Go-Go Greats

Remembering Chuck Brown with a look at legendary bands.

The Backyard Band - Referring to themselves as the "Bad Boys of Go-Go," the Backyard Band is known for being one of the first go-go groups to take popular rap songs and mesh them with go-go beats, starting in the early '90s. Getting much respect from the younger set, up-and-coming rapper Wale featured one of the band's lead vocalist, Weensey, on his signature go-go inspired hit "Pretty Girls."(Photo: Courtesy Facebook)
EU (Experience Unlimited) - Led by singer and bassist Gregory "Sugarbear" Eliot, the '80s and early '90s band EU (Experience Unlimited) was behind one of the most mainstream go-go hits, "Da Butt." In addition to being a huge commercial hit in 1988, the song was prominently featured by Spike Lee in his film School Daze.(Photo: Courtesy Teddy Bear Records)
Mambo Sauce - Named after a popular condiment found in D.C. Chinese take-out restaurants, Mambo Sauce came on the scene in 2007 with their songs "Miracles" and "Welcome to D.C." Their debut album, The Recipe, would follow a couple years later in 2009. The band features Alfred "Black Boo" Duncan and Joi "J.C." Carter as lead vocalists, Jermaine "Lil Pep" Cole on percussion, Patricia "Twink" Little on the drums, Christian "Lil' Chris" Wright on the keyboard and Khari Pratt on bass. Some former members, who went on to play with other legendary go-go bands, include lead vocalist Yendy Brown, lead guitar Andrew "Drew" White, and drummer Barrington "Barry" Talbert.(Photo: Courtesy Red C Records)
UCB (Uncalled 4 Band) - Washington, D.C.'s UCB formed in the late '90s in the basement of group member Roc Mikey's mother's garage. The group gained much national recognition when Wale brought them on the Attention Deficit tour with him to give his fans around the country a taste of the city. They also got the opportunity to perform as the house band for MTV's Video Music Awards in 2009, and backed the rising star at BET's "Rising Icons." (Photo: Courtesy Myspace)The Young Senators - The Young Senators made their mark as the first road band to record with a major Motown Act. They were also the first go-go band to have a number-one single, 1969's "Jungle." They were inducted into the Go-Go Hall of Fame in February of 2002.(Photo: Courtesy Epic Records)

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EU (Experience Unlimited) - Led by singer and bassist Gregory "Sugarbear" Eliot, the '80s and early '90s band EU (Experience Unlimited) was behind one of the most mainstream go-go hits, "Da Butt." In addition to being a huge commercial hit in 1988, the song was prominently featured by Spike Lee in his film School Daze.(Photo: Courtesy Teddy Bear Records)

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