Fatty Koo
{{Short description|American musical group}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Fatty Koo
| image =
| landscape = Yes
| caption =
| origin = Columbus, Ohio, United States
| occupation = Singers/songwriters
| years_active = 2003–2006
| label = {{hlist|Sony Records|Columbia Records|DAS Label}}
| website =
| associated_acts =
}}
Fatty Koo was an American R&B and hip-hop band from Columbus, Ohio that formed in 2005.{{Cite web |last=admin |date=2021-07-13 |title=Fatty Koo |url=https://musicianbio.org/fatty-koo/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=Musician Biographies |language=en-US}} The group's members were Eddie B, Gabrielle, Josh, Marya, Ron, and Valure. A television documentary on BET, Blowin Up: Fatty Koo, documented their career.{{Cite news |last=Heffernan |first=Virginia |date=April 21, 2005 |title=A Reality Show With Doubts About Its Own Reality |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/04/21/arts/television/a-reality-show-with-doubts-about-its-own-reality.html |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=}} Their debut single, "Bounce" was released in June 2005,{{Cite magazine |last=Paoletta |first=Michael |date=April 30, 2005 |title=Brand new, fatty koo |pages=14 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_BQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=%22Brand+New%2C+Fatty+Koo%22&pg=PA14 |access-date=September 21, 2022 |via=Google Books}} and their debut album, House of Fatty Koo, was released on July 12, 2005, by Sony/Columbia Records.{{Cite web |title=Fatty Koo {{!}} Credits |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fatty-koo-mn0000236670/credits |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=AllMusic |language=en}} "Bounce" was selected as the anthem for TNT's NBA Playoffs in 2005.{{Cite web |last=Watkins (@GrouchyGreg) |first=Grouchy Greg |date=2005-05-26 |title=Fatty Koo: Overnight Celebrities |url=https://allhiphop.com/alternatives/fatty-koo-overnight-celebrities/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=AllHipHop |language=en-US}} On May 26, 2005, Fatty Koo was awarded the key to the city of Columbus, the day officially being named "Fatty Koo Day".
Members
- Ron Riley – Singer/Rapper/Songwriter/Producer
- Edward Brickerson (AKA Eddie B.) – Singer/Songwriter/Producer
- Kiana Allison (AKA Valure) – Singer/Songwriter
- Gabrielle Solange Travis – Singer/Songwriter
- Marya Barrios – Singer/Cellist/Songwriter
- Joshua Welton – Singer/Saxophonist/ Songwriter
History
The five original members from the musical collective Fatty Koo met in Columbus, Ohio. Eddie B, Gabrielle, Marya, Ron, and Valure had been active participants in the inner city's CAPACITY youth arts program and engaged in the CAPACITY-sponsored "Columbus Songwriters’ Summit for Oneness" in 2003.{{Cite web |date=2005-05-11 |title=Newcomers Fatty Koo Get Ready to 'Bounce' |url=https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/20050512fatty_koo_newcomers_fatty_koo_get_ready_to_bounce |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=BMI.com |language=en}} Through completion of the summit, each individual member was invited to record on the nonprofit John Lennon Educational Tour Bus that provided a state-of-the-art mobile recording studio. The original members recorded an eight-song demo, and recorded multiple videos, which were later watched by manager David Sonenberg.{{Cite web |title=Fatty Koo's House of Fatty Koo |url=https://www.stepbystep.com/Fatty-Koos-House-of-Fatty-Koo-167257/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=www.stepbystep.com}} The members, who had mixed backgrounds and musical preferences, become a music group in the fall of 2003. Shortly after, Fatty Koo signed a record deal with SonyBMG.
In 2004 they began recording their debut album with songwriter/producer Toby Gad.{{Cite web |title=Discography |url=https://www.tobygad.com/discography |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=Toby Gad Official Site |language=en-US}} In 2005, Fatty Koo began to audition for a new male vocalist to join the group. Singer Miguel was initially considered, but he decided to pursue a solo career.{{Cite web |last=Howard |first=Jacinta|title=Former Fatty Koo Member Reacts to Viral Miguel Video |url=https://theboombox.com/fatty-koo-valure-miguel-video-reaction/ |access-date=2022-09-08 |website=The Boombox |date=14 August 2018 |language=en}} Joshua Welton was later added to the group.{{Citation needed|date=September 2022}} Blowin Up: Fatty Koo aired on BET on April 21, 2005. The 13-episode reality TV show documented the group's career. Their debut album House of Fatty Koo was released on July 12, 2005.{{Cite magazine |last=Jones |first=Ivory M |date=July 23, 2005 |title=House of Fatty Koo |pages=39 |magazine=Billboard |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/227214598 |access-date=September 8, 2022 |id={{ProQuest|227214598}} |via=ProQuest}}
Discography
= Album =
| class="wikitable"
! rowspan="2" |Information ! colspan="2" |Chart positions ! rowspan="2" |Sales and certifications |
| style="width:30px;" |U.S.
! style="width:30px;" |U.S. R&B |
|---|
align="left" |House of Fatty Koo
|{{center|22}} |
|
= Single =
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title|qid=Q123563765|title=Blowin' Up! Fatty Koo}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Fatty Koo}}
Category:Musical groups from Columbus, Ohio