Dana Dane Explained

Dana Dane
Birth Name:Dana McCleese
Birth Date:6 September 1965[1]
Birth Place:Brooklyn, New York City, U.S.
Instrument:Rapping
Genre:Hip hop
Years Active:1985–present
Associated Acts:Slick Rick
Hurby Luv Bug

Dana McCleese (born September 6, 1965), better known by his stage name Dana Dane, is an American rapper known for performance of humorous lyrics and for his fashion sense.

Early life

Dana was born in the Walt Whitman housing project in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, New York City, New York.[2]

Career

Recording artist

Dana Dane's career began as part of the Kangol Crew with fellow rapper Slick Rick, to whom he sounded markedly similar, although Slick Rick's English lilt was actually genuine, while Dana Dane's was an affectation.[2] [3] Dana Dane appeared in the video for Slick Rick's 1988 single "Teenage Love".[4] After graduating from high school, he signed with Profile Records in 1985.[2]

Dana Dane's debut album, Dana Dane with Fame, peaked at #46 on the Billboard album chart and was certified gold. His debut single was "Nightmares".[2] His biggest hit in the United States was "Cinderfella Dana Dane", which peaked at #11 on Billboard magazine's R&B charts in 1987. Cheryl Green from Queens, NY sang backup.[5] He was among Profile Records's core artists, then recorded briefly for Rap-A-Lot Records but did not release anything on that label. He released his last album, Rollin' Wit Dana Dane, in 1995 on Maverick Records.

Other activities

Dane operated a clothing boutique in New York City in the late 1980s and early 1990s. For six years, he was an on-air host for Sirius/XM Satellite Radio on its classic hip-hop channel LL Cool J's Rock the Bells radio (formerly BackSpin).[6]

He makes a cameo appearance as himself in the 2002 film Brown Sugar.[7]

In 2009, he released his first novel, Numbers (One World/Ballantine/Random House).[3]

Discography

Studio albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:23em;"
Album detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
US
[8]
US
R&B<br/>/HH
[9]
Dana Dane with Fame
  • Released: May 22, 1987
  • Label: Profile
  • Formats: CD, LP, cassette
462

Gold[10]

Dana Dane 4 Ever
  • Released: October 11, 1990
  • Label: Profile
  • Formats: CD, LP, cassette
15023
Rollin' wit Dana Dane 42
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Compilation albums

Title! scope="col" rowspan="1" style="width:16em;"
Album details
Best of Dana Dane
Profile Singles[11]
  • Released: July 31, 2020
  • Label: RCA
  • Formats: Digital download, streaming

Singles

Title! scope="col" rowspan="2"
YearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US Bub.
[12]
US R&B
[13]
US Rap
[14]
"Nightmares"198521Dana Dane with Fame
"Delancey Street"198644
"This be the Def Beat"198730
"Cinderfella Dana Dane"11
"Dana Dane with Fame"
"Love at First Sight"1988
"Little Bit of Dane Tonight"19905317Dana Dane 4 Ever
"Tales from the Dane Side"1991
"Record Jock"1994156111Rollin' wit Dana Dane
"Rollin' wit Dana Dane"1995187725
"Chester"
"Think Twice"1997rowspan="2"
"What Up Love?"1999
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Birth information for Dana McCleese. FamilySearch.org. June 16, 2017.
  2. Web site: Dana Dane - Biography . Dane Dane mixes light-hearted rap with love of fashion . . August 16, 2016.
  3. News: Simon . Scott . Dana Dane: From Hip-Hop To The Printed Page . August 16, 2021 . NPR . April 18, 2009.
  4. News: Hernandez . Victoria . DANA DANE NAMES SLICK RICK'S "THE GREAT ADVENTURES OF SLICK RICK" ONE OF GOAT ALBUMS . August 16, 2021 . Hip Hop DX . November 5, 2016.
  5. Chart history
  6. Web site: Dana Dane . Hip Hop Golden Age . August 16, 2021.
  7. News: 'Brown Sugar' Soundtrack Packed Tight . August 16, 2021 . Billboard . August 6, 2002.
  8. News: Dana Dane Chart History. Billboard 200. July 23, 2021.
  9. News: Dana Dane Chart History. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. July 23, 2021.
  10. United States. album. Dana Dane. July 23, 2021.
  11. Web site: Profile Singles - Sweet Tee - Release Info. Apple Music. April 25, 2021.
  12. Web site: Bubbling Under Hot 100. Billboard.com . January 25, 2021.
  13. Web site: Special Ed - US R&B/Hip-Hop Songs . Billboard.com . January 25, 2021.
  14. Web site: Special Ed - US Hot Rap Songs . Billboard.com . January 25, 2021.