Fat Boys

East New York Beginnings

The Fat Boys were a trio from East New York, Brooklyn: Mark "Prince Markie Dee" Morales, Damon "Kool Rock-Ski" Wimbley and Darren "Buff Love" Robinson, whose beatboxing earned him the nickname the Human Beat Box. In August 2026, Schenck Avenue in East New York was co-named Fat Boys Avenue in the group's honor, with Kool Rock-Ski attending the ceremony.

Performing as the Disco 3, they were unexpected winners of a talent contest at Radio City Music Hall on May 23, 1983, with the song "Stick 'Em." After a hotel on a European tour charged their manager a $350 food bill, they recorded a track called "Fat Boys" and took that as the group's name.

Kurtis Blow Era

Kurtis Blow produced their self-titled debut album, released May 29, 1984, on Sutra Records, bringing in drum programmers Larry Smith and Davy "DMX" Reeves. The album peaked at No. 48 on the Billboard 200 and was certified gold. Its singles were "Jail House Rap," "Can You Feel It?" and "Fat Boys." Kool Rock-Ski has credited Kurtis Blow with teaching the group the music business and to always write their own rhymes.

The Fat Boys Are Back (1985) was certified platinum. The group also appeared in the films Krush Groove (1985), Knights of the City (1986) and Disorderlies (1987).

Crossover Hits

Crushin', released August 14, 1987, on Tin Pan Apple/Polydor, peaked at No. 8 on the Billboard 200 and went platinum. Its cover of "Wipe Out," recorded with the Beach Boys, reached No. 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 10 on the R&B chart. "Falling in Love" followed as a single. Coming Back Hard Again (1988), certified gold, included "The Twist (Yo, Twist!)" with Chubby Checker, which reached No. 16 on the Hot 100 and No. 2 in the UK.

Later Years

The group was active from 1983 to 1991 and again from 2008 to 2021. Buff Love died of a heart attack on December 10, 1995, at age 28. Prince Markie Dee died on February 18, 2021, the day before his 53rd birthday; reports differ on the cause. Kool Rock-Ski is the surviving member. The Fat Boys' gold and platinum records and movie roles made them one of the first rap acts from Brooklyn with wide mainstream reach.