Comments on: The fight between Whoomp and Whoot?

Question: The fight between Whoomp and Whoot?

Jenesta — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 00:58:09 -0800

In the nineties there were two songs: "Whoomp! There It Is" by Tag Team and "Whoot! There It Is" by 95 South. The musical hooks in both songs were too similar to be coincidence. Does anybody know why nobody sued? Who knows the story behind this?

By: kuperman

kuperman — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 05:01:55 -0800

I believe it started as a club chant by the DJ over the music; 95 South was first to market, but Tag Team followed and ended up making more money by making the song more commercially successful by via a pop crossover.

By: TommyH

TommyH — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 05:12:46 -0800

A quick google search brought up an interview with the producer of "Whoot! There It Is" here. The songs were developed separately, but the idea "came from the streets". According to that interview both groups appeared on Arsenio together, so I guess there wasn't too much animosity.

By: armage

armage — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 06:07:27 -0800

In Ishkur's Guide to Electronic Music (flash, select "Breakbeats" then "Miami South") he mentions this. Audio samples are included for anyone curious about what they each sound like.

By: unixrat

unixrat — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 06:37:20 -0800

What kuperman said. It was a new bit of club slang and two groups tried to capitalize on it. The hooks are similar because the phrase sort of dictates it. (I believe that "The roof is on fire" is a similar sort of thing.)

It's similar to the idea that the 'Aiiiiir-baaaaallll' that is chanted at basketball games all sounds alike.

By: WCityMike

WCityMike — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 07:08:42 -0800

I seem to remember a EP that was issued that even had 95 South guest-starring on the more popular Tag Team single.

By: rkent

rkent — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 11:14:53 -0800

armage's link should actually be

http://www.di.fm/edmguide/music.swf

(great link btw)

By: Jenesta

Jenesta — Wed, 06 Jul 2005 15:28:29 -0800

Bless all of your souls! I knew I could count on you all! :)

TommyH:
My google searches turned up the interview, but I think I didn't read it closely enough. That'll teach me.

armage:
That link is AWESOME. Thank you!

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Thu, 21 Jul 2005 15:46:09 -0800

Also, towards the end of Run DMC's "Peter Piper," there's a little scratching action and then someone shouts "there it is!" Not sure if that's related at all.