The Fatback Band, formed in New York City in 1970 by drummer Bill Curtis, is a pioneering American funk and disco ensemble renowned for their innovative fusion of New Orleans jazz beats with West Indian and Caribbean rhythms. ([astralpeople.com](https://www.astralpeople.com/tours/fatback-band-december-2015?utm_source=openai)) Their dynamic sound produced R&B classics like "(Do the) Spanish Hustle," "I Like Girls," and "Backstrokin'." Notably, their 1979 track "King Tim III (Personality Jock)" is widely regarded as the first commercially released hip-hop single. ([en.wikipedia.org](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fatback_Band?utm_source=openai)) With over 35 albums spanning genres from jazz to rap, the Fatback Band's enduring influence continues to resonate in contemporary music.