What makes Livin' Large by Experience Unlimited notable?

The album features the track 'Da Butt,' which became a cultural phenomenon and reached number 35 on the Billboard Hot 100, further popularizing the go-go genre. Its energetic sound and danceable tracks significantly influenced hip-hop and R&B artists in the following years, establishing Experience Unlimited as key players in the East Coast music scene. Released in 1989, Livin' Large marked Experience Unlimited's third studio album following their breakout success with 'Da Butt' from the film School Daze. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their role as prominent figures in the go-go music scene, blending funk influences with distinctive Washington, D.C. rhythms.

How many songs are on Livin' Large?

Livin' Large has 10 tracks, running approximately 49 minutes.

Livin' Large

Experience Unlimited · 1989

49 min · 10 tracks · go-go

A vibrant blend of funk and rhythm, pulsing with the infectious energy of go-go beats and spirited vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Livin' Large — The title track epitomizes the album's exuberance with its catchy hooks and celebratory lyrics about enjoying life to the fullest, embodying the spirit of go-go music.
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Da Butt '89 — 'Da Butt '89' is a reimagined version of their hit that showcases their signature sound while highlighting the infectious dance culture that defined go-go music during this era.
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Shake Your Thang — This track captures the essence of the go-go party vibe with dynamic rhythms and engaging call-and-response elements that invite listeners to dance.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

52 /100

Foothills

Higher than 38% of albums we've rated

The album showcases energetic go-go rhythms and engaging vocal styles but lacks some cohesion in pacing.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy track that sets a consistent upbeat tempo for the first half, maintaining a danceable groove.
Several tracks feature call-and-response vocal patterns, typical of go-go music, encouraging audience interaction.
The last three tracks slow down slightly, creating a contrast to the earlier pace while still retaining rhythmic complexity.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Buck Wild 4:01
2 Livin' Large 6:04
3 Shake Your Thang 4:02
4 Taste of Your Love 5:56
5 Shaka Zulu 4:15
6 Come to the Go-Go 4:50
7 Shake It Like a White Girl 3:41
8 Da Butt '89 5:28
9 Don't Turn Around 6:24
10 Express 4:19

What to play next

Listen next

Cold Kickin' It

1990

Go back to

Rock Yuh Butt

1988

Full Experience Unlimited discography Artists like Experience Unlimited

go-go

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata