Wikipedia
Turtle Power!
View on Wikipedia| "Turtle Power!" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Single by Partners in Kryme | ||||
| from the album Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack | ||||
| B-side | "Splinter's Tale" (by John Du Prez) | |||
| Released | April 13, 1990 | |||
| Genre | Hip hop | |||
| Length | 3:54 | |||
| Label | SBK | |||
| Songwriters |
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| Producers |
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| Partners in Kryme singles chronology | ||||
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"Turtle Power!" (or simply "Turtle Power") is a song by American hip hop duo Partners in Kryme.[1] The song was released by SBK Records from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soundtrack. An early unfinished version without Shane Faber's production plays over the film's closing credits. In the United Kingdom, the film mix heard over the end credits uses the word "hero" instead of "ninja", even though the film was not retitled in the UK, unlike the 1987 cartoon series (which was titled Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles).
"Turtle Power" was released in April 1990 and reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks, making it the first hip hop single to reach number one in the UK and becoming the 13th-highest-selling single of the year in the United Kingdom. Additionally, the song peaked at number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100, number four in Ireland, and number seven in New Zealand.
Song information
[edit]This section needs additional citations for verification. (July 2019) |
Written by James P Alpern and Richard A Usher Jr and produced by Partners in Kryme, "Turtle Power!" rode the wave of popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles franchise. A rap record featuring the use of vocoder vocals for the chorus, it became a worldwide hit, reaching number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 100,[2] number seven in New Zealand[3] and number one on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks in July and August 1990.[4] The song was also coupled with the single "Turtle Rhapsody" and included in the third Ninja Turtles film soundtrack.
Track listings
[edit]7-inch and cassette single[5][6]
- "Turtle Power" – 3:50
- "Splinter's Tale 1 & Splinter's Tale 2" (performed by John Du Prez) – 5:23
12-inch and German maxi-CD single[7][8]
- "Turtle Power" (single edit) – 3:50
- "Turtle Power" (album version) – 4:17
- "Splinter's Tale 1 & Splinter's Tale 2" (performed by John Du Prez) – 5:23
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
|
Year-end charts[edit]
|
Certifications
[edit]| Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (BPI)[25] | Silver | 200,000^ |
| United States (RIAA)[26] | Gold | 500,000^ |
|
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. | ||
Release history
[edit]| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label(s) | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | April 13, 1990 |
|
SBK | [citation needed] |
| United Kingdom | July 9, 1990 | [27] | ||
| July 16, 1990 | 7-inch picture disc | [28] | ||
| Australia | July 23, 1990 |
|
[29] |
References
[edit]- ^ "The Pop Life – Page 2 – New York Times". The New York Times. April 11, 1990. Retrieved November 20, 2013.
- ^ a b "Billboard Hot 100". Billboard. June 2, 1990. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ a b "Partners in Kryme – Turtle Power!". Top 40 Singles. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ a b "Official Singles Chart on 28/7/1990 – Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ Turtle Power (US 7-inch single vinyl disc). SBK Records. 1990. NR-07325.
- ^ Turtle Power (US cassette single sleeve). SBK Records. 1990. 4JM-07325.
- ^ Turtle Power (US 12-inch single vinyl disc). SBK Records. 1990. V-19710.
- ^ Turtle Power (German maxi-CD single liner notes). SBK Records. 1990. 560 20 3933 2.
- ^ "Partners in Kryme – Turtle Power!". ARIA Top 50 Singles. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Hits of the World: Canada". Billboard. Vol. 102, no. 28. July 14, 1990. p. 63.
- ^ "Top RPM Singles: Image 1256". RPM. Library and Archives Canada. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 33. August 18, 1990. p. IV. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ Nyman, Jake (2005). Suomi soi 4: Suuri suomalainen listakirja (in Finnish) (1st ed.). Helsinki: Tammi. ISBN 951-31-2503-3.
- ^ "Offizielle Deutsche Charts" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts. To see the peak chart position, click 'TITEL VON', followed by the artist's name. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "The Irish Charts – Search Results – Turtle Power". Irish Singles Chart. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Partners in Kryme – Turtle Power!" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Partners in Kryme – Turtle Power!". Singles Top 100. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Partners in Kryme – Turtle Power!". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Hot Rap Songs". Billboard. July 14, 1990. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ^ "The ARIA Australian Top 100 Singles Chart 1990 (61–100) (from The ARIA Report No. 50)". ARIA. Retrieved October 10, 2016 – via Imgur.
