J. J. Fad

J.J. Fad is an American female rap group from Rialto, California. The name was an acronym of the original group members' given names (Juana, Juanita, Fatima, Anna, and Dana), but when the line-up changed the tradition developed that it stood for Just Jammin', Fresh and Def.[1] The group was backed by DJ Train (Clarence Lars).

J.J. Fad
Also known asOriginal J.J. Fad
OriginRialto, California, U.S.
GenresHip hop
Years active1985–1992
2021–present
LabelsRuthless Records
Members
  • Juana Burns "MC J.B."
  • Dana Birks "Baby D"
  • Michelle Franklin "Sassy C"
Past members
  • Anna Cash "Lady Anna"
  • Juanita Lee "Crazy J."
  • Fatima Shaheed "O.G. Rocker"
  • DJ Train (deceased)
Websitejjfad.com

In June 2022, the city of Rialto held a ceremony to honor JJ Fad by naming a street after the group. Lead by local councilman Joe Baca, Jr, parts of Lurelane off Cactus, was named JJ Fad Way.

History

Beginnings

J.J. Fad began in 1985 as a quintet comprising Juana Burns (MC J.B.), Dana Birks (Baby-D), Anna Cash (Lady Anna), Fatima Shaheed (O.G. Rocker) and Juanita Lee (Crazy J.). It was one of the original acts signed to Ruthless Records by Eazy-E. In 1987, this line-up released its only recording, the single "Anotha Ho" backed with "Supersonic" ("Anotha Ho" was the A-side), produced by Arabian Prince.[2][3]

Supersonic

Due to management and financial disagreements, Cash, Shaheed and Lee quit the group, leaving J.J. Fad as a duo. The remaining original members (Burns and Birks) were joined by Michelle Franklin (Sassy C.) and DJ Train, and together they re-recorded and re-released "Supersonic" in 1988, this time as the A-side. It sold 400,000 copies independently before Eazy-E and Jerry Heller secured the group a major-label recording contract with Atco Records.

The single was followed by the album Supersonic, produced by Arabian Prince, who made J.J. Fad accessible to pop audiences—unlike many West Coast rappers of the day—by including electro elements in their music. Due to their involvement with Ruthless Records, co-producer credits were added for Dr. Dre and DJ Yella.

Both the single "Supersonic" and the album Supersonic were certified gold.[4] (The group believes the single sold 1 million copies in the U.S.—equivalent to platinum status—but this has not been certified.)[5]

Not Just a Fad

With Eazy and Heller enjoying success with N.W.A, it was three years before J.J. Fad returned with a follow-up album. Not Just a Fad was released in 1991, produced by Arabian Prince, Yella and overseen by Eazy, but failed to make an impact. The group disbanded shortly afterward. DJ Train died in 1994 of smoke inhalation.

Later years

After almost two decades out of the music industry raising families, the classic trio of J.J. Fad reunited. The group performs at old-school and freestyle concerts.

In 2004, MF Doom sampled the beatboxing intro from the 1988 video for "Supersonic" in his song "Hoecakes" from his album Mm.. Food.

In 2006, Fergie used an interpolation of "Supersonic" in her song "Fergalicious".

"Supersonic" appeared in the music video game Dance Central 3 (2012), which J. J. Fad promoted on its Facebook page.

The 2015 biopic film Straight Outta Compton left out the story of J. J. Fad and how some in the media felt the group was responsible for "forging a path for the breakout success of N.W.A".[6]

The second trailer for the 2020 movie Sonic the Hedgehog features the song "Supersonic".

Discography

Studio albums
List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
[7]		 US
R&B
/HH
[8]
Supersonic 49 20
Not Just a Fad
  • Released: December 7, 1990
  • Label: Ruthless
  • Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming
 — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

As lead artist
List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[10]		 US Dance
[11]		 US R&B
[12]
"Anotha Ho"[13] 1987 — — — Non-album single
"Supersonic" 1988 30 10 22 Supersonic
"Way Out" 61 — 51
"Is It Love" 92 — —
"We in the House"[14] 1990 — — — Not Just a Fad
"Be Good Ta Me"[15] 1991 — — —
"Supersonic (Re-Recorded/Remastered)"[16] 2009 — — — Hip Hop Soundtrack To The Concrete Jungle
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of featured singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[10]		 US R&B
[12]		 US Rap
[17]		 AUS
[18]		 NZ
[19]
"We're All in the Same Gang"
(as part of The West Coast Rap All-Stars)		 1990 35 10 1 106 11 We're All in the Same Gang
"Fellas"
(Ozomatli featuring J. J. Fad and Lisa Lisa)[21]		 2021 — — — — — Marching On
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances
List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other performer(s) Album
"Comin' Correct"[22] 1989 — Coming to America Soundtrack

References
  1. J. J. Fad Website. Archived 2013-05-27 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  2. "Jerry Heller on the other women 'Straight Outta Compton' forgot". March 24, 2014. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  3. "Arabian Prince on J.J. Fad's "Supersonic"". Los Angeles Times. August 27, 2015. Retrieved October 31, 2015.
  4. RIAA Gold and Platinum Program Searchable Database. Archived 2015-09-04 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 15 February 2015.
  5. Layli Phillips, Kerri Reddick-Morgan and Dionne Patricia Stephens, "Oppositional consciousness within an oppositional realm: The case of feminism and womanism in rap and hip hop, 1976–2004," Journal of African American History, Vol. 90, No. 3 (Summer, 2005), p. 257.
  6. Roberts, Randall (August 27, 2015). "Why was J.J. Fad and its 'Supersonic' success left out of 'Straight Outta Compton'?". Los Angeles Times.
  7. "J. J. Fad Chart History". Billboard 200. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  8. "J. J. Fad Chart History". Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Retrieved 2020-08-12.
  9. "American album certifications – J. J. Fad". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved June 11, 2020.
  10. "J. J. Fad - US Hot 100". billboard.com. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  11. "J. J. Fad - US Dance Club Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  12. "J. J. Fad - US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  13. Anotha Ho (track listing). J. J. Fad. Dream Team Records. 1987. MRC-1013.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  14. "J.J. Fad - We in the House [12"] (12 inch Vinyl Single - Atlantic #96419)". AllMusic.
  15. "J.J. Fad - Be Good Ta Me [Vinyl Single] (12 inch Vinyl Single - Atlantic #96373)". AllMusic.
  16. "Supersonic (Re-Recorded / Remastered) – J.J. Fad - Release Info". Apple Music. June 2021.
  17. "J. J. Fad - US Hot Rap Songs". billboard.com. Retrieved 23 August 2021.
  18. "Australian peaks". Australian-charts.com.
  19. "Australian peaks". Australian-charts.com.
  20. "Gold & Platinum: West Coast Rap All Stars". Recording Industry Association of America. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
  21. "Fellas – Ozomatli, J.J. Fad and Lisa Lisa - Release Info". Apple Music. June 2021.
  22. "Original Soundtrack-Coming to America > Overview". AllMusic. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
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