We Are Toonz

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We Are Toonz
OriginStone Mountain, Georgia
GenresHip-Hop, Pop-rap
Years active2013–2015
LabelsVPP,[1] Epic, Sony
Members
  • Cal Lamar
  • K.B.
  • Crash Bandit
  • Levi
WebsiteWeAreToonz.com

We Are Toonz is an American hip hop group from Stone Mountain, Georgia,[2] formed in 2013, known for the viral debut dance single "Drop That #NaeNae", inspired by Martin Lawrence's character Sheneneh Jenkins from his popular 1990's sitcom Martin.[3]

The group members are Tavin "Levi" Bing-Gardner, Christopher "Crash Bandit" Major, Kavin "K.B." Bing-Gardner and Calvin Larmar "Callamar" Glass

History[edit]

The group members have danced and rapped together since childhood. Levi and K.B. are brothers and Crash Bandit is their cousin.

The Crew[edit]

We Are Toonz has many members: Bear, Rari, rique, Pj, Levi, KB, Crash Bandit, Cal Lamar, Bianca Jay, Lil Spinz, dancing dan, Marc is art. Four members are not in the group: Bear, Pj, Rari, Lil Spinz[citation needed]

Music career[edit]

Social Media Influence[edit]

We Are Toonz released Drop That #NaeNae in 2013 without much fanfare. The group posted a video of themselves performing the #NaeNae Dance on the social video sharing website Vine and other social media websites like Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. As the song gained momentum the Drop That #NaeNae went viral. The Michigan State Football team can be seen dropping that #NaeNae on YouTube, and breaking down the #NaeNae dance on Vine.[4] Video postings from other college teams dropping that #NaeNae to foster team spirit started going viral as well, Ohio State,[5] Temple University,[6] Auburn University,[7] Notre Dame,[8] and Mercer Bear basketball team victory #NaeNae over Duke's Blue Devils.[9]

Houston Rockets', Dwight Howard posted videos of himself dropping the #NaeNae.[10] After which, he reached out to the group to record a video in Atlanta.[11] Washington Wizards', John Wall celebrated his slam dunk contest win by dropping that "NaeNae" with Paul George.[12] Due to the Vines, videos and GIFs the group saw a 311% spike in mentions of the #NaeNae hashtag.[13]

Coca-Cola[edit]

In August 2014 Coca-Cola released a commercial featuring We Are Toonz for their Ahh Campaign targeting the teen and young adult demographic.[14] We Are Toonz are the first hip-hop act to collaborate with Coca-Cola since R&B singer Tyrese Gibson. The group was selected by the brand after seeing them perform at the World of Coke Ahh stage at the 2013 BET Hip-Hop Awards.

Discography[edit]

Singles[edit]

Single Year Label
"Drop That #NaeNae" 2013 VPP, Epic
"Drop That #NaeNae Remix" (featuring Lil Jon, French Montana & T-Pain) 2014 VPP, Epic
"DJ Play My Song" (featuring Mike Epps) 2014 VPP, Epic
"Lit Up" (featuring Jazze Pha) 2015 VPP

References[edit]

  1. ^ Rauly Ramirez (January 27, 2014). "New Hip-Hop Dance Craze:'Drop That #NaeNae'". Billboard Magazine.
  2. ^ "Atlanta's We Are Toonz storming the country with the Nae Nae". accessatlanta.com. Melissa Ruggieri.
  3. ^ Rauly Ramirez. "New Hip-Hop Dance Craze: 'Drop That #NaeNae'". www.billboard.com. Billboard Magazine.
  4. ^ Ben Cornfield. "Michigan State players break down #NaeNae dance in locker room". gamedayr.com.
  5. ^ "Ohio State Football NaeNae & Dougie". YouTube.com. xgamerjd.
  6. ^ "Football does the Nae Nae Dance". YouTube. Temple Owls Football.
  7. ^ "Auburn football players do the NaeNae". YouTube.com. Kasey Langley.
  8. ^ Tristan Thornburgh. "Notre Dame Football Busts out NaeNae Dance After Pinstripe Bowl Win". bleacherreport.com.
  9. ^ Glenn McGraw. "Mercer Dances All Over Duke With NaeNae, Dance White Boy Dance". GamedayR.com.
  10. ^ Glenn McGraw. "Video: Dwight Howards breaks out 'NaeNae Dance' for Instagram".
  11. ^ Edwin Ortiz. "We Are Toonz Lay Claim to the #NaeNae Dance and Talk About Meeting Dwight Howard". complex.com.
  12. ^ Jason McIntyre (18 February 2014). "John Wall Doing the Nae Nae with Paul George Was Better Than the Dunk Contest". thebiglead.com.
  13. ^ Rauly Ramirez. "We Are Toonz' 'Drop That #NaeNae' Dances onto Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". billboard.com.
  14. ^ "We Are Toonz, Creators of the Nae Nae, Ink Deal With Coca-Cola". Musictimes.com. Erika Benton-Martin.

External links[edit]

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