90s Rewind: Iconic R&B and Hip Hop Artists Digital Underground, Tone Loc, and Color Me Badd Bring It Back at The Great New York State Fair on Opening Day

The Great New York State Fair is taking fairgoers back with a 90s Rewind when iconic R&B and hip hop artists Digital Underground, Tone Loc, and Color Me Badd share the Chevy Court Stage on Opening Day of the Great New York State Fair, Wednesday, August 21 at 6 p.m.

Digital Underground is widely recognized for its unique contributions to hip hop music, as well as possessing one of the best live performances the genre has to offer. The Grammy-nominated multi-platinum group, which was influenced by funk bands of the 70s, is best known for their hits “The Humpty Dance,” “Same Song,” “Kiss U back,” “Doowutchyalike,” and “I Get Around,” featuring Tupac Shakur. The group is also noted for introducing Tupac Shakur to the music industry in 1991. Digital Underground is Money-B, who is noted as having one of the most recognizable voices in hip-hop, and the newest member of Digital Underground, Chris Clarke, or Young Hump.  Money-B has collaborated on and helped sell hundreds of millions of records with the likes of Tupac, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Raw Fusion, Ne-Yo, Ice Cube, George Clinton, The Luniz, Public Enemy, and more.

Tone-Loc, born Anthony Smith, soared from obscurity into pop stardom in 1989 when his hoarse voice and unmistakable delivery made the song “Wild Thing” a massive hit.  The song, which rose to #2 that year on the Billboard Hot 100, was co-written by Marvin Young, better known as Young MC, as was his second single smash, “Funky Cold Medina.”  The album ‘Loc-ed After Dark” became the second rap release ever to top the pop charts.  Tone-Loc expanded into acting in 1992 and 1993, appearing on the Fox sitcom Roc and in the films Posse and Ace Venture: Pet Detective.

Color Me Badd, or Mark Calderon, Bryan Abrams, Sam Watters, and Kevin Thornton, has sold over 12 million records worldwide, had two #1 hit singles, nine Top 40 hits, and a triple-platinum album. The group, which is best known for "I Adore Mi Amor,” "All 4 Love,” and more, was nominated for two Grammy Awards, won two Soul Train Music Awards, and one American Music Award, and nominated for five others. Their songs have been featured in movies and on television programs, including New Jack City, Mo' Money, No Strings Attached, and Glee. They made a cameo appearance as themselves on a 1992 episode of Beverly Hills, 90210.  The group reformed in 2010 and has been touring on several notable tours such as "I Love The 90's Tour,” and supporting other hit acts like Salt N’ Pepa, Vanilla Ice, Bell Biv Devoe, and many more. Founding member Mark Calderon is the only original member leading the group out on tour this summer.

“With the promise of unforgettable beats and a high energy show, the 90s Rewind concert will have fans of R&B and hip hop reliving the early years of the decade when the genre was at an incredible height,” said State Fair Interim Director Julie LaFave. “We’re excited by the fun and diverse lineup we’re putting together for this summer’s Fair and we’re not done yet!”

The Fair starts Wednesday, August 21, and runs through Labor Day, Monday, September 2. All concerts are included in the price of admission, which will go on sale later this summer. The Great New York State Fair is the most affordable state fair in the country.

In total, The Fair’s Chevrolet Music Series will feature 39 national recording acts. There will be a daily 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. concert at Chevy Court (located near Gate 1), and a daily 8 p.m. concert at Suburban Park (located on the western end of the Fairgrounds, beyond the Midway).

All concerts announced thus far are provided in the charts below. Fair staff will continue to update schedules on the Fair’s website at pages dedicated to Chevy Court and Suburban Park.

Chevy Court:

Suburban Park:

Founded in 1841, the Great New York State Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture, provides top-quality entertainment, and is a key piece of the state’s CNY Rising strategy of growing the Central New York economy through tourism. It is the oldest fair in the United States and is consistently recognized as being among the top five state fairs in the nation.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. Audiences are encouraged to learn more about the Great New York State Fair online, browse photos on Flickr, and follow the fun on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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