990, a megamix compiling Technotronic's previous hits was released as a single and peaked at No. 6 in the UK and No. 1 on the Eurochart Hot 100. This was the first single from the remix album '' Trip on This: The Remixes'', released in late 1990, which included the new song "Turn It Up", featuring vocals by new group members Melissa Beckford and Colin "Einstein" Case. "Turn It Up" was not as successful as the group's prior releases, and Melissa and Einstein later left the group.

1991–1994: ''Body to Body'' and ''The Greatest Hits''

In 1991, Technotronic released their second studio album, '' Body to Body'', which featured new main vocalist Réjane "Reggie" Magloire. Reggie provided vocals for six tracks on the album, which also featured singer Riv and rapper Colt 45 on two tracks. Several singles were released in Europe, the UK, and Australia, including "Move That Body", "Work", and "Money Makes the World Go Round".

In 1992, the song " Move This" from ''Pump Up the Jam'' became popular through its use in a Revlon television commercial. Ya Kid K rejoined the group, and the song was released as a single. In 1993, Technotronic issued ''The Greatest Hits'', which included the new songs "Hey Yoh Here We Go" and "One + One", both featuring vocals by Ya Kid K.

1995–2001: ''Recall'' and later releases

Continuing with Ya Kid K as frontwoman, Technotronic released the single "Move It to the Rhythm" in 1994. It was followed in 1995 by the album ''Recall'' and the further singles "Recall" and "I Want You by My Side", the latter of which features the singer Black Diamond. The album also included vocals by Daisy Dee, on two tracks.

In 1996, the group released the remix EP ''Pump Up the Jam – The '96 Sequel'', followed in 1998 by the single "Get Up – The '98 Sequel", as well as the compilations ''This Beat Is Technotronic (Hits & Mixes)'' and ''Pump Up the Hits''.

Technotronic returned in 1999 with the new singles "G-Train" and "Like This", featuring Monday Midnite on vocals. In 2000, Ya Kid K returned as the group's vocalist once more, releasing the non-album single "The Mariachi". In 2001, Technotronic released the standalone single "Runaway Blues".

Discography

Studio albums

Remix and compilation albums

Singles

See also

* List of number-one dance hits (United States)
* List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

References

* '' Pump Up the Jam: The Album'' – sleeve notes

External links

*

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Belgian new beat music groups
Belgian Eurodance groups
Belgian house music groups
Belgian techno music groups
English-language musical groups from Belgium
Musical groups established in 1987
Musical groups disestablished in 2001
Hip house music groups
SBK Records artists
Aalst, Belgium
1987 establishments in Belgium
2001 disestablishments in Belgium