| Doug E. Fresh | |
|---|---|
 | |
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Birth name |
Douglas E. Davis |
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Born |
17 September 1966 |
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Origin |
Harlem, Manhattan, New York, United States |
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Genres |
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Occupations |
Rapper, beatboxer, record producer |
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Years active |
1983-present |
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Labels |
Enjoy, Danya/Reality/Fantasy, Bust It, Gee Street |
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Associated acts |
D&D All-Stars, The Get Fresh Crew, MC Hammer, Slick Rick |
Douglas E. Davis (born 17 September 1966), better known by his stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer and beat boxer. Known as the pioneer of twentieth-century American beatboxing, Fresh is able to accurately imitate drum machines and various special effects using only his mouth, lips, gums, throat, tongue and a microphone.
He began his career with a team of DJs called The Get Fresh Crew, and collaborated with a newcomer by the name of MC Ricky D. The group signed to Danya/Reality Records and recorded "The Show" and "La Di Da Di", with the latter consisting of a rap by MC Ricky D and backed by Doug E. Fresh's beat boxing. These songs broke him and MC Ricky D into stardom, with both songs considered two of the all time greatest early hip hop songs. MC Ricky D later departed from the group, changed his stage name to Slick Rick and signed to Def Jam to begin a successful career in hip hop as a solo artist.
Doug E. Fresh and the Get Fresh Crew carried on without MC Ricky D, and released two albums on Danya/Reality: Oh, My God! in 1986 and The World's Greatest Entertainer in 1988. After a four year hiatus, Doug E. Fresh signed as a solo artist to MC Hammer's label, Bust It Records, and released the album Doin' What I Gotta Do in 1992, which was neither a critical or commercial success. In 1993, he moved to Gee Street Records, and released the hit song "Freaks", which received major radio and club play. In 1995, Slick Rick and Doug E. Fresh reunited for a song on the latter's album Play, which found Fresh back on his feet as an artist with the album receiving positive reviews.
2010 saw Doug E. Fresh make a small comeback in the mainstream, when the rap group Cali Swag District brought back some of his trademark dance moves with their song "Teach Me How to Dougie".
Discography
- 1986: Oh, My God! (with The Get Fresh Crew)
- 1988: The World's Greatest Entertainer (with The Get Fresh Crew)
- 1992: Doin' What I Gotta Do
- 1995: Play