Phats And Small: The UK Funky House Pioneers

Phats And Small are a British funky house production duo and live act who achieved massive commercial success at the end of the 1990s. Hailing from Bristol, England, the pair are best known for their chart-topping single "Turn Around," a track that became a global dance anthem and defined the sound of UK house music for a generation.

Early career

The duo, consisting of DJ and producer Jason Hayward (Phats) and singer and songwriter Ben Ofoedu (Small), formed in the mid-1990s. Their collaboration began in the vibrant club scene of Bristol, a city with a rich musical heritage. They initially worked on developing their signature sound, a blend of soulful vocals, piano-driven melodies, and infectious house rhythms.

Their early work led to a deal with the influential dance label Multiply Records, a subsidiary of Eternal Records. This partnership provided the platform for their first releases, setting the stage for their imminent breakthrough into the mainstream.

Breakthrough

The year 1999 marked the explosive breakthrough for Phats And Small. Their debut single "Turn Around" was released on Multiply Records and quickly became a phenomenon. The track soared to number 2 on the UK Singles Chart and achieved platinum certification, selling over 600,000 copies in the UK alone.

Propelled by Ben Ofoedu's charismatic vocals and a instantly recognizable piano riff, "Turn Around" dominated airwaves and clubs across Europe. This success led to the release of their debut album, "Now Phats What I Small Music," later that same year, cementing their status as leading figures in the funky house genre.

Key tracks

Turn Around — The duo's signature track, a UK number 2 and platinum-selling single that became a definitive anthem of the late 90s house scene.

Feel Good — A follow-up single that continued their chart success, reaching the UK Top 20 and featuring on their debut album.

This Time Around — Another popular single that showcased their consistent formula of uplifting house music with soulful vocal delivery.

Tonite — A track that demonstrated their ability to craft club-ready grooves, further establishing their reputation on the dance floor.

Following their initial success, Phats And Small continued to perform and release music, maintaining a strong presence on the club circuit. Ben Ofoedu also pursued a parallel career in television and as a solo artist, while Jason Hayward focused on production and DJing. The duo's music has proven enduring, with "Turn Around" remaining a staple on dance music compilations and radio playlists dedicated to classic house.

Their influence is heard in the work of numerous UK house acts that followed. For fans of the funky house sound, similar artists featured on our website include K-Class who delivered similar piano-led house anthems. Modjo shares the French touch style with catchy vocal hooks. Stardust captured the same era with a legendary one-hit wonder. Bob Sinclar represents the European house scene with a similarly upbeat and positive production style.

The music of Phats And Small maintains regular rotation on dedicated dance and classic hits radio stations across our network. Their tracks are fixtures on FM stations programming 90s throwback shows and online streams focused on house music history, ensuring their funky beats continue to reach new listeners.

You can hear the classic funky house sound of Phats And Small on various radio stations featured here on onairium.com. Tune in to discover their timeless anthems and experience the energy that made them a defining act of UK dance music.