Dream Warriors
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| Dream Warriors | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genre(s) | Hip-Hop, Jazz rap |
| Years active | 1988–2002 |
| Label(s) | 4th & Broadway, Island, PolyGram, EMI |
| Associated acts | Gang Starr, Digable Planets, The Herbaliser |
| Members | |
| King Lou Capital Q |
|
| Former members | |
| Spek DJ Luv |
|
Dream Warriors were an alternative hip hop duo from Toronto, Canada, comprised of King Lou and Capital Q (aka The Quiet Storm). They were emcees of Caribbean heritage. In 1993, the duo expanded to include a third emcee named Spek, and the official membership of its longtime DJ, L.A. Luv (aka DJ Luv).
Contents |
[edit] Career
The "Warriors of the Dream" formed in 1988 and released the jazz-influenced hip-hop album And Now, the Legacy Begins in 1991, which was critically acclaimed and sold well in Canada, the United Kingdom, and across Europe — before becoming an underground sensation in the United States. The album spawned the hit singles "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style", "Wash Your Face in My Sink", and "Ludi". The song "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" featured a prominent sample of "Soul Bossa Nova" by Quincy Jones, which originally appeared on his 1962 LP Big Band Bossa Nova, and was also the theme music to the Canadian game show Definition. The sample was also used prominently in the Austin Powers movie series.
The 1994 follow-up, Subliminal Simulation, received mixed reviews and has since been forgotten. It featured guest vocals by Ishmael Butler of Digable Planets (on the track "Tricycles and Kittens"), and Gang Starr (Guru and DJ Premier) contributed to two different versions of the song "I've Lost My Ignorance (and Don't Know Where to Find It)", originally released in 1991. The first single, "Day In Day Out" was well-received by the hip-hop community and largely showcased new member Spek. The album seemed to steer the group away from the underground success of their previous album.
The group released The Master Plan in 1996, but it was largely ignored and most people don't even know of the albums exsistance. Spek officially left the group in 1997, before relocating to the UK, and DJ Luv also left the group in 1997. In 1998, a greatest-hits compilation was released, and featured two new tracks from the remaining duo. The greatest hits album also thrusted them for the first time into the mainstream with in the United States. In 2002, they featured The Herbaliser on the track "Road of Many Signs", on the album entitled The Legacy Continues. The album which originally was ment to capitalize on their newly found success and was said to be a return to their original sound, ultimately became their last album.
The group remained the best-selling hip-hop group in Canada for over ten years, until losing its place to Swollen Members in late 1999.
[edit] Discography
- And Now, the Legacy Begins (1991)
- Subliminal Stimulation (1994)
- The Master Plan (1996)
- Anthology: A Decade of Hits (1998)
- The Legacy Continues (2002)
[edit] Singles
| Year | Title | Chart positions | Album | |
| US Modern Rock | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 1990 | "Wash Your Face In My Sink" | – | #16 | And Now, the Legacy Begins |
| 1990 | "My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" | #24 (1991 release) | #13 | And Now, the Legacy Begins |
| 1991 | "Ludi" | – | #39 | And Now, the Legacy Begins |
| 1994 | "Day In Day Out" | – | – | Subliminal Stimulation |
| 1995 | "California Dreamin'" | – | – | Subliminal Stimulation |
| 1996 | "Float On" | – | – | The Master Plan |
| 1996 | "What Do You Want 'Ladies'?" | – | – | The Master Plan |
