In 1990 Robert Bell of Kool & The Gang discovered the quartet Color Me Badd. The group was formed in Oklahoma City; original members were Bryan Abrams, Sam Watters, Kevin Thornton and Mark Calderon.  Color Me Badd’s I Wanna Sex You Up first appeared on the New Jack City soundtrack in March 1991.

 

I Wanna Sex You Up peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and did even better overseas topping the UK Singles Chart. The single sold two million before the end of June and hit number one on the Billboard Hot R&B Songs chart. Though very much a pop sound, Color Me Badd was more mature than your typical “Boy Band”. They didn’t try to pretend to be anything they weren’t. They didn’t try to act street or tough, they just sang, and all four members contributed with their own unique style. Color Me Badd was honest, fresh and fun.

 

In July Color Me Badd released their much anticipated debut album, C.M.B. The album reached number 3 on the Billboard 200 and would go on to sell over 3 million copies. A second version of I Wanna Sex You Up appeared on C.M.B., though the music and production remained the same, alternate lyrics were added to the track. On the New Jack City version the song begins “Hey beautiful lady, I need you tonight….” And on the C.M.B. version the song starts off  “Come inside take off your coat I’ll make you feel at home…” So if you heard both versions….you weren’t crazy, there was something different.