In 1987, one year after the release of their third album, The Fat Boys released their fourth album CRUSHIN’, which contained 10 songs and would be their most successful album, going platinum. This would be largely based on the success of their first single, a remake of The Surfaris’ instrumental classic, Wipe Out. I guess after the massive success of their previous cover of James Brown’s Sex Machine, the group decide to cover another 1960s tune. But to make this one even more special, they ingeniously teamed up with the classic rock band The Beach Boys to remake this song.

It’s so silly but also so fun!

Their second single from this album was FALLING IN LOVE. This was the same year LL Cool J released his hit I NEED LOVE from his second album Bigger And Deffer, and it seems like after that, every major rap act tried to make a love song. So it’s no surprise that The Fat Boys would attempt to jump on this trend, but this one genre that they just weren’t cut out for. They have other songs on the album like  BOYS WILL BE BOYS and BETWEEN THE SHEETS, which have them rapping to the ladies, and those songs fit their style better.

They also tried to mimic Run-DMC’s rap/rock hybrid style with HELL NO! But it doesn’t feel as natural coming from them.

Another notable track is PROTECT YOURSELF/MY NUTS, a hybrid song. The first minute and a half is what may be the very first rap song about practicing safer sex. It’s Buff Love providing the human beat box sounds as Prince Markie Dee and Kool Rock Ski rap about using condoms.
Now, if what I say sounds a little bit sleazy
If using a condom makes you feel kinda queasy
Don’t take it too hard, ‘cuz there’s no doubt
That modern diseases can take you out
So, don’t be ashamed – take one when you go dancin’
And use the condom for a little romancin’
‘Cuz being safe don’t mean you’re weak
And you won’t find yourself up the creek
Hey, it’s an important message! Albeit a slightly undercut message, when it switches to a regular beat for the song My Nutz for the rest of the four-minute and nine-second track.
Yo! Me and my nuts are a real def freak
They don’t do nothing else but hang with me
We’re a real good team on the football field
And if my nuts have trouble, Yo, he gets ill!

The rest of the album consists of songs like the title track CRUSHIN’, FAT BOYS DANCE, ROCK RULIN and MAKING NOISE are traditional Fat Boys songs. They rap basic braggadocio lyrics over hard beats, with Buff Love beatboxing. Nothing groundbreaking, but if you were a Fat Boys fan back then, this is what you were expecting from them, and they provided it. You have to admire their consistency.

Defying expectations, Crushin’ is another Fat Boys classic. Chacebook rating: FOUR STARS

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