C C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (1991) May 2026

: The song relied on a "vocal yin/yang," pairing the powerful, gospel-inflected "soulful house diva" hooks of Martha Wash with the "rumbling rhymes" of baritone rapper Freedom Williams.

: The single hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1991 and topped the R&B/Urban and Dance Club Play charts. The Martha Wash Controversy: A Fight for Credit C C Music Factory - Gonna Make You Sweat (1991)

: It blended "white hot metal guitar riffs" with "clattering percussion" and synthetic house beats. This "hip-house" style allowed the track to crossover into pop, R&B, and rock charts. : The song relied on a "vocal yin/yang,"

: This case, coinciding with the Milli Vanilli scandal, became a historic turning point for artist rights. The settlement in 1994 led to a disclaimer on the music video—crediting Wash for "vocals" and Davis for "visualization"—and resulted in federal legislation making vocal credits mandatory for all music videos and albums in the U.S.. Cultural Legacy This "hip-house" style allowed the track to crossover

The release of by C+C Music Factory in late 1990—and its subsequent chart dominance in 1991—was a watershed moment for dance music . While the track is now a cultural staple, its history is a complex mix of groundbreaking production and a landmark legal battle that fundamentally changed how vocalists are credited in the music industry. The Sound: Fusing House, Hip-Hop, and Rock

While the song's voice was everywhere, its face was hidden. The music video featured model-turned-singer Zelma Davis lip-syncing to Martha Wash's powerhouse vocals.