2 Too Many

West Philadelphia act sponsored by local boys made good DJ Jazzy Jeff And The Fresh Prince. 2 Too Many’s debut single, ‘Where’s The Party’, was hugely reminiscent of their better-known colleagues’ style, with a penchant for fun over gangsta or socio-political concerns. The duo comprise Jazz (b. Armique Shartez Wyche, c.1972), L’il Troy (b. Troy Carter, c.1973) and Ant Live (b. Anthony Fontenot, c.1974). They had been rapping together since the late 80s, before Jazz and Troy linked up in the 9th Grade, bringing aboard cousin Ant to finalize the band’s line-up. They took their name from their high-school poverty; whenever they would attempt to embark on an evening’s entertainment or activity, they always found enough to pay for one, and thus became: 2 Too Many. However, fortunes changed when they met Will Smith (aka the Fresh Prince) when he was recording next door to their rehearsal room. They introduced themselves and invited him to see them play. The result was a contract with his own Willjam Productions through Jive Records. He teamed them up with Hula and Fingers, the production duo behind his huge 1991 success, ‘Summertime’.