Video by Jean-Baptiste Mondino, 1984
BUY VINYL: https://krootchey.bandcamp.com/album/quest-cquil-a
Philippe Krootchey was a musician, DJ, radio and television host born in Versailles, France in 1954. In the early 1970s he joined the political gay liberation movement Revolutionary Homosexual Action Front (Front Homosexuel d’Action Révolutionnaire) that helped give radical visibility to homosexuals. Turning to the festive nightclub scene of Paris, Philippe became one of the most important disc jockeys of the late 70s and early 80s holding residencies at les Bains-Douches and the Privilège. Philippe’s look was striking and his elegance and charisma massive. In 1981 he formed the band Love International with Philippe Chany and Fred Versailles and released the #1 disco single “Dance On The Groove (And Do The Funk)” Between 1984 and 1988 he released three titles under his name Whatazzy (1984), I Hear My Ears (1986), Cruel Justifier (1988).
In 1984 Krootchey released his debut single “Qu’est c’qu’il a (d’plus que moi ce négro là?)” re-released the same year but sung in English as “Whatazzy” on disco label Casablanca Records. For this release he teamed up with former Love International bandmate Fred Versailles, who shared his love for Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra as well as glam rock and 70’s black American soul music. Fred remembers, “The idea was to send a message about racism against black people with a humorous tone. The title “Qu’est c’qu’il a (d’plus que moi ce négro là?)” translates to “What has this nigger got, that I do not have?” Reversing the racial scales, Philippe (who is black) would get the girls and the fame, making white people jealous. It was Philippe’s tactful way to joke about racism he had experienced and overcame.” The result is a slick electro funk jam reminiscent of Grandmaster Flash and Afrika Bambata with Philippe rapping and subverting racism at the same time. Sadly on September 2, 2004 Krootchey died of a cerebral aneurysm, just short of celebrating his 50th birthday.
“He belonged to nothing, no clan, he was light in the good sense of the word and his supple resistance persisted.” – Jean-Baptiste Mondino