We Are Toonz
We Are Toonz | |
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Origin | Stone Mountain, Georgia |
Genres | Hip-Hop, Pop-rap |
Years active | 2013–2015 |
Labels | VPP,[1] Epic, Sony |
Associated acts | Lil Jon, French Montana, T-Pain, Mike Epps |
Website | WeAreToonz.com |
Members |
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We Are Toonz is an American hip hop group from Stone Mountain, Georgia,[2] formed in 2013, known for the viral debut dance single "Drop That #NaeNae", inspired by Martin Lawrence's character Sheneneh Jenkins from his popular 1990's sitcom Martin.[3]
The group members are Tavin "Levi" Bing-Gardner, Christopher "Crash Bandit" Major, Kavin "K.B." Bing-Gardner and Calvin Larmar "Callamar" Glass
History[]
The group members have danced and rapped together since childhood. Levi and K.B. are brothers and Crash Bandit is their cousin.
The Crew[]
We Are Toonz has many members: Bear, Rari, rique, Pj, Levi, KB, Crash Bandit, Cal Lamar, Bianca Jay, Lil Spinz, dancing dan, Marc is art. Four members are not in the group: Bear, Pj, Rari, Lil Spinz[citation needed]
Music career[]
Social Media Influence[]
We Are Toonz released Drop That #NaeNae in 2013 without much fanfare. The group posted a video of themselves performing the #NaeNae Dance on the social video sharing website Vine and other social media websites like Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. As the song gained momentum the Drop That #NaeNae went viral. The Michigan State Football team can be seen dropping that #NaeNae on YouTube, and breaking down the #NaeNae dance on Vine.[4] Video postings from other college teams dropping that #NaeNae to foster team spirit started going viral as well, Ohio State,[5] Temple University,[6]Auburn University,[7] Notre Dame,[8] and Mercer Bear basketball team victory #NaeNae over Duke's Blue Devils.[9]
Houston Rockets', Dwight Howard posted videos of himself dropping the #NaeNae.[10] After which, he reached out to the group to record a video in Atlanta.[11] Washington Wizards', John Wall celebrated his slam dunk contest win by dropping that "NaeNae" with Paul George.[12] Due to the Vines, videos and GIFs the group saw a 311% spike in mentions of the #NaeNae hashtag.[13]
Coca-Cola[]
In August 2014 Coca-Cola released a commercial featuring We Are Toonz for their Ahh Campaign targeting the teen and young adult demographic.[14] We Are Toonz are the first hip-hop act to collaborate with Coca-Cola since R&B singer Tyrese Gibson. The group was selected by the brand after seeing them perform at the World of Coke Ahh stage at the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards.
Discography[]
Singles[]
Single | Year | Label |
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"Drop That #NaeNae" | 2013 | VPP, Epic |
"Drop That #NaeNae Remix" (featuring Lil Jon, French Montana & T-Pain) | 2014 | VPP, Epic |
"DJ Play My Song" (featuring Mike Epps) | 2014 | VPP, Epic |
"Lit Up" (featuring Jazze Pha) | 2015 | VPP |
References[]
- ^ Rauly Ramirez (January 27, 2014). "New Hip-Hop Dance Craze:'Drop That #NaeNae'". Billboard Magazine.
- ^ "Atlanta's We Are Toonz storming the country with the Nae Nae". accessatlanta.com. Melissa Ruggieri.
- ^ Rauly Ramirez. "New Hip-Hop Dance Craze: 'Drop That #NaeNae'". www.billboard.com. Billboard Magazine.
- ^ Ben Cornfield. "Michigan State players break down #NaeNae dance in locker room". gamedayr.com.
- ^ "Ohio State Football NaeNae & Dougie". YouTube.com. xgamerjd.
- ^ "Football does the Nae Nae Dance". YouTube. Temple Owls Football.
- ^ "Auburn football players do the NaeNae". YouTube.com. Kasey Langley.
- ^ Tristan Thornburgh. "Notre Dame Football Busts out NaeNae Dance After Pinstripe Bowl Win". bleacherreport.com.
- ^ Glenn McGraw. "Mercer Dances All Over Duke With NaeNae, Dance White Boy Dance". GamedayR.com.
- ^ Glenn McGraw. "Video: Dwight Howards breaks out 'NaeNae Dance' for Instagram".
- ^ Edwin Ortiz. "We Are Toonz Lay Claim to the #NaeNae Dance and Talk About Meeting Dwight Howard". complex.com.
- ^ Jason McIntyre. "John Wall Doing the Nae Nae with Paul George Was Better Than the Dunk Contest". thebiglead.com.
- ^ Rauly Ramirez. "We Are Toonz' 'Drop That #NaeNae' Dances onto Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". billboard.com. Billboard.com.
- ^ "We Are Toonz, Creators of the Nae Nae, Ink Deal With Coca-Cola". Musictimes.com. Erika Benton-Martin.
External links[]
- Musical quartets
- Epic Records artists
- Musical groups established in 2014
- Musical groups from Georgia (U.S. state)
- Southern hip hop groups
- Rappers from Atlanta
- Musical groups from Atlanta
- African-American musical groups
- American hip hop groups
- 2014 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)