J. J. Fad

J.J. Fad
Also known as Original J.J. Fad
Origin Rialto, California, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Years active 1985–1992
2021–present
Labels Ruthless Records
Members
  • Juana Burns "MC J.B."
  • Dana Birks "Baby D"
  • Michelle Franklin "Sassy C"
Past members
  • Anna Cash "Lady Anna"
  • Juanita Lee "Crazy J."
  • Fatima Shaheed "O.G. Rocker"
  • DJ Train (deceased)
Website jjfad.com

J.J. Fad is an American female rap group from Rialto, California. The name was an acronym of the original group members' given names (Juana, Juanita, Fatima, Anna, and Dana), but when the line-up changed the tradition developed that it stood for Just Jammin', Fresh and Def. The group was backed by DJ Train (Clarence Lars).

In June 2022, the city of Rialto held a ceremony to honor J.J. Fad by naming a street after the group. Lead by local councilman Joe Baca Jr, parts of Lurelane off Cactus were named JJ Fad Way.

History

Beginnings

J.J. Fad began in 1985 as a quintet comprising Juana Burns (MC J.B.), Dana Birks (Baby-D), Anna Cash (Lady Anna), Fatima Shaheed (O.G. Rocker) and Juanita Lee (Crazy J.). It was one of the original acts signed to Ruthless Records by Eazy-E. In 1987, this line-up released its only recording, the single "Anotha Ho" backed with "Supersonic" ("Anotha Ho" was the A-side), produced by Arabian Prince.

Supersonic

Due to management and financial disagreements, Cash, Shaheed and Lee quit the group, leaving J.J. Fad as a duo. The remaining original members (Burns and Birks) were joined by Michelle Franklin (Sassy C.) and DJ Train, and together they re-recorded and re-released "Supersonic" in 1988, this time as the A-side. It sold 400,000 copies independently before Eazy-E and Jerry Heller secured the group a major-label recording contract with Atco Records.

The single was followed by the album Supersonic, produced by Arabian Prince, who made J.J. Fad accessible to pop audiences—unlike many West Coast rappers of the day—by including electro elements in their music. Due to their involvement with Ruthless Records, co-producer credits were added for Dr. Dre and DJ Yella.

Both the single "Supersonic" and the album Supersonic were certified gold. (The group believes the single sold 1 million copies in the U.S.—equivalent to platinum status—but this has not been certified.)

Not Just a Fad

With Eazy and Heller enjoying success with N.W.A, it was three years before J.J. Fad returned with a follow-up album. Not Just a Fad was released in 1991, produced by Arabian Prince, Yella and overseen by Eazy, but failed to make an impact. The group disbanded shortly afterward. DJ Train died in 1994 of smoke inhalation.

Later years

After almost two decades out of the music industry raising families, the classic trio of J.J. Fad reunited. The group performs at old-school and freestyle concerts.

In 2004, MF Doom sampled the beatboxing intro from the 1988 video for "Supersonic" in his song "Hoecakes" from his album Mm.. Food.

In 2006, Fergie used an interpolation of "Supersonic" in her song "Fergalicious".

"Supersonic" appeared in the music video game Dance Central 3 (2012), which J. J. Fad promoted on its Facebook page.

The 2015 biopic film Straight Outta Compton left out the story of J. J. Fad and how some in the media felt the group was responsible for "forging a path for the breakout success of N.W.A".

The second trailer for the 2020 movie Sonic the Hedgehog features the song "Supersonic".

Discography

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
US
 US
R&B
/HH
Supersonic 49 20
Not Just a Fad
  • Released: December 7, 1990
  • Label: Ruthless
  • Formats: CD, LP, cassette, digital download, streaming
 — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Singles

As lead artist

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
 US Dance
 US R&B
"Anotha Ho" 1987 — — — Non-album single
"Supersonic" 1988 30 10 22
  • RIAA: Gold
Supersonic
"Way Out" 61 — 51
"Is It Love" 92 — —
"We in the House" 1990 — — — Not Just a Fad
"Be Good Ta Me" 1991 — — —
"Supersonic (Re-Recorded/Remastered)" 2009 — — — Hip Hop Soundtrack To The Concrete Jungle
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Featured singles

List of featured singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
 US R&B
 US Rap
 AUS
 NZ
"We're All in the Same Gang"
(as part of The West Coast Rap All-Stars) 		1990 35 10 1 106 11
  • RIAA: Gold
We're All in the Same Gang
"Fellas"
(Ozomatli featuring J. J. Fad and Lisa Lisa) 		2021 — — — — — Marching On
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Guest appearances

List of non-single guest appearances, with other performing artists, showing year released and album name
Title Year Other performer(s) Album
"Comin' Correct" 1989 — Coming to America Soundtrack