1987–1990: Formation and Pump Up the Jam Technotronic was formed in 1987 by Belgian musician, songwriter, and record producer
Jo Bogaert, who had gained popularity in Europe as a solo artist with various
new beat projects, including Acts of Madmen and Nux Nemo.
Congolese–Belgian rapper
Ya Kid K joined Technotronic on vocals, Bogaert adopted the stage name Thomas De Quincey, and in September 1989, they released the single "
Pump Up the Jam", though Ya Kid K was initially uncredited for her contributions to the song. A front for the act was put together (in a way similar to other Eurodance acts like
Black Box and
Milli Vanilli), utilizing Congolese-born fashion model Felly Kilingi, who was presented as the group's vocalist. She featured on the single's cover art, which was credited as "Technotronic featuring Felly", and she also appeared in the music video for the song. The track became a worldwide success, eventually reaching No. 2 on both the
Billboard Hot 100 and the
UK Singles Chart in late 1989 and early 1990. Technotronic issued their debut studio album,
Pump Up the Jam, in late 1989, which included vocals by Ya Kid K and
MC Eric but still featured Kilingi on the cover. The record peaked at No. 10 on the
Billboard 200 in the US and reached No. 2 on the
UK Albums Chart. Following the release of the album, Ya Kid K was revealed to be the group's main vocalist, with Bogaert admitting that "[Felly] didn't have much to do with the record. Me, Eric and Ya Kid did it all. We needed Felly to help promote the group at first — to create this image". "Turn It Up" was not as successful as the group's prior releases, and Melissa and Einstein later left the group. Reggie provided vocals for six tracks on the album, which also featured singer Riv and rapper Colt 45 on two tracks. Several singles were released in Europe, the UK, and Australia, including "Move That Body", "Work", and "Money Makes the World Go Round". In 1992, the song "
Move This" from
Pump Up the Jam became popular through its use in a
Revlon television commercial. Ya Kid K rejoined the group, and the song was released as a single. In 1993, Technotronic issued
The Greatest Hits, which included the new songs "Hey Yoh Here We Go" and "One + One", both featuring vocals by Ya Kid K.
1995–2001: Recall and later releases Continuing with Ya Kid K as frontwoman, Technotronic released the single "Move It to the Rhythm" in 1994. It was followed in 1995 by the album
Recall and the further singles "Recall" and "I Want You by My Side", the latter of which features the singer Black Diamond. The album also included vocals by
Daisy Dee, on two tracks. In 1996, the group released the remix EP ''Pump Up the Jam – The '96 Sequel'', followed in 1998 by the single "Get Up – The '98 Sequel", as well as the compilations
This Beat Is Technotronic (Hits & Mixes) and
Pump Up the Hits. Technotronic returned in 1999 with the new singles "G-Train" and "Like This", featuring Monday Midnite on vocals. In 2000, Ya Kid K returned as the group's vocalist once more, releasing the non-album single "The Mariachi". In 2001, Technotronic released the standalone single "Runaway Blues". ==Discography==