While the song was a global success, reaching #2 on the , it is famous for a significant controversy regarding its lead performer:
The actual rap and vocals were performed by 17-year-old Congolese-Belgian artist Ya Kid K (Manuela Kamosi).
Produced by Thomas De Quincey, the track is built on the distinctive sounds of the Roland TR-909 drum machine. Technotronic - Pump Up The Jam (Official Music Video)
Producers felt Ya Kid K’s look was "too street" for the pop market. Instead, they hired Zambian model Felly Kilingi to appear on the album cover and lip-sync in the iconic music video.
Following the backlash, Ya Kid K was finally featured in the video for their next hit, "Get Up! (Before the Night Is Over)," and appeared on later album covers. Production & Technical Details
"Pump Up the Jam" is the groundbreaking 1989 hit by the Belgian group , often credited with bringing Eurodance and house music to the American mainstream. The Scandal of Mistaken Identity