- ^ "Eurochart Hot 100 Singles 1990" (PDF). Music & Media. Vol. 7, no. 51. December 22, 1990. p. 36. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
- ^ "Top 100 Singles–Jahrescharts 1990" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
- ^ "Årstopplistan 1990, Singlar" (in Swedish). Grammotex. Archived from the original on February 16, 2001. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
- ^ "1990 Top 100 Singles". Music Week. London, England. March 2, 1991. p. 41.
- ^ "British single certifications – Partners in Kryme – Turtle Power". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved August 30, 2020. Select singles in the Formats field. Type Turtle Power Partners in Kryme in the "Search:" field.
- ^ "American single certifications – Partners in Kryme – Turtle Power". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved July 28, 2019.
- ^ "New Singles". Music Week. July 7, 1990. p. 39.
- ^ "New Singles". Music Week. July 14, 1990. p. 37. Misprinted as July 9 on source.
- ^ "New Release Summary: Singles". The ARIA Report. No. 28. July 22, 1990. p. 19.
Grokipedia
Turtle Power!
View on GrokipediaBackground
Partners in Kryme
Partners in Kryme was an American hip hop duo formed in 1990 in New York City by James Alpern, who performed as DJ Keymaster Snow, and Richard Usher, who performed as MC Golden Voice. Alpern handled DJing and production duties, while Usher provided the vocals and lyrics.[4][5] Prior to their debut, the duo had no recorded discography and remained largely unknown within the hip hop community, emerging as newcomers during the early 1990s rap landscape. The duo disbanded after their debut but reunited in 2025 for anniversary events related to the TMNT film.[6][4] Their production approach emphasized upbeat pop-rap tracks, blending dance-pop elements with electronic and synth influences to create energetic, accessible sounds.[5]Tie-in to Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
"Turtle Power!" was commissioned by SBK Records in collaboration with the film's producers, including Golden Harvest Company, for the soundtrack of the 1990 live-action film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, directed by Steve Barron and released by New Line Cinema.[7] The song was specifically developed as the end-credits theme to capitalize on the franchise's rising appeal among young audiences, with SBK's A&R executive Peter Ganbarg tasked by label president Charles Koppelman to oversee its creation; Ganbarg, then 22, suggested the title "Turtle Power!" after observing his young children's enthusiasm for the characters chanting the phrase around the house.[8] He subsequently approached the New York-based rap duo Partners in Kryme to write and record the track, aligning it with the film's need for an energetic, youth-oriented rap number that complemented its action-comedy tone.[8] The commissioning occurred against the backdrop of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' explosive popularity surge, which had originated with Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird's independent comic book debut in 1984 but skyrocketed following the launch of the syndicated animated television series in 1987.[9] By 1990, the franchise had become a merchandising juggernaut, generating hundreds of millions in licensed products and prompting Hollywood's interest in a feature film adaptation to further exploit its cultural phenomenon status among children.[10] Golden Harvest, a Hong Kong-based production company known for martial arts films, co-financed the project with a modest $13.5 million budget, viewing the Turtles' ninja-themed antics as a natural fit for their expertise in action sequences while aiming to broaden the brand's global reach.[7] In the film, "Turtle Power!" plays over the end credits, serving as a narrative recap that highlights the Turtles' origin—mutated by radioactive ooze—and their heroic battle against the Foot Clan and Shredder, emphasizing themes of brotherhood, resilience, and triumph that underscore the movie's plot.[11][12] This placement reinforced the characters' underdog heroism, tying directly into the story's climax where the Turtles save New York City, and helped transition viewers from the on-screen adventure to the broader TMNT universe popularized by the comics and animated series.[12] The song's upbeat, rhythmic style mirrored the film's blend of high-energy fights, humor, and family-friendly spectacle, ensuring it resonated with the target youth demographic while boosting the soundtrack's commercial viability.[8]Composition
Writing and recording
"Turtle Power!" was written by James P. Alpern and Richard A. Usher Jr., the members of the hip hop duo Partners in Kryme, in early 1990 as a tie-in to the live-action film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.[1] The duo contributed directly to the rap verses, drawing on their performance style to craft energetic lines referencing the turtles' names—Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael—and their signature weapons, such as nunchucks and sai, to align closely with the film's characters.[12] Recording took place in 1990, with the track produced and mixed by Partners in Kryme, and additional production, programming, and mixing by Shane Faber.[13] The production incorporated samples from the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" theme by Chuck Lorre and Dennis C. Brown, originally from the animated series, to evoke familiarity for fans while building a high-energy hip hop foundation.[14] These sessions occurred ahead of the single's April release, ensuring synchronization with the film's March 30 premiere.[15]Musical elements and lyrics
