The iconic hip-hop group The Fat Boys were inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) at its newly opened museum in Stony Brook on August 6.
The last surviving member of The Fat Boys, Damon Wimbley, also known as Kool Rock-Ski, accepted the award from hip-hop legend and fellow LIMEHOF inductee Erick Sermon of EPMD. DJ Johnny Juice of Public Enemy was also present to show support and speak about the group.
“It’s definitely an honor on behalf of the group, two members who are no longer here,” Kool Rock-Ski said. “To accept this on their behalf is huge, because they brought so much to the culture. Their legacy lives on with an award like this. We got to the pinnacle of our success—and we got there the hard way, by doing a lot of hard work. We did a lot of hard work.”
The Fat Boys were most prominent in the 1980s and are considered pioneers of beatbox style hip-hop music. The group hails from East New York in Brooklyn and consisted of “Buff Love” Darin Robinson, “Prince Markie Dee” Mark Morales, and Kool Rock-Ski. They have heavily influenced hip-hop culture through their beatboxing, rhymes, and comedic charisma.
“The Fat Boys introduced the beatbox to the world and the song they made was funky to me,” Sermon said. “I’m honored to do this because my memories of my kitchen on that ledge was playing The Fat Boys album.”
The group released several albums, four of which went gold, and starred in three feature films: Krush Groove, Knights of the City, and Disorderlies. Some of their most successful songs include “Stick ‘Em,” “Can You Feel It,” “The Fat Boys Are Back,” “Wipe Out,” “Fat Boys” and “Jail House Rap.” They participated in several tours before breaking up, but each member maintained a strong relationship with one another. They have been credited with being a strong influence on the development of hip-hop and helping to grow its popularity.
“The Fat Boys being inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame is so well-deserved,” said fellow LIMEHOF inductee Kurtis Blow, who also produced their first two albums. “These young men were talented and passionate about their craft at a very young age. Producing The Fat Boys was one the highlights of my career. Rest in peace, Buffy and Prince Markie Dee. I will never forget you, and you are greatly missed. Continue to carry the torch, Kool Rock-Ski!”