Jungle Brothers: Pioneers of the Native Tongues Sound
Revisit the roots of the Native Tongues collective with the Jungle Brothers' influential debut, 'Straight Out the Jungle.'
During the late 1980s, hip-hop was a genre dominated by various dynamic figures. Amongst the pantheon of gods, philosophers, revolutionaries, and gangsters prolific in their musical output, a niche existed for relatable figures. The Jungle Brothers stepped into this space with their laid-back demeanor, balancing political consciousness with the desire to unwind. Their initial offering, Straight Out the Jungle, released over thirty years ago, celebrated life through the lens of inventive and genuine brotherhood.
Nathaniel “Afrika Baby Bam” Hall, Michael “Mike G” Small, and DJ Sammy “B” Burnwell formed the core of The Jungle Brothers. Their bond was forged during high school over a mutual passion for hip-hop. Opting to create music while attending school, they dedicated two years to crafting “Straight Out the Jungle.” The debut album from The Jungle Brothers showcased them as relatable figures with a unique twist. They boasted about their skills and engaged in lighthearted pursuits of romance in a relaxed fashion. While emphasizing social consciousness, they approached these themes less intensely than groups like Public Enemy or Boogie Down Productions.
Their breakthrough came with the release of “Jimbrowski,” their inaugural single, which caught the attention of DJ Red Alert. As Mike G’s uncle and an esteemed disc jockey and radio host, Red Alert was drawn to their humorous take on the track’s theme. He promoted the single on his KISS-FM show and facilitated their introduction to Warlock Records, ultimately leading to their album’s release.
They connected with fellow artists who shared similar visions as they performed throughout New York City’s metropolitan area. Among them was Q-Tip, who at that time was forming A Tribe Called Quest. Collaborations with De La Soul also took shape as they developed their first album. Chris Lighty, who later established a Violator management firm in the early ‘90s, managed The Jungle Brothers in his initial venture into artist management. These connections would eventually give rise to the Native Tongues collective; however, during the release period of “Straight Out the Jungle,” it was primarily The Jungle Brothers carving out their path.
The Jungle Brothers had a knack for embracing their identity within their music. The title track of their album exemplifies this as they accentuate their connection to the “jungle” motif. Their lyrics flow over a sample from Mandrill’s “Mango Meat,” setting the tone for an album that encapsulates their distinctive style and character. Drawing from the Ultimate Beats and Breaks (UBB) collections, crucial to hip-hop production in the mid to late 1980s, the soundscapes of Straight Out the Jungle are deeply connected to this influential resource. The group’s initial and most notable single, “Jimbrowski,” utilized Funkadelic’s “Good Ole Music,” a track frequently found in UBB compilations.
“Jimbrowski” is a humorous tribute to male bravado, with Baby Bam and Mike G humorously boasting about their manhood. Despite its juvenile theme, the track resonates due to the group’s charismatic delivery. The term “Jimmy” became synonymous with the male genitalia for some time following the song’s release. With “Braggin’ and Boastin,” listeners find Baby Bam and Mike G effortlessly exchanging verses over a sample from The Honey Drippers’ “Impeach the President,” skillfully manipulated by Sammy B. Their confident battle rhymes exemplify their comfort and confidence within the genre.
The Jungle Brothers also ventured into storytelling with songs like “On the Run,” which samples The Jimmy Castor Bunch’s “It’s Just Begun.” While other artists have used this sample for battle rhymes, the Jungle Brothers created a narrative about touring and their relentless efforts to succeed in hip-hop. “Black Is Black” features a blend of samples, including Lightnin’ Rod’s “Sport,” The Meters’ “9 Til 5,” and Prince’s “Controversy.” This socially conscious song marks Q-Tip’s first album appearance and his initial use of the name “A Tribe Called Quest.” Q-Tip delivers two verses that reflect on Black identity and survival in America, hinting at his future development as an emcee.
Another socially aware track on the album is “What’s Going On,” where Baby Bam and Mike G rap over Kool & the Gang’s “N.T.” They address issues affecting African Americans and stress the importance of historical awareness while painting vivid pictures of life in New York’s ghettos. The Jungle Brothers set precedents with “I’m Gonna Do You” and “Behind the Bush,” influencing how they and their Native Tongues counterparts approached songs dedicated to romance. These tracks are subtle yet memorable, featuring clever metaphors related to jungle themes.
It’s undeniable that the group contributed to the birth of “hip-house” with their dance hit “I’ll House You.” Not originally on the album, this track is a vocal remix of Royal House’s “Can You Party,” produced by Toddy Terry. It brought them international recognition but also led to less impressive hip-hop tracks during that era.
As the album progresses, it loses momentum with the instrumental tracks, but later reissues included “Promo,” initially a radio promo for Red Alert’s show on KISS-FM. Its inclusion over other potential tracks, such as “In Time,” was an interesting choice by the group. Straight Out the Jungle solidified the Jungle Brothers’ unique approach and prepared the ground for subsequent releases from Native Tongues members. Their second album, Done by the Forces of Nature, along with De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising, would further establish this collective. The Jungle Brothers’ debut remains significant for its authentic expression of hip-hop music and culture.