Burning The Ground Exclusive
When Heavy D. & The Boyz dropped their exuberant take on “Now That We Found Love” in 1991, they didn’t just revive a classic—they transformed it into one of the most infectious party anthems of the early ‘90s.
Originally written by legendary songwriting duo Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff, the song was first recorded by The O’Jays in 1973 before being given a reggae-infused hit version by Third World in 1978. But it was Heavy D.’s buoyant, hip-house reinterpretation—powered by the unmistakable production of Teddy Riley—that brought the track roaring back into the spotlight for a new generation.
Lifted from the album Peaceful Journey, the single perfectly captured the moment when hip-hop, R&B, and dance music were colliding on mainstream radio. Built around a propulsive beat, bright synth stabs, and a chant-along chorus, the track radiates pure joy. Heavy D.’s charismatic delivery—equal parts smooth and commanding—rides the groove effortlessly, while the call-and-response hook makes it impossible not to move.
The single became a major crossover success, reaching the Top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 and dominating dance floors worldwide. Its appeal was universal: hip-hop heads embraced its energy, clubgoers loved its beat, and pop audiences couldn’t resist its feel-good message.
What also sets this version apart is its visual identity. The music video, featuring energetic choreography and vibrant color, became a staple on MTV, further cementing Heavy D.’s image as one of hip-hop’s most accessible and charismatic frontmen. At a time when the genre was still carving out its mainstream identity, Heavy D. bridged the gap with style and positivity.
For collectors and DJs, the 12″ single is where things really get interesting. Extended mixes leaned further into the track’s club appeal, stretching out the groove and emphasizing its dancefloor roots. These versions highlight the genius of Teddy Riley’s production, allowing the rhythm to breathe while keeping the energy locked at a peak level—perfect for mixing into a late-night set.
More than three decades later, “Now That We Found Love” remains a timeless celebration. It’s a track that transcends eras—rooted in classic soul, reimagined through New Jack Swing, and immortalized as a dancefloor staple. And in the hands of Heavy D. & The Boyz, it became something truly special: a reminder that sometimes the best way to honor a song’s legacy is to completely reinvent it.
Whether you remember it from its chart run, club play, or those unforgettable spins on MTV, one thing is certain—once that beat drops, the love is easy to find.
SIDE A:
Now That We Found Love (Club Version) 5:47
SIDE B:
Now That We Found Love (7″ Radio) 4:18
Now That We Found Love (Instrumental) 5:23
VINYL GRADE:
Vinyl: Near Mint
Sleeve: Near Mint
| Chart | Peak Position | Date |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Billboard Hot 100 | #11 | 1991 |
| US Billboard 12-Inch Singles Sales | #1 | 1991 |
| US Billboard R&B Singles | #5 | 1991 |
| Australia (ARIA) | #6 | 1991 |
| Canada (Dance Urban) | #1 | 1991 |
| UK Singles (OCC) | #2 | 1991 |
RELEASE INFORMATION:
Label: MCA Records – MCA12-54088, Uptown Records – MCA12 54088
Format: Vinyl, 12″, Single, 33 ⅓ RPM
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: Electronic, Hip Hop, Pop
Style: Hip-House
CREDITS:
- Backing Vocals – Aaron Hall
- Design – Reiner Design Consultants, Inc.
- Executive-Producer – Andre Harrell, DJ Eddie F, Heavy D
- Lyrics By [Rap Lyrics] – Heavy D
- Mastered By – Herbie Jr*
- Photography By – Nick Baratta
- Producer, Instrumentation By – Teddy Riley
- Written-By – Kenneth Gamble – Leon Huff*
NOTES:
Original version appears on the forthcoming Heavy D. & The Boyz album Peaceful Journey
Buy the 12″ at DISCOGS
VINYL TRANSFER & AUDIO RESTORATION:
-DjPaulT
for BURNING THE GROUND
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A bit late to the party. Here it goes anyway. Another excellent less top urban radio 40 version is the Morales remixes. You can thank me later.
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1dqinB8GaRuqmlWjuWyw1WVO1X_gPdd1d
Thanks for posting the Morales mixes! I’m surprised these weren’t on his CDs I bought a while back.
Fun fact: the late Heavy D & The Boys did the opening and closing theme for the groundbreaking FOX sketch comedy show In Living Color. If anyone knows of that existing on vinyl or CD I’d love to know and buy it! That theme was a banger and needed to be longer.
Hey Paul This Jamm!! Is In My Top 10 For Sure. You Can Mix Motown Philly With This Jamm!! Thanks For The Ripp!!
