the Walls", was released in 1992 and reached #68 in the US Billboard R&B chart. In 1999, Rare Essence had some controversy regarding their song "Overnight Scenario", which was allegedly copied by Jay-Z in the song "Do It Again (Put Ya Hands Up)" and was the first single from his album, Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. There is an hour to hour account in the song "Overnight Scenario", and "Do It Again" follows the same concept. For example, Rare Essence's line was “Three in the Morning the Pancake House” while Jay-Z said “4 AM at the Waffle House”. The question was whether or not the problem should be called plagiarism or just similar concept. The group had been performing the song for most of the late 1990s and was concerned about the copyright infringement that seemingly took place. Jay–Z's defense was that go–go music is just remakes of other artists’ songs. In 2009, Rare Essence performed at one of the inaugural balls. In 2012, the group collaborated with the Soul Rebels Brass Band during a Tribute to Chuck Brown on June 21, 2012 in Washington, D.C. at the historic Howard Theatre which is re-opened in April 2012. Slick Rick was also on the tribute show. In 2018, Rare Essence collaborated with Ethiopian American singer Kelela, contributing a remix of her song "Take Me Apart" to her album Take Me a_Part, the Remixes. Past members Former drummer Quentin "Footz" Davidson was murdered on September 17, 1994 at the age of 33. Former band member Anthony Harley (Little Benny) died on May 30, 2010 in Washington, D.C. at the age of 46. Byron "B.J." Jackson died of cancer on September 4, 2016 at the age of 52. Former saxophonist Rory "DC" Felton was murdered on April 21, 2018 at the age of 57. Discography Studio albums Work the Walls (1992) So What You Want? (1995) Let's Go Go Christmas (1995) Body Snatchers (1996) We Go On and On (1998) RE-2000 (1999) Turn It Up (2016) Mixtape albums Mixtape, Vol. 1, Hosted by DJ Dirty Rico (2012) Mixtape, Vol. 2, Hosted by DJ Dirty Rico (2013) Live albums Live at Breeze's Metro Club (1986) Go Go Live at the Capital Centre (1987) Live at Celebrity Hall / Live at the Metro Club (1987) Get Your Freak On (1995) Doin' It Old School Live at Club U (2001) Live PA #4