The Real Roxanne
Encyclopedia
The Real Roxanne was an American
female hip hop
emcee
who recorded for Select Records
. In the 1980s she, Roxanne Shanté
, and others were engaged in the Roxanne Wars
, a series of answer record
s inspired by UTFO
's hit song "Roxanne, Roxanne," being the officially sanctioned artist in response to all of the answer records. She scored her biggest hit in 1986 by teaming up with Howie Tee
on the single "Bang Zoom (Let's Go-Go)," which reached #11 in the UK Singles Chart
, her only UK
Top 40 hit
to date.
, the group that produced UTFO:
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
female hip hop
Hip hop music
Hip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
emcee
Master of Ceremonies
A Master of Ceremonies , or compere, is the host of a staged event or similar performance.An MC usually presents performers, speaks to the audience, and generally keeps the event moving....
who recorded for Select Records
Select Records
Select Records is an American record label. Among its most popular acts were Chubb Rock, AMG, The Jerky Boys, Kid 'n Play, UTFO, Whistle, and The Real Roxanne...
. In the 1980s she, Roxanne Shanté
Roxanne Shanté
Roxanne Shanté is an American hip-hop pioneer. Born and raised in the Queensbridge Projects, Shanté first gained attention through the Roxanne Wars and her association with the Juice Crew....
, and others were engaged in the Roxanne Wars
Roxanne Wars
The Roxanne Wars is a well-known series of hip hop rivalries during the mid-1980s, yielding perhaps the most answer records in history. It arose from a dispute over a failed appearance at a radio promotional show...
, a series of answer record
Answer song
An answer song is, as the name suggests, a song made in answer to a previous song, normally by another artist. It is also known as a response song. The concept became widespread in blues and R&B recorded music in the 1930s through 1950s...
s inspired by UTFO
UTFO
UTFO is an old school hip-hop group, popular in the 1980s, that was mentored by the contemporary R&B group Full Force. The group consists of the Kangol Kid , the Educated Rapper , Doctor Ice , and Mix Master Ice...
's hit song "Roxanne, Roxanne," being the officially sanctioned artist in response to all of the answer records. She scored her biggest hit in 1986 by teaming up with Howie Tee
Howie Tee
Hitman Howie Tee is an English-born hip-hop DJ and producer of West Indian origin but raised in Brooklyn NY. Howie Tee is best known for his work with U.T.F.O, Chubb Rock, Special Ed and The Real Roxanne....
on the single "Bang Zoom (Let's Go-Go)," which reached #11 in the UK Singles Chart
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
, her only UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Top 40 hit
Hit record
A hit record is a sound recording, usually in the form of a single or album, that sells a large number of copies or otherwise becomes broadly popular or well-known, through airplay, club play, inclusion in a film or stage play soundtrack, causing it to have "hit" one of the popular chart listings...
to date.
Career
The role of The Real Roxanne was originally filled by a different female, Elease Jack, who recorded the first single The Real Roxanne under the character's name. Meanwhile, Martinez claims to have been introduced to UTFO in a fashion very similar to the Roxanne story. Already acquainted with Paul Anthony George, a member of Full ForceFull Force
Full Force is a group of R&B performers and producers from Brooklyn, New York, USA, calling itself the original hip hop vocal band.-Members:*B-Fine - drums and drum programming*Shy Shy - bass guitar...
, the group that produced UTFO:
- Ironic enough, I briefly met Doc Ice and Kangol (Kid) at the Albee Square Mall in Brooklyn, and, like Roxanne, I paid them no mind when they tried to get their rap on. All this was taking place while Paul Anthony and I were just becoming friends. Full Force was looking for someone to play the permanent role of Roxanne, even though they had already cut the track with someone they picked out of a club, whom, by the way, had absolutely no rap experience. They utilized her for an answer back to outbid Roxanne Shante's track. It seems that while they tried to create this character, they were having issues with this individual and her mother, so I was told, and that's when I was asked by Paul Anthony if I would audition for the guys, and I said sure, and I did. And, from there, I kept on walking in the shoes of THE REAL Roxanne!
Albums
- The Real Roxanne (1988) - USUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
R&BTop R&B/Hip-Hop AlbumsTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums is a chart published by Billboard magazine that ranks R&B and hip hop albums based on sales compiled by Nielsen SoundScan. The name of the chart was changed from Top R&B Albums in 1999...
#30 - Go Down (But Don't Bite It) (1992)
Singles
- "The Real Roxanne" (Elease Jack as Roxanne with U.T.F.O.) (1985)
- "Romeo Part 1" (1985) (The Real Roxanne with Howie TeeHowie TeeHitman Howie Tee is an English-born hip-hop DJ and producer of West Indian origin but raised in Brooklyn NY. Howie Tee is best known for his work with U.T.F.O, Chubb Rock, Special Ed and The Real Roxanne....
) (1985) - "Bang Zoom (Let's Go-Go)"/"Howie's Teed Off" (The Real Roxanne with Howie Tee) (1986) - UKUK Singles ChartThe UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
#11 - "Respect" (1988) - UK #71
- "Roxanne's on a Roll" (1989)
- "Ya Brother Does"/"Mama Can I Get Some"