Mark, you’re speaking my language with this one. This mix really does sit in that sweet spot where the energy just pops—no surprise it’s in your Top 10. And you’re absolutely right: dropping
“Motownphilly” into a blend with this jam is a killer move. Same era, same swing, same dance‑floor electricity. That transition practically mixes itself.
Always appreciate you riding along for these rips.
Thanks for the love, and keep those blends coming—your DJ brain is always dialed in.
— Paul
Pal, I can’t thank you enough for this record! Before this remake, I really enjoyed the original version. But this remake hyped-up the original so well, with the Hip-House delivery of Heavy D! This was the jam! I miss the man, as he had a style and likability that brought him affection from his millions of fans. I’m so sad of his passing. He got into acting, memorably being featured on the television show, Bones. I miss his larger-than-life persona and his input into the music scene! Have a wonderful weekend, Paul, and thanks for a very cool week of… Read more »
Jeff — you always have a way of putting the heart of a record front and center. Heavy D really was one of those rare artists who carried pure joy into every room he walked into, whether it was a studio, a stage, or a TV set. That Hip‑House swagger he brought to this remake is exactly why it still hits like a burst of sunshine all these years later. He didn’t just reinterpret the song—he lifted it, energized it, and made it feel brand new for a whole generation. I miss him too. There was such warmth in his… Read more »
One of the great unanswered questions of music history! Now that we found love… what are we going to do with it?! No idea, but who really cares with a floor filler like this. And the lyrics really aren’t going to help you answer the question very well either, but who is really listening to the lyrics beyond the epic refrain! Even if you aren’t to familiar with Heavy D or The Boyz, there is just no way you could miss this classic in 1991. And I have to admit, I’m not too familiar with the rest of his discography… Read more »
JP — you nailed it. One of pop’s all-time great lyrical cliffhangers 😀 You’re absolutely right, though—the question doesn’t even matter once that hook kicks in. It’s all about the feeling, and this track just radiates joy from the first beat. I love that you brought up the O’Jays version, too. It really is a completely different experience—laid-back, soulful, and hypnotic in its own way. As you said, it shows just how bulletproof that Gamble & Huff hook is. It can live in totally different worlds and still hit just as hard. And yeah, this is the gold standard for… Read more »
Thank you Paul. What a great track. I always loved to mix it with Paul Hardcastle Remix of Third World – Now That We found Love, which is one of my favovrite version. Every 80s child should know this song. Your comment about this track is right on spot and I am still waiting for Jeffs comment….
Toxicaudio — now that’s a killer mix combo. The Paul Hardcastle remix of Third World is such an underrated gem. It keeps that breezy reggae groove but gives it just enough polish and punch for the dancefloor—perfect bridge between the ‘70s soul roots and the ‘90s club energy of Heavy D. & The Boyz. I can totally hear that transition in a set too—it probably flows effortlessly and keeps the vibe lifted the whole way through. And you’re absolutely right… This is one of those songs that just feels universal. No matter which version you land on, it hits. Definitely… Read more »
Hey Toxicaudio,
I loved how you mentioned, Third World, as this is the version I know. I never knew that the O’Jays did it originally, so thank you, JP! I love this record and it hit hard! I love this place! I love the people who comment here, like yourself!
You have a terrific weekend, Toxicaudio!!
Jeff
Thank you Jeff and have great weekend too.
Thanks for the upload, such a banger of a tune. Played this on promo 12″ back in ’91 and also played it on my last night of dj’ing Jan ’15. A timeless classic.
Alan — that’s what I love to hear. There’s something really special about a track that stays with you from the early days all the way to your last night behind the decks—that says everything about its staying power. Heavy D. & The Boyz really caught lightning in a bottle with this one. And spinning it from the original promo 12″ in ’91? You were right there when it mattered most. I can only imagine how the floor reacted when that beat dropped—instant energy. The fact that you brought it back in 2015 for your final set is kind of… Read more »
check out david morales remixes u can re up anytime https://we.tl/t-6vBeJj3tjPmS32KW
Hi Malik, thanks for the upload. Any chance for FLAC or at least 16/44WAV?
audcityteam.org
audacityteam.org
my bad it was convert to flac
One of my favourites from the Summer of 1991. I still have the album Peaceful Journey on CD that I purchased then.
Cheers Paul 🙂
Mark — Summer of ’91 is exactly where this one lives.
There was just something in the air that year, and Heavy D. & The Boyz had the perfect soundtrack for it. Every time I hear it, I’m instantly transported back to that moment.
