The Whatnauts

The Whatnauts were a pivotal Baltimore soul trio consisting of Billy Herndon, Gerard 'Chunky' Pinkney, and Garrett Jones. Formed in 1969, they became a cornerstone of the Stang Records roster, often collaborating with producer George Kerr.

Their sound identity is defined by a sophisticated blend of 'Sweet Soul' vocal harmonies and a tougher, street-informed rhythmic section. Historically, they are significant for bridging the gap between the socially conscious soul of the late 60s (exemplified by 'Message From A Black Man') and the proto-disco and boogie sounds of the early 80s ('Help Is on the Way'). Their career arc saw them evolve from local favorites to international soul icons, notably through their collaboration with The Moments on the hit 'Girls.' In the modern era, their cultural footprint has been massively expanded through hip-hop sampling; their drum breaks and melodic fragments have been utilized by architects of the genre including Kanye West, A Tribe Called Quest, and De La Soul, cementing their status as 'crate-digger' royalty. Critical consensus views them as one of the most consistent and underrated vocal groups of the 1970s soul explosion.