Source: Stone Soul
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Experience Unlimited (also known as simply E.U.) was a Washington, D.C.-based go-go/funk band that enjoyed its height of popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s. Fronted by lead singer/bassist Gregory “Sugar Bear” Elliot, the group has had a fluctuating membership over the years, but they have maintained a fairly loyal following.
The band’s biggest hit was 1988’s “Da Butt” which charted at number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following the Spike Lee soundtrack success the band signed a deal with Virgin Records and scored two additional Top Billboard Hits. The first hit was “Buck Wild” which was co-written and co-produced by William “Ju Ju” House and the late Kent Wood. “Buck Wild” peaked at #7 on the R&B/Hip Hop Charts. The second Top Billboard hit following the group’s #1 R&B hit “Da Butt” was released on February 2, 1988. “Taste of Your Love” co written by Marvin “MARZ” Ennis and Harold “Chucky” Lloyd.
“Taste of Your Love,” the band’s last Billboard charted hit, was produced by Marvin Ennis. Marvin Ennis also played all the instruments, sang some of the lead vocals, and did all of the background vocals on the track contrary to what the credits on the Livin’ Large album reflect. The song “Da Butt” and the actual band were featured in the movie School Daze, was ranked #489 on Blender Magazine’s “500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born” and #61 on VH1’s 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders of the 80s. In the hourly intros for the latter program, Sugar Bear says he is proud to be a one-hit wonder.
Experience Unlimited further injected DC go-go into the public consciousness with the release of Beck’s “Where It’s At”, a mid 90’s alt-radio staple. The Dust Brothers, who produced Beck’s accompanying album, Odelay sampled the intro break from E.U.’s “Knock Him Out Sugar Ray”, with Beck declaring afterward in the song “…that was a good drum break”.
Experience Unlimited experienced a resurgence in the mid to late 1990s, by partnering with the jazz, gospel, pop and gospel session singer, Maiesha Rashad, while performing under the name Maiesha and The Hip Huggers featuring E.U. Maiesha and The Hip Huggers have headlined events and concert venues such as B.B. King’s Blues Club and Grill, DAR Constitution Hall, Black Family Reunion and D.C.’s Stone Soul Picnic and Unifest.
In 2012, “Da Butt” was licensed for an Xbox 360 game Dance Central 3.[citation needed]
