A Lighter Shade of Brown

The Latin hip-hop duo A Lighter Shade Of Brown was formed in 1987 by Robert Gutierrez (also known as "One Dope Mexican") and Bobby Ramirez (also known as "Don't Try To Xerox"). Based in Riverside, California, the teenage rappers partnered with the indie label Pump Records for the release of their 1990 debut, Brown & Proud. "On A Sunday Afternoon," a laidback single featuring samples of The Young Rascals' "Groovin'" and Tommy James And The Shondells' "Crystal Blue Persuasion," became an international hit, reaching Number 39 on the Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at Number 1 in New Zealand. Hip Hop Locos followed in 1992 and yielded the moderately-successful song "Homies," while 1994's Layin' In The Cut produced the rap hit "If You Wanna Groove" as well as the crossover single "Hey DJ," which peaked at Number 43 on the Hot 100 and Number 18 on the Hot Rap Singles chart. After failing to chart with 1997's self-titled A Lighter Shade Of Brown and 1999's If You Could See Inside Me, A Lighter Shade Of Brown's original lineup splintered, with Robert Gutierrez leaving the group to begin his new career as a radio DJ. Bobby Ramirez continued to tour under A Lighter Shade Of Brown's name and released It's A Wrap in 2011. He died five years later, succumbing to cardiac arrest at 46 years old.

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