Burning The Ground Exclusive 1988
“Are You Ready for Freddy” is a single by the Fat Boys, released in 1988 to coincide with the release of “A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master.” This unique collaboration merges hip-hop with horror, as the song features Robert Englund himself, in character as Freddy Krueger, delivering his iconic lines. The track features the Fat Boys’ trademark humor and beatboxing style, making it both catchy and eerie.
In the song, Freddy raps alongside the Fat Boys, warning listeners to be “Ready for Freddy” as he claims his next victims. It’s a playful take on the horror genre, mixing Freddy’s menacing persona with the Fat Boys’ fun and energetic delivery.
In the video, Prince Markie Dee’s “Uncle Frederick” has died, and his lawyer (Bert Remsen) meets the group outside the Nightmare on Elm Street house. The lawyer informs Markie that he must spend the night inside Uncle Frederick’s home to earn his inheritance, so the group enters. Not long after, Freddy Krueger appears and begins to chase the band throughout the house, slashing with his claw while stopping to rap.
This track remains a memorable example of how hip-hop crossed over with other genres and pop culture phenomena in the 80s, creating unexpected and memorable pairings.
The song was also included in the Fat Boy’s LP “Coming Back Hard Again”.
+ All tracks are vinyl-only
SIDE A:
Are You Ready For Freddy (12″ Version) 7:00
Are You Ready For Freddy (7″ Version) 3:34
SIDE B:
Are You Ready For Freddy (Dub Version) 6:17
Back And Forth (12″ Version) 5:14
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: Tin Pan Apple – 887 894-1
Format: Vinyl, 12″, 33 ⅓ RPM, Maxi-Single
Country: US
Released: 1988
Genre: Hip Hop
Style: Pop Rap
CREDITS:
- Edited By – Albert Cabrera, Tony Moran
- Engineer [Mix] – Bob Rosa
- Photography By – Nancy Brown (2)
- Producer – Chris Richards, The Indiana Crew, Tony Bongiovi
NOTES:
Latin Rascals Productions Inc.
Special Thanks to Kevin Benson, Tony Bongiovi, Freddy Krueger, Bill Stettner, and Joe Zynczak.
Original Version on the Tin Pan Apple/Polydor LP “Coming Back Hard Again” (835809-1)
Samples “For The Love Of Money” by The O’Jays.
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
burningtheground.net
THE GEAR:
Turntable: Technics SL-1200MK7
Cartridge/Stylus: Ortofon 2M Black PnP MkII
Turntable Isolation Platform: ISO-Tone™ Turntable Isolation Platform
Platter: Pro Spin Acrylic Mat
Stabilizer: Pro-Ject Record Puck
Phono Pre-amp: Pro-Jec Tube Box DS2
Tubes: Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 ECC83/B759 Gold Pins Vacuum Tube – Matched Pair
DAC: Alpha Design Labs GT40a USB DAC
Record Cleaning: VPI HW 16.5 Record Cleaning Machine
Artwork Scans: Epson Workforce WF-7610 Professional Printer/Scanner
SOFTWARE:
Recording/Editing: Adobe Audition 25 (Recording)
Down Sampling/Dither: iZotope RX Advanced 2
Artwork Editor: Adobe Photoshop CS5
Click Removal: Manual
FLAC/MP3 Conversion: dBpoweramp
M3U Playlist: Playlist Creator
RESTORATION NOTES:
All vinyl rips are recorded @ 32bit/float
FLAC (Level Eight)
Artwork scanned at 600dpi
**24bit FLAC Only Available For Seven Days!
Password: burningtheground
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THANK YOU for another fantastic 12″, Paul! I know a lot of people don’t take the Fat Boys seriously, but I’ve always loved them, especially their remixes. So, I hope you have more by them. Freddy literally gave me nightmares as a kid. I wonder if it would have eased my fear, had I seen him rapping in this video … lol
You’re welcome, Martika. I loved their creativity.
Such a fun novelty jam!! Fat Boys were like the 3 Stooges of rap, never seemed to take themselves seriously, Lol. I liked their Wipeout mixes with The Beach Boys and The Twist with Chubby Checker too. Thank you for this ‘fresh’ transfer Paul, with all vinyl-only tracks! Btw Freddie Krueger had such a ‘grip’ on the culture at that time, you might recall DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s Nightmare On My Street!
I agree Freddy was everywhere in the 80s such an icon. I think I posted that DJ Jazzy Jeff track last year one of my favorites.
You absolutely did! Thanks for the reminder.
Lovely stuff Paul, thanks for sharing. Have to say that I’m not a fan of the AI content tho, sorry.
Thanks so much, Jon, for the kind words and for checking out the site! I appreciate the feedback on the AI content too – it’s all about trying new things and seeing what works for everyone. Always grateful to have your support, and I’ll keep the focus on what everyone enjoys most. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
What AI content is Jon referring to?
It was just the spooky season spin illustration and the Frankenstein 1984 one that I noticed the other day Retro.
Gotcha thanks.
That’s too bad! I absolutely loved the cover he created for Frankenstein. In fact I just commented on it. So, you did this with AI? I think you should keep doing it.
Thank you. I gave AI my concept and it helped me tweak it a bit. It was fun trying something new.
I get it totally Paul, it’s a fun tool to try out for sure. Thanks for sharing all the great tracks.
I saw this comment on Youtube, thought it was funny, “This falls under “How to tell when your horror franchise refuses to take itself seriously anymore”. Kicking song though. Yes, KICKING SONG!
That’s funny. I Totally agree 🙂
This is a real treat and a tickle, Paul! Fat Boys were so much fun to listen and dance to. Their humor and beatbox stylings made their songs very special!! They were like the Three Stooges of rap.
I’m so happy to get this from you, Paul! And knowing there are Latin Rascals’ edits on here is icing on the cake! Albert Cabrera and Tony Moran are some of my heroes alongside Arthur Baker and John Robie. I get all fired up when their productions hit your site, Paul!
Thanks again for this percussive Halloween confection!!
Jeff
You’re welcome, Jeff. The edits are not overly done which I like. I also really like the B-side track. Latin Rascals dipped into all genres. Good stuff here.