Doug E Fresh Digital Biography
The first human beatbox in the rap world, and still the best of all time, Doug E. Fresh amazed audiences with his note-perfect imitations of drum machines, effects, and often large samples of hip-hop classics. Fresh was born Doug E. Davis in Barbados, and his first appearance came in 1983 on a single for Spotlight called "Pass the Budda," with Spoonie Gee and DJ Spivey. His introduction to most hip-hop fans, though, came one year later with his astonishing performance in Beat Street behind the Treacherous Three. His first solo features also came in 1984, with "Just Having Fun," waxed for Enjoy, and "Original Human Beatbox" for Vinentertainment.
By 1985, Fresh was one of the biggest names in rap music, and his first single for Reality, "The Show/La Di Da Di," became a hip-hop classic. It was recorded with his Get Fresh Crew, including MC Ricky D (only later to gain fame as Slick Rick), along with Barry Bee and Chill Will. His first LP, 1987's Oh, My God!, featured most of his showpieces, like "Play This Only at Night" and "All the Way to Heaven," along with nods to reggae and even gospel. His second album, 1988's The World's Greatest Entertainer, broke into the Billboard charts thanks to another hot single, "Keep Risin' to the Top," but Slick Rick had already broken from the pack and his LP of the same year, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick, did much better than Doug E. Fresh. Fresh took a break and wasn't able to regain momentum with 1992's Doin' What I Gotta Do, released through MC Hammer's Bust It label. He did reunite on a Slick Rick LP, and recorded again in 1995 for Gee Street. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
IN MORE RECENT NEWS
In 2005, he appeared on the single “Virgo” with Ludacris and Nas. On May 23, 2007, Fresh performed “The Show” with finalist Blake Lewis on the season-six finale of American Idol.
In 2010, members of newly formed rap group Cali Swag District observed a number of college students executing Doug E Fresh’s signature dance moves.
The group aptly renamed the dance craze and recorded the song “Teach Me How to Dougie,” paying homage to the Hip Hop pioneer.
Later that year, Doug E. Fresh joined Cali Swag District onstage in a performance of “Teach Me How to Dougie” at the BET Awards Pre-show.
In October of 2010, Doug E. Fresh opened Doug E’s Fresh Chicken & Waffles restaurant at 2245 Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. Blvd. (near 132nd).
On Nov. 8, 2010, Doug E. Fresh appeared on stage at the Soul Train Awards, where he taught CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer how to Dougie.
On Dec. 10, 2010, Fresh appeared on ESPN First Take, where he spoke about The Dougie phenomenon as a sports celebration.
On October 24, 2012, he performed onstage with Stevie Wonder at The United Nations Concert in renditions of “La-Di-Da-Di” and “Superstitious.”
On January 21, 2013, Doug E. Fresh was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at Russell Simmons’ Hip Hop Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC.
On May 25, 2013, Doug E. Fresh joined WBLS 107.5 FM, hosting “The Show.” This classic hip-hop program airs Saturday from 9-11 p.m.
On June 14, Doug E. Fresh, along with legends Easy A.D. of the Cold Crush Brothers, DMC of Run DMC, Chuck D of Public Enemy and others, hosted the 4th Annual Hip Hop Public Health Summit in Harlem. The event showcased their HHPH foundation’s acclaimed Hip Hop H.E.A.L.S. (Healthy Eating and Living in Schools) initiative, celebrated the release of its second music CD, and launched three new additions to its education curriculum.
(sources: artistdirect.com, iamdougefresh.com)
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