On this day August 27 1987, Open Sesame by Whodini was released. As their fourth studio album, it arrived at a time when hip hop was rapidly evolving and new sounds were taking over the scene. Whodini leaned into a harder funk influenced style, blending rap with R&B grooves and electronic rhythms.
The album featured tracks like Be Yourself, Rock You Again, and Life Is Like a Dance, showcasing their signature mix of storytelling and danceable beats. While it did not match the commercial success of Escape or Back in Black, Open Sesame still made a mark with its polished production and mature themes. The group’s chemistry and smooth delivery gave the record a sense of style that stood out from the increasingly aggressive tone of late 80s rap.
Open Sesame captured the sound of a group adapting to a shifting genre landscape while staying true to the elements that built their early success.
80s insight: Whodini was one of the first rap groups to combine street conscious lyrics with melodic hooks and club ready production, laying the groundwork for what would become mainstream hip hop.