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Another Bad Creation

Biography

Another Bad Creation (ABC) was an American hip-hop and R&B group formed in Atlanta, Georgia in 1988, discovered and managed by Michael Bivins of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe fame.[1][3] The group consisted of preteens Romell "RoRo" Chapman, Chris Sellers, David Shelton, and brothers Demetrius "Red" and Marliss "Mark" Pugh, with Adrian "G.A." Witcher serving as an unofficial member.[1] ABC rose to prominence in the early 1990s as part of the new jack swing movement, becoming media darlings by the end of 1991 with appearances on magazine covers, television shows, and in films.[1] Their 1991 debut album Coolin' at the Playground Ya Know! achieved significant commercial success, establishing them as a major schoolyard hip-hop phenomenon with a Top 10 single and hit album.[1][5]

Despite their meteoric rise, ABC's career proved to be short-lived. By 1993, when their sophomore album It Ain't What U Wear, It's How U Play It was released, the group had experienced significant overexposure that diminished their cultural impact.[1] The album's singles, including "I Don't Wanna Be Grown Up" and "Where's Ya Little Sista," failed to chart, and the group soon disbanded.[1] The members went on to pursue individual careers, with some transitioning into acting and community involvement in Atlanta.[1] ABC experienced a quiet reunion in 2006 with The Grady Baby Compilation EP, which featured tracks from past members but received minimal attention.[1]

Fun Facts

  • Another Bad Creation had a notable hip-hop beef with Kris Kross in the early 1990s; Mac Daddy referenced them in the original version of 'Jump' by saying 'don't try to compare us to another bad little fad,' though the conflict ultimately led nowhere.[1]
  • The group dominated pop culture from 1991-1992 but experienced rapid decline by 1993 due to overexposure, demonstrating that the phenomenon of infantile music feuds and short-lived child star careers is not a 21st century invention.[1]
  • ABC's album titles were notably unconventional and cryptic; their debut was titled Coolin' at the Playground Ya Know! and their sophomore album was It Ain't What U Wear, It's How U Play It, the latter of which confused even contemporary observers.[1]
  • Several group members remained in Atlanta as adults and pursued diverse careers; some became involved in community work and acting, with Chris Sellers appearing in the sitcom 'Living With LucyLu' in the 2000s.[1]

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

  • Michael Bivins - Discovered and managed Another Bad Creation; former member of New Edition and Bell Biv DeVoe who transitioned into artist development and management (Discovery and management of ABC; formation of Bell Biv DeVoe) [1988-1993]

Key Collaborators

  • Romell 'RoRo' Chapman - Core group member (All ABC albums and projects) [1988-1993, 2006]
  • Chris Sellers - Core group member; later pursued acting career (All ABC albums and projects; sitcom 'Living With LucyLu') [1988-1993, 2006, 2000s+]
  • David Shelton - Core group member (All ABC albums and projects) [1988-1993, 2006]
  • Demetrius 'Red' Pugh - Core group member; brother of Mark Pugh (All ABC albums and projects) [1988-1993, 2006]
  • Marliss 'Mark' Pugh - Core group member; brother of Red Pugh (All ABC albums and projects) [1988-1993, 2006]
  • Adrian 'G.A.' Witcher - Unofficial member of the group (All ABC albums and projects) [1988-1993, 2006]

Connection Network

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Discography

Albums

Title Release Date Type
Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know! 1991-02-11 Album
It Ain't What U Wear, It's How U Play It 1993-01-01 Album
Coolin' at the Playground Ya Know! 1991 Album

Top Tracks

  1. Iesha (Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know!)
  2. Playground (Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know!)
  3. Iesha (Hitsville USA, The Motown Collection 1972-1992)
  4. Jealous Girl (Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know!)
  5. Spydermann (Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know!)
  6. My World (Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know!)
  7. A.B.C. (Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know!)
  8. Little Soldiers (Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know!)
  9. That's My Girl (Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know!)
  10. Got It Goin'On (It Ain't What U Wear, It's How U Play It)

Heard on WWOZ

Another Bad Creation has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.

DateTimeTitleShowSpotify
Dec 2, 202500:08Ieshafrom Coolin' At The Playground Ya Know!Adjacentw/ Benny Poppins