Fonda Rae is an R'n'B/Disco and House/Garage music singer,
born in Ossining, New York, U.S. Her seminal single "Over Like
A Fat Rat" (1982, No.22 U.S. Club Play chart, No.75 U.S. R'n'b
Chart) has been sampled by Eric B. & Rakim in their 1986
single "Eric B. Is President", by Grand Puba in "Fat Rat"
(1991) for the soundtrack of "Strictly Business", by SWV
in
their 1996 single "On & On" and by Kool G Rap & D.J. Polo in
their 1996 single "Lifestyles Of The Rich & Famous".
She arrived at the tail-end of the '70s to power several
enduring post-disco club singles with her flirty, sweet, yet
tough vocals. The native New Yorker debuted on the self-titled
album by Don Armando's 2nd Ave. Rhumba Band, an August Darnell
project on which she was showcased throughout, including both
sides of the "I'm an Indian, Too"/"Deputy of Love" single. She
went on to be featured on Kid Creole's Off the Coast of the
Me, fronted Fantasy's "You're Too Late," and was subsequently
the voice of numerous studio projects, including Patrick
Adams' Rainbow Brown ("I'm the One") and Wish ("Touch Me,"
later covered by Cathy Dennis). During this period, she also
released the occasional solo 12", such as the boogie classic
"Over Like a Fat Rat" (made with Leroy Burgess) and "Heobah"
(which she co-wrote and co-produced). A steady variety of
background session work and featured appearances continued
through the end of the '80s. By the beginning of the '90s, she
was primarily sought for lead vocals on house records. Solo
and co-billed releases popped up on occasion, highlighted by
singles on François Kevorkian's Wave Music label and the
revered U.K. imprint Nuphonic (the latter via a collaboration
with Adam Goldstone). Fonda remained active well into the late
2010s.
She charted with "Heobah (Hey-O-Bah)" (No.19 in
U.S. Club Play chart in 1983) and she was the lead singer for
Don Armando's Second Avenue Rhumba Band's "Deputy Of Love"
(1979) and Fantasy (2)'s "You're Too Late" (1980). She has
sang as well for Rainbow Brown, Players Association, Fat Boys,
Kurtis Blow, Taka Boom, Deborah Harry etc.
Associated
groups she appeared in includes Don Armando's Second Avenue
Rhumba Band, Kid Creole And The Coconuts, Larry Joseph &
Science, Rainbow Brown, Togetherness
