1987–1989: Early beginnings and the 28th Street Crew David Cole and
Robert Clivillés became friends when they both performed at the New York City club Better Days (Clivillés as DJ and Cole as keyboardist) in the late 1980s. In 1987, Clivillés and Cole formed a short-lived
house music group called
2 Puerto Ricans, a Blackman and a Dominican, which also included
David Morales (who, like Clivillés, was a resident DJ at Better Days In 1989, they released their final single, "Scandalous", before disbanding. Following the breakup of their previous group, Clivillés and Cole continued to record music together under the name
the 28th Street Crew. In mid-1989, the duo released an album titled
I Need a Rhythm, whose title track and lead single peaked at no. three on
Billboards
dance chart. In September 1989, the female group
Seduction released their debut album,
Nothing Matters Without Love, which was entirely produced by Clivillés and Cole. The record became
certified Gold in the United States.
1989–1992: C+C Music Factory and Gonna Make You Sweat (
pictured), uncredited female singer of "
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)" In 1989, Clivillés and Cole released a single called "Get Dumb! (Free Your Body)" under the
moniker the Crew, featuring rapper
Freedom Williams. The same year, the duo formed the group C+C Music Factory, In December 1990, C+C Music Factory released their debut album,
Gonna Make You Sweat, which peaked at No. 2 on
Billboards
Top 200 Albums chart. The lead single, "
Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)", which featured rapping by Williams and uncredited lead vocals by
Martha Wash, became an international hit and peaked at No. 1 on
Billboards
Hot 100. The success of the single bolstered the album's success, helping it achieve multi-platinum status for sales exceeding five million copies in the US. In 1991, the group released two top-ten singles, "
Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll)" and "
Things That Make You Go Hmmm..." (inspired by a phrase uttered periodically by late-night talk show host
Arsenio Hall),
1994–1996: Subsequent releases and hiatus In 1994, C+C Music Factory experienced a lineup change: Wash, who had just settled a lawsuit with the group, was asked to join as a full-time vocalist. Williams left the group to pursue a solo career and was replaced by the vocal trio
Trilogy. In August 1994, the group released their second album, titled
Anything Goes!, which performed poorly on
Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart. The lead single, "
Do You Wanna Get Funky", which featured vocals from Davis, Wash, and Trilogy, became a success on the Billboard charts and earned the group their sixth number-one dance hit. The album also featured two minor hits, "Take a Toke" and "I Found Love". On January 24, 1995, David Cole died from
spinal meningitis. Despite the death of one of their core members, C+C Music Factory embarked on another international tour. In November 1995, they released their
self-titled third album. The record was released by Robert Clivillés using the C+C Music Factory name, though it did not feature any musical contributions from Cole, Davis, or Wash, but retained the vocal contributions of Trilogy. The album's lead single, "I'll Always Be Around", became their seventh number-one dance hit. The second single, "Don't Stop the Remix", was the group's final release before disbanding. In October 1996, Clivillés released an album of new material under the name Robi-Rob's Clubworld. The same year, a compilation titled ''Robi Rob's Clubworld – House of Sound presents Clubworld Shut Up and Dance'' was released exclusively in Japan. The album contains past singles and unreleased material recorded by C+C Music Factory.
2010–2011: Comeback C+C Music Factory reformed in 2010, with
Eric Kupper replacing Cole. They released the song "Live Your Life", featuring singer Scarlett Santana, which was included on DJ Bill Coleman's compilation album
Remixxer. In August 2011, Santana released the single "Rain", which was produced by C+C Music Factory (composed of Clivillés and Kupper credited as CnC Music Factory). ==Legacy==