Technotronic

Technotronic was a Belgian electronic music project formed in 1987 by Jo Bogaert, best known for the 1989 single "Pump Up the Jam", which features vocals by Ya Kid K. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. The single and was followed by the album of the same name which was released the same year and peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200. They achieved further success with the singles "Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)" and "Move To This". Technotronic went on to release the albums Body to Body (1991) and Recall (1995).

History

1987–1990: Formation and Pump Up the Jam
Technotronic was formed in 1987 by Jo Bogaert. Bogaert gained popularity in Europe as a solo artist with various new beat projects, including Acts of Madmen and Nux Nemo. Ya Kid K joined the project as a vocalist, Bogaert adopted the stage name Thomas De Quincey, and in September 1989, they released the single "Pump Up the Jam". Ya Kid K was initially uncredited for her contributions to the song. A front for the act was put together (in a way similar to other Eurodance acts like Black Box and Milli Vanilli), utilizing Congolese-born fashion model Felly Kilingi who was presented as the group's vocalist. She appeared on the single's cover art which was credited as "Technotronic featuring Felly" and also appeared in the music video for the song. The song became a worldwide success, eventually reaching No. 2 on both the US Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart in late 1989 and early 1990.

The success of the project's first single led to the release of the album Pump Up the Jam in late 1989, which featured vocals by Ya Kid K and MC Eric, but still featured Felly Kilingi on the cover. The album peaked at number 10 on the Billboard 200 in the US and reached No. 2 in the UK Albums Chart. Following the release of the album, Ya Kid K was revealed to be the main vocalist for the songs, with Bogaert admitting "[Felly] didn't have much to do with the record. Me, Eric and Ya Kid did it all. We needed Felly to help promote the group at first - to create this image". In January 1990, they released their second single "Get Up! (Before The Night Is Over)", which was a No. 7 hit in the US and a No. 2 hit in the UK. The music video for the song features both Ya Kid K and Felly, though Felly's vocals do not appear on the song. That year, Technotronic made appearances on Saturday Night Live, The Arsenio Hall Show, and It's Showtime at the Apollo. In February 1990, Ya Kid K and Bogaert collaborated with the group Hi Tek 3 and released the single "Spin That Wheel", credited as "Hi Tek 3 featuring Ya Kid K". Further singles released from Pump Up the Jam: The Album were "This Beat Is Technotronic" (US Dance No. 3, UK No. 14) which featured MC Eric instead of Ya Kid K, and "Rockin' Over The Beat" (UK No. 9). Beginning in April 1991, Technotronic became an opening act for Madonna's Blond Ambition World Tour. Following the tour, Ya Kid K departed from the group. 

In September 1990, A megamix was released compiling Technotronic's previous hits. Released as a single, it peaked at No. 6 in the UK and No. 1 on the Eurochart Hot 100. The megamix was the first single from the remix album Trip on This: The Remixes, released in late 1990. Trip on This featured the new song "Turn It Up" featuring vocals by new group members Melissa Bell and "Another Monsterjam" rapper MC Einstein. "Turn It Up" was not as successful as the group's prior releases, and Melissa and Einstein departed from the group.

1991–1994: Body to Body and The Greatest Hits
In 1991, Technotronic released their second studio album Body to Body, which featured new main vocalist Reggie (Réjane Magloire). Reggie provided vocals for six tracks on the album, which also featured singer Riv and rapper Colt 45 on two tracks. Several singles were released in Europe, the UK and Australia, including "Move That Body", "Work" and "Money Makes The World Go Round" during 1991 and 1992.

In 1992, the song "Move This" from Pump Up the Jam (featuring vocals by Ya Kid K) became popular through its use in a Revlon television commercial. Ya Kid K rejoined the group and the song was released as a single. It became the group's third Top 10 hit in the United States, peaking at No. 6. With renewed interest in the Pump Up The Jam album, it was repackaged for the US market in 1992, retaining the original track listing but this time featuring Ya Kid K's face on the cover.  In 1993, Technotronic released the compilation album The Greatest Hits. It included the new songs "Hey Yoh Here We Go" and "One + One", both featuring vocals from Ya Kid K. Both songs which were released as singles in 1993 and 1994.

1995–2001: Recall and later releases
Continuing with Ya Kid K as frontwoman, Technotronic released the single "Move It to the Rhythm" in 1994. It was followed in 1995 by the album Recall and the further singles "Recall" and "I Want You by My Side", the latter of which features male singer Black Diamond. Beside vocal contributions from Ya Kid K, the album also featured singer Daisy Dee on two tracks.

In 1996, the group released the remix EP "Pump Up The Jam – The '96 Sequel" was released in 1996. In 1998, the group released the single "Get Up – The '98 Sequel" as well as compilations This Beat Is Technotronic (Hits & Mixes) and Pump Up The Hits.

Technotronic returned in 1999 with new singles "G-Train" and "Like This", featuring male vocalist Monday Midnite. In 2000, Ya Kid K returned as the group's vocalist once more, releasing the non-album single "The Mariachi" to moderate success in Belgium. The following year, Technotronic released the standalone single "Runaway Blues".

Discography

Studio albums

Remix and Compilation albums

Singles

See also
 List of number-one dance hits (United States)
 List of artists who reached number one on the US Dance chart

References

 Pump Up the Jam: The Album – sleeve notes

External links
 Technotronic official MySpace
 Technotronic at Discogs

Belgian new beat music groups
Belgian Eurodance groups
Belgian house music groups
Belgian techno music groups
Musical groups established in 1988
Hip house music groups
SBK Records artists
Aalst, Belgium