Being on top in the circuit of over 30 years in the game should have without a doubt thrust some strong enough roots in its foundation, giving it the ability to garner many branches based on the strength of it’s name alone.
In the image below, we take a look at the tree of Rare Essence branches and its degrees of separation.
(click on image to view larger image)
LET ME BREAK IT ON DOWN ONE TIME:
REDDS AND THE BOYS:
Anthony “Redds” Williams – who played lead guitar for Rare Essence (during the area when Andre “Whiteboy” Johnson wasn’t able) went on to start his own band, Redds and The Boys. Most noted for the songs “Funk Ya Body Redds” and “Moving & Groovin” as well as the movie “Good To Go” (now known as Short Fuse).
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CJ’S UPTOWN CREW:
The cousin of Redds and saxophone player for Redds and The Boys, Carl “CJ” Jones went on to start his own band called “CJ’s Uptown Crew”. Most noted for the songs “It’s Good To Go Drug Free” and a collaborative song with Lil Benny entited “Satisfaction Guaranteed”.
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LIL BENNY & THE MASTERS:
Benny Harley – trumpet player and lead mic for Rare Essence – went on to start his own band, entited “Lil Benny & The Masters.” Mostly noted for the songs “Cat In The Hat” and “Big City Groove.”
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GROOVE MASTERS:
In 1988, several memebers from Lil Benny & The Masters were released, but continued to play the circuit hiring Lawence “Maniac” West as lead mic and keeping on the “Masters” name, hence calling themselves “The Groove Masters.”
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PROPER UTENSILS:
Originally started by Jas Funk back in the early 80’s with a brief stint on the circuit, Proper Utensils was re-ignited by Funk in the early 90’s, with the collaboration with Mike Hughes (who brought in members of his band AM/FM) and Lil Benny (who brought in members of his band Lil Benny & The Masters). Mostly noted for the songs “GoGo Rumpshaker” and “Gorgie Porgy.”
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THE LEGENDS:
In 1999, original members of Rare Essence grouped back together and formed a band entitled “The Legends,” basing the majority on their original RE material. The members included former RE members, Lil Benny, Lawrence “Maniac” West, Michael “Funky Ned” Neal, Rory “DC” Felton, Michael Muse, John “Big Horn”, Tyrone “Jungle Boogie” Williams, Benny “Scotty” Haskel, Markie Owens, Mark “Godfava” Lawson, David Green, Weeds on drums.
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MANIAC & THE SOLDIERS:
In 2001, Lawrence “Maniac” West stated a band of his own entitled “Maniac & The Soldiers.”
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TOUCH OF ESSENCE:
After disagreements regarding the direction of The Legends, several memebers left that band and started another band entitled “A Touch of Essence” (title meaning that there were were a touch of original RE members in the band).
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FIRST TOUCH:
Due to disagreements with the management of Touch of Essence, many members, led by vocalist Michael Muse, again left that camp and formed yet another band called “First Touch” (a title meaning that they were actually the original members of Touch of Essence).
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911 ENTERTAINMENT:
Again many members, of the ongoing RE foundation, had left the RE camp, lead by Donnell Floyd, and formed the band 911 Entertainment.
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FAMILIAR FACES:
Reformatting their style, as well as a few members, 911 Entertainment eventually changed their name to Familiar Faces – appealing to a more mature crowd.
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FAYCEZ U KNOW:
Several key members of Familiar Faces, who became uphappy with a growing discourt in the camp, left and formed their own group, lead by Kenny “Doc” Hughes and Dwayne Lee, called Faycez U Know.
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KIMBERLY MICHELLE PROJECT:
Kimberly (Ms Kim) Michelle sparked her fire and growing audience appeal on the Rare Essence stage – mostly noted for the song “Ordinary Lover” and “Pieces of Me“.
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FAT RODNEY:
“Fat” Rodney Tyrone Martin was one of Washington DC’s eminent emcees. In just over a year of hopping on the Rare Essence stages throughout the city Fat Rodney’s tongue twisting style and charismatic performances earned him a rep as one of the city’s best freestylers. Just a simple call of “What YOu Gonna Do, Fat Rodney?” from the audience, would set the clup ablaze.
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STINKY DINK:
Another free style phantom who grew his city’s appreaciation from the Rare Essence stage was John “Stinky Dink” Bowman. With a roring scream from the audience yelling, “Stinky Get Rickety Raw”, would take the stage with a distinctive voice and lyrical style that changeed the game and took DC by storm.
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DC SCORPIO:
DC Scorpio grabbed the city by its hinges with the song “Stone Cold Hustler“. The strong production and push by Rare Essence members helped make this song a hit.
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VINNIE D:
Vinnie grapped the city by its hinges with the song “55 Dollar Motel“. The strong production and push by Rare Essence members helped to make this song a hit.
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TMOTTGOGO.COM:
And yes, I’m gonna add this one too. Not only was this website created by a person directly from the Lil Benny & The Masters and Proper Utensils lineage, but the site itself was based on the title and music of the Rare Essence song, “Take Me Out To The Go-Go.”
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