Three jolly Rubenesque boys from Brooklyn formed the early rap group, incorporating a big dose of humor and the fine art of buffoonery into their music. Their songs, back by exuberant personalities, had wide crossover appeal and paved the way for later hip hop artists.

Mark Morales, Damon Wimbley and Darren Robinson adopted suitably hip names for their act: they were known as Prince Markie Dee, Kool Rock-Ski and Buff Love, respectively. Robinson was a human beatbox, able to portray the characteristic hip hop sounds like percussion and scratching. They got their start after winning a record contract in a talent contest at Radio City Music Hall in the early 80s.

The Fat Boys worked closely with hip hop pioneer Kurtis Blow and released "Jail House Rap" in 1984, a song popular in dance clubs. The following year, rap royalty Run DMC cast them in his film Krush Groove and the Boys scored a hit with the song "All You Can Eat." More dance club hits followed, like "In the House" and "Hard Core Reggae."

In 1987, the group had a stellar year with their album Cruisin' which included the platinum hit single "Wipe Out," a cover of the Surfari's beach anthem. The Fat Boys also starred in their own feature film called Disorderlies, a masterpiece of slapstick humor and hijinks, in which the three played inept hospital orderlies caring for an aging millionaire.

Another cover became a hit for them, this time Chubby Checker's "The Twist," featuring Chubby himself as an honorary Fat Boy. The group continued their involvement in film with "Are You Ready for Freddy?" which was the theme song for A Nightmare on Elm Street IV. The song may be more kindly remembered than the movie.

After releasing a concept album titled On and On, the Fat Boys disbanded and went on to solo projects; Prince Markie Dee found success as a songwriter and producer but sadly, the Human Beatbox passed away at an early age. Such a downer definitely calls for an immediate screening of Disorderlies, really the best way to honor Buff Love's memory.