Rare Gems: Chill Rob G- The Power

Greeting and Salutations, Fellow Musicheads!

So if you are reading this article, and actually remember what I’m referring to, “Congratulations”- You are clearly of a certain distinguished age…

Let’s take a trip back in time to almost 30 years ago.

Unless you lived under a rock, you more than likely heard Snap!’s “The Power,” blaring all over your radio stations in 1990. While everyone and their momma’s uncle was sweatin’ that version, Little Miss Tanya, at the tender age of 7 years old was like, “This isn’t new. I’ve known this song for the last year.” Needless to say people thought I was crazy because this was the hot “New” single out at the time.

I knew I wasn’t losing my mind…

Ok, so here’s the story. In 1989, NJ-born Hip-Hop artist, Chill Rob G, put out an acapella track called “Let The Words Flow.” German-bred dance group Snap!, got ahold of the track, and illegally sampled it, labeling it a “Remix,” without giving any credit to the original artist. Once the song hit big overseas, Chill Rob G, and his label, Wild Pitch Records decided to capitalize off the popularity, and put out their own version here in the US, which is included on his album, Ride The Rhythm, released in May 1989.

Snap’s record label, Arista/BMG, then hired their own frontman (Turbo B), replaced the lyrics, and recorded a new version of the song for release here in the US, a mere 7 months later.

Unfortunately, Chill Rob G’s label, Wild Pitch Records, did not have the funds or the resources to adequately compete with Snap’s label, Arista/BMG, and while both labels released the single, the Snap version got all the praise and notoriety, due to the Arista machine behind it.

Here is the original version below. Take a listen….