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8:49 AM
Hamisi Kumbuka
Kool & The Gang
Kool & The Gang's story starts in the Jersey City projects. They were teenagers, studying Miles Davis albums and James Brown singles, jamming in basements, partying for the people in a swirl of Black consciousness. In 1969 they made their first record. Still teenagers, and full of confidence, they named that first record after themselves. Their confidence and creativity produced a string of loose-but-tight, "fun" records, culminating in the Pop Chart smash Jungle Boogie. Kool & The Gang didn't need a singer then: the horns were the lead voice; the fans chanted along. Their songs were featured in films like Rocky and Saturday Night Fever.
1948
In Jersey City, New Jersey, Willis and Thomas Smith give birth to their first child, Claydes Eugene Smith.
1949
George Brown the first child of George and Eleanor Brown was born in Jersey City.
1950
In Youngstown, Ohio, Robert “Bobby” Bell, a featherweight champion, and his wife Mabel have their first child, a son, Robert Earl Bell.
1951
Ronald Nathan Bell, the second child of Bobby and Mabel Bell, was born.
Dennis Ronald Thomas was born in Orlando, FL to Elizabeth and Claude Thomas. He was their third child.
Robert “Spike” Mickens was born to Victor and Roberta. His father was a trumpet player.
1952
Dennis Thomas moves with his family to Jersey City.
1993
fugeesKhalis’ production company LeJam, signs the Rap Translators to Ruffhouse Records and David Sonnenberg for management. A name conflict with a group known as the translators forced them to change their name on the eve of their release date. They debut as the Fugees.
The Fugees first album, produced by Lejam is mildly successful. People think he’s crazy for spending years with these kids.
Kool & The Gang’s debt from the 80’s is paid off. With the advent of sampling and renewed interest in the vintage 70’s music, their income flourishes.
1994
Khalis remarries.
1993
1996
In 1996, Kool & The Gang reunited with JT Taylor to record their thirty-fifth album State Of Affairs on Curb Records.
state of affairs
1997
Michelle Thomas lands the role of Callie Rodgers on The Young & The Restless.
Khalis has a son.
1998
Kool & The Gang form their own record label, KTFA Entertainment, Inc.
Michelle Thomas is diagnosed with cancer.
Khalis' son Rasheed releases his debut album, Prototype, as Rachid on Universal Records.
rachid
Muhammad Bell’s production company MadBall signs artist MC ROC to SoSo Def Records.
Michelle Thomas loses her battle with a rare form of cancer in December.
1999
ktfa logoKool & The Gang launch KTFA Entertainment, Inc. a production and recording company.
KTFA Entertainment, Inc. signs Ray, Goodman & Brown, Gerald Alston, Blue Lovett and Soul Generation. They begin recording a soul revival project called Keep Soul Alive to be released in early spring of 2000
Kool & The Gang releases the single Where Da Boogie At? and finish recording their album Gangland to be released in January of 2000
Kool becomes a grandfather.
1948
In Jersey City, New Jersey, Willis and Thomas Smith give birth to their first child, Claydes Eugene Smith.
1949
George Brown the first child of George and Eleanor Brown was born in Jersey City.
1950
In Youngstown, Ohio, Robert “Bobby” Bell, a featherweight champion, and his wife Mabel have their first child, a son, Robert Earl Bell.
1951
Ronald Nathan Bell, the second child of Bobby and Mabel Bell, was born.
Dennis Ronald Thomas was born in Orlando, FL to Elizabeth and Claude Thomas. He was their third child.
Robert “Spike” Mickens was born to Victor and Roberta. His father was a trumpet player.
1952
Dennis Thomas moves with his family to Jersey City.
1993
fugeesKhalis’ production company LeJam, signs the Rap Translators to Ruffhouse Records and David Sonnenberg for management. A name conflict with a group known as the translators forced them to change their name on the eve of their release date. They debut as the Fugees.
The Fugees first album, produced by Lejam is mildly successful. People think he’s crazy for spending years with these kids.
Kool & The Gang’s debt from the 80’s is paid off. With the advent of sampling and renewed interest in the vintage 70’s music, their income flourishes.
1994
Khalis remarries.
1993
1996
In 1996, Kool & The Gang reunited with JT Taylor to record their thirty-fifth album State Of Affairs on Curb Records.
state of affairs
1997
Michelle Thomas lands the role of Callie Rodgers on The Young & The Restless.
Khalis has a son.
1998
Kool & The Gang form their own record label, KTFA Entertainment, Inc.
Michelle Thomas is diagnosed with cancer.
Khalis' son Rasheed releases his debut album, Prototype, as Rachid on Universal Records.
rachid
Muhammad Bell’s production company MadBall signs artist MC ROC to SoSo Def Records.
Michelle Thomas loses her battle with a rare form of cancer in December.
1999
ktfa logoKool & The Gang launch KTFA Entertainment, Inc. a production and recording company.
KTFA Entertainment, Inc. signs Ray, Goodman & Brown, Gerald Alston, Blue Lovett and Soul Generation. They begin recording a soul revival project called Keep Soul Alive to be released in early spring of 2000
Kool & The Gang releases the single Where Da Boogie At? and finish recording their album Gangland to be released in January of 2000
Kool becomes a grandfather.
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