Great that you still have Peaceful Journey on CD too—that’s a time capsule right there. Nothing beats holding onto those original purchases, especially when they’re tied to memories like that.
Cheers, Mark — always appreciate you stopping by!
Your comment about this song is absolutely right, exactly as it happened. From that era there’s a song that would be great if you could post it: Icy Blue – Pump It
Richard — really appreciate that, thank you!
And great shout on Icy Blue – “Pump It” is such a deep cut from that era. That late ‘80s/early ‘90s freestyle energy is hard to beat, and tracks like that definitely deserve more love.
I’ll dig through my crates to see what I have—it would be a fun one to revisit and share here.
Thanks for the suggestion… keep them coming!
I have to disagree, Icy Blu is no deep cut! It was essential listening at least for me lol. Ok, ok, probably a deep cut for most though! Such a great track. That Push It sample is hypnotic. I remember how tough it was to track the abum down at the time (the other one that gave me trouble was the Tairrie B album with Murder She Wrote on it). So many great songs based on samples 🙂
WHAT!!!! man, this takes me right back to the summer of 91. I can literally remember the old Nissan I had at the time. One of the things I love about music is how it can really bring back clear memories. And this is just a great song!! Thank you so much! it has been fun going back to the early 90’s this week!!
Greg — I love this kind of memory.
It’s wild how a song like this can instantly put you back behind the wheel, like no time has passed. That’s the magic of music—it locks those moments in place. And Heavy D. & The Boyz definitely gave us one of those time machines with this track.
Summer of ’91, windows down, that beat on the radio… doesn’t get much better than that.
Glad you’ve been enjoying the early ‘90s throwbacks this week—plenty more where that came from!
Featuring Aaron hall (the nasty man) on it do u have David morales mixes also guy 12” singles like Teddys jam groove me (2 copies 12” it has dub and Acapella) please
I will see what I have. 🙂
I love this track and was huge into the whole Teddy Riley stuff at the time BUT somehow I NEVER knew it was a cover! Wow! 🤯🤩 thanks for this excellent write up / post!
Feeling so dumb! Should have know as a liner notes addict!!!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
ING — don’t feel dumb at all! 😀
Honestly, Heavy D. & The Boyz and Teddy Riley reinvented it so completely that it feels like an original. You’re definitely not alone—this one slipped past a lot of people back then.
And that just speaks to how strong the foundation is. The The O’Jays version and the Third World take both live in totally different worlds, yet somehow all three versions work perfectly.
Also—fellow liner notes addict here 🙋♂️—sometimes even those don’t prepare you for a glow-up like this one!
Really glad you enjoyed the post!
Love it !!!
Thank you, Peter 🙂
Heavy D. & The Boyz – Now That We Found Love (US 12″) (1991). What makes this 12-inch release special is how it balances the energy of rap with a pop and R&B sensibility that was unstoppable on the dance floors of 1991. Aaron Hall’s vocals on the chorus provide that necessary soulful texture, while Heavy D’s verses flow with impressive technical agility despite the track’s fast tempo. This song was not only a chart success (reaching the Top 5 in several countries), but it also helped solidify Heavy D’s career as an artist who could cross genre boundaries without… Read more »
Rubén — this is a fantastic breakdown. You really hit on what makes this record work so well—that balance between hip-hop energy and pop/R&B accessibility is exactly why it crossed over the way it did. Heavy D. & The Boyz managed to keep it credible while still making it completely universal. And I’m glad you highlighted Aaron Hall—his contribution is essential. That chorus has just the right amount of soul to anchor the track, giving it warmth and depth against that high-energy groove. You’re absolutely right about its impact on Heavy D’s career too. This was a defining moment that… Read more »
Love it! Thanks a ton for this!
My pleasure, Grant. Thanks for your comment 🙂
Greetings DJ Paul
I’ve been using your blog as a reference for many years, but I think this is the first time I’ve written to you. I was looking at some of the posts and the links are broken or expired. Is there any way to get those tracks? By the way, I hope you’re feeling better. Best regards!
Reinaldo — first off, thank you for being a long-time reader, and I really appreciate you taking the time to write! You’re absolutely right—some of the older links are no longer active. Due to limited storage space on my web host, I do have to periodically remove older uploads to make room for new material. It’s the only way I can keep Burning the Ground going and continue sharing fresh content. That said, I also rotate things back in from time to time—so some of those older posts do eventually resurface with new links when I revisit them. Unfortunately, I’m… Read more »
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