"Turtle Power!" is a hip hop track incorporating pop rap and new jack swing elements, characteristic of early 1990s production styles.[1] The song runs for approximately 4:20 in its album version, with a moderate tempo of 105 beats per minute that drives its energetic flow.[16] Its structure follows a classic rap format, beginning with an intro that samples the iconic "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" theme song by Chuck Lorre and Dennis C. Brown, setting a thematic tone through familiar animated motifs.[17] This leads into three rap verses interspersed with a repeating chorus hook centered on "T-U-R-T-L-E Power!" and declarations of the turtles as "heroes in a half shell." A bridge-like section after the second chorus incorporates ad-libs, including the exclamation "Cowabunga!" and rhetorical questions urging listeners to "stand for what you believe in" and "find the strength to do what's right," reinforcing the song's motivational ethos.[12] The lyrics, penned by the duo, narrate the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' origin and exploits in a storytelling style that celebrates their distinct personalities and camaraderie. For instance, the third verse highlights Leonardo, Michelangelo, Donatello, and Raphael as a unified team, erroneously attributing leadership to Raphael while emphasizing their shared transformation by "nuclear goop" and affinity for pizza with pepperoni and cheese, evoking their laid-back yet heroic traits.[12] Anti-crime messages permeate the verses, depicting the turtles as swift interveners against urban threats like muggings by the Foot Clan and Shredder's forces, with lines portraying them as "ninja masters with moves like lightnin'" who rescue figures like April O'Neil from peril.[12] Calls to action extend beyond the fictional narrative, inspiring real-world resolve with phrases like "fight for rights and your freedom to speak" and warnings that "evil moves fast, but good moves faster," framing turtle power as a metaphor for personal empowerment and justice.[12] Instrumentally, the track employs heavy bass lines and synthesizers to create a pulsating, synth-driven backdrop typical of new jack swing, blended with mid-school hip hop's boom bap drum patterns for rhythmic propulsion.[18] DJ scratches add textural flair, enhancing the rap delivery and evoking the gritty, turntable-centric sound of 1990s hip hop, while the overall production maintains a sparse yet infectious energy suited to its novelty tie-in purpose.[19]Release
Formats and track listings
"Turtle Power!" was issued by SBK Records in multiple physical formats, primarily as 7-inch and 12-inch vinyl singles, cassettes, and CD singles, all tied to the 1990 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles soundtrack.[1] These releases typically featured the song's single edit and album version on the A-side, with "Splinter's Tale I & II" by John Du Prez as the B-side on many variants.[20] Packaging often included artwork depicting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, licensed for promotional synergy with the film.[21] The standard US 7-inch vinyl single (SBK Records – 4JM-07325) was a basic black vinyl pressing without specified unique packaging, containing the following tracks:| Side | Track | Artist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Turtle Power (Single Edit) | Partners in Kryme | 3:50 |
| B | Splinter's Tale I & II | John Du Prez | 5:23 |
| Side | Track | Artist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Turtle Power (Single Edit) | Partners in Kryme | 3:50 |
| A2 | Turtle Power (Album Version) | Partners in Kryme | 4:17 |
| B | Splinter's Tale I & Splinter's Tale II | John Du Prez | 5:23 |
| Side | Track | Artist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| A1 | Turtle Power (Single Edit) | Partners in Kryme | 3:50 |
| A2 | Splinter's Tale I & II | John Du Prez | 5:23 |
| B1 | Turtle Power (Single Edit) | Partners in Kryme | 3:50 |
| B2 | Splinter's Tale I & II | John Du Prez | 5:23 |
| Track | Title | Artist | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Turtle Power (Single Edit) | Partners in Kryme | 3:50 |
| 2 | Turtle Power (Album Version) | Partners in Kryme | 4:17 |
| 3 | Splinter's Tale I & II | John Du Prez | 5:23 |
Release dates and labels
"Turtle Power!" was first released as a single in the United States in April 1990 by SBK Records, included on the soundtrack album for the film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.[1] The track saw international rollout starting with the United Kingdom in July 1990, where it entered the UK Singles Chart on July 21.[2] Releases followed across Europe in 1990, with various formats issued in countries including France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.[1] In Japan, a CD single featuring the song alongside "Spin That Wheel" by Hi-Tek 3 was released on November 23, 1990.[23] SBK Records acted as the primary label for the single worldwide, with distribution managed by EMI in several markets, including Australia and parts of Europe.[24] The song has since been made available digitally on platforms such as Spotify and iTunes, with re-releases occurring in the digital era.[25]Promotion
Music video
