Turbo B of SNAP!
Turbo B — born Durron Maurice Butler — is the American rapper and vocalist whose commanding delivery defined one of the most explosive moments in dance music history. As the voice of Snap!, he turned a German production project into a worldwide cultural force and helped invent the sound that would become Eurodance.
Early Life and US Army Years
Raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Butler grew up steeped in the golden era of American hip hop, absorbing the cadence of East Coast MCs and the showmanship of funk and soul. He enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed in Germany — a posting that would change the course of his life. Off-duty, he chased the country's burgeoning club scene, sharpening his stage presence in front of European audiences hungry for the energy of American rap.
Joining Snap! and "The Power"
In 1989, German producers Michael Münzing and Luca Anzilotti — working under the name Snap! — were searching for a vocalist who could deliver hip hop swagger with pop urgency. Turbo B was the answer. The result was "The Power", released in 1990: a thunderous fusion of breakbeat, sampled soul vocals and Turbo B's now-iconic verse — "I've got the power!" — that detonated across Europe and crossed the Atlantic to top dance and pop charts in the United States, the United Kingdom and beyond.
The debut album World Power (1990) cemented the formula. Singles like "Ooops Up", "Cult of Snap!" and "Mary Had a Little Boy" followed in quick succession, all anchored by Turbo B's distinctive baritone flow. Snap! became one of the first acts to prove that a hip hop–dance hybrid born in Europe could dominate global radio.
"Rhythm Is a Dancer" and Global Stardom
In 1992, Snap! returned with The Madman's Return. The album's lead single, "Rhythm Is a Dancer", paired Turbo B's verses with Thea Austin's soaring chorus and became one of the best-selling singles of the decade. It hit number one across Europe, peaked at number five on the US Billboard Hot 100, and is routinely cited as one of the defining records of the 1990s — a staple of stadiums, sports arenas and dancefloors more than thirty years later.
Solo Work and Reinvention
After parting ways with Snap! in the early 1990s, Turbo B released his solo debut Make Way for the Maniac in 1995, exploring a harder hip hop sound while continuing to tour relentlessly. He later reunited with Snap! for select projects and remix campaigns, and has continued to perform the catalog live for new generations of fans across Europe, North America and beyond.
Legacy
Turbo B's influence is stitched into the DNA of modern dance music. The crossover blueprint he helped create with Snap! — rapped verses over euphoric, club-ready production — paved the way for everything from late-90s Eurodance to today's pop-rap and EDM crossovers. "The Power" and "Rhythm Is a Dancer" remain perennial syncs in film, television, advertising and sport, and his voice is instantly recognizable to anyone who has ever set foot on a dancefloor.
Today
Today Turbo B continues to tour, record and connect directly with fans through this official site. For booking inquiries, press requests or to follow upcoming tour dates, contact promo@nenemusik.com