The official music video for "Turtle Power!" was released in 1990 to promote the song and capitalize on the popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, serving as the end-credits theme's visual counterpart. Produced by E.T./VideoLink, it features the Partners in Kryme duo performing the rap verses in gritty urban environments, intercut with dynamic clips from the movie's action sequences.[11] Central visuals highlight the animated Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles in heroic poses, alongside live-action shots of the duo donning green turtle masks during the performance. The video incorporates synchronized choreography in the chorus, with the turtles—particularly Leonardo and Michelangelo—engaging in dance moves that emphasize themes of teamwork and heroism from the film's narrative. These elements blend hip-hop energy with the movie's martial arts and adventure motifs, reinforcing the song's lyrical nods to the turtles' exploits.[11] As a tie-in production, the video was distributed through MTV rotations starting in mid-1990, aligning with the song's chart ascent, and appeared on dedicated VHS compilations like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Music Videos, which collected promotional content from the film's soundtrack era.[26]Live performances and media appearances
Partners in Kryme promoted "Turtle Power!" through a series of live performances and media appearances in 1990, leveraging the song's tie-in to the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film to boost its visibility during the initial rollout. The duo's key live outing was at the Smash Hits Poll Winners Party, a prominent UK music event held that year, where they delivered an energetic performance of the track amid a lineup of top artists.[27] The group also made notable TV appearances on British broadcasts, including an appearance on the BBC's Top of the Pops on July 26, 1990, featuring the music video, as the song ascended to number one on the UK Singles Chart for four weeks.[28] This appearance capitalized on the track's hip-hop novelty and TMNT theme, helping solidify its status as the first hip-hop single to top the UK chart.[29] In the United States, while specific live TV slots were limited, the song benefited from substantial radio promotion, achieving heavy rotation on urban contemporary stations that contributed to its chart success. It peaked at number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 25 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in June 1990.[30][31] Broadcasts often incorporated clips from the music video to enhance radio interviews and segments discussing the duo's inspiration from the Turtles' underdog heroism narrative. The track's integration into TMNT-themed promotions, including short U.S. events tied to the film's summer release, further amplified its exposure without formal full-scale tours by the duo.Commercial performance
Chart positions
"Turtle Power!" achieved significant chart success in 1990, capitalizing on the massive popularity of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film and franchise, which propelled the track's visibility across multiple markets. In the United States, the song debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 at number 89 on April 21, 1990, gradually climbing through the spring and summer months before reaching its peak position of number 13 on June 2, 1990.[32] It maintained a presence on the chart for a total of 20 weeks, reflecting sustained interest driven by the soundtrack's tie-in to the blockbuster movie. The track's rap elements and novelty appeal also led to strong performance on genre-specific charts, peaking at number 3 on the Hot Rap Songs chart on July 7, 1990, where the film's cultural buzz helped it dominate urban radio play.[33] On the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, it reached a high of number 25 on June 2, 1990.[31] Internationally, the single saw even greater acclaim, particularly in Europe, where it benefited from the global TMNT phenomenon. In the United Kingdom, "Turtle Power!" entered the Official Singles Chart on July 21, 1990, at number 2 before ascending to number 1 the following week, holding the top spot for four consecutive weeks through August 19, 1990, and totaling 10 weeks on the chart.[2] This made it the first hip-hop track to top the UK chart, underscoring the soundtrack's role in broadening rap's mainstream appeal. The song also performed well in other European territories, peaking at number 12 in Germany with 16 weeks on the chart, number 14 in Switzerland over 7 weeks, and number 40 in the Netherlands across 8 weeks.[34] In Australia, it reached number 15 on the ARIA Singles Chart, spending 12 weeks in the top ranks.[35] The track's chart trajectories highlighted the synergy between the song's playful lyrics and the film's marketing, which boosted its dominance on rap-oriented charts while achieving crossover success on pop listings. This performance trajectory exemplified how media tie-ins could elevate niche genres like hip-hop to international prominence in the early 1990s.| Chart (1990) | Peak Position | Weeks on Chart |
|---|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 13 | 20 |
| US Hot Rap Songs (Billboard) | 3 | 12 |
| US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard) | 25 | 12 |
| UK Singles (Official Charts Company) | 1 | 10 |
| Australia (ARIA) | 15 | 12 |
| Germany (Official German Charts) | 12 | 16 |
| Switzerland (Schweizer Hitparade) | 14 | 7 |
| Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) | 40 | 8 |