Rare Essence, aka The Wickedest Band Alive, is Washington’s premier Go- Go band for over four decades. Mentored by the Godfather of Go-Go as young teens, Rare Essence would be one of Chuck Brown’s earliest, and have remained his most enduring, progeny, with a consistently combustible live show honed through countless performances They have built a devoted fan base that spans multiple generations.

Originated in the mid ‘70s by the late Godfather of Go-Go, Chuck Brown, Go-Go links songs together over percussion breakdowns—a raw, non-stop party groove fueled by congas, cowbells and timbales, with call and response interactions that obliterated divisions between a band that doesn't stop playing and audience that won't stop dancing.

Dubbed “The Wickedest Band Alive” by rap pioneer Doug E. Fresh, who has collaborated with Rare Essence, one of many artists to incorporate Go- Go's percolating percussion, and some of its key players, into their own recordings.

In 1988, one song took E.U. from a local band to a globally known name: Da Butt, a Grammy nominated hit which reached #1 on the Billboard Black Singles Chart, and was ranked #61 on VH1's 100 Greatest One Hit Wonders of the 80s. The music video was directed by Spike Lee. E.U. received Soul Train award for Best New Artist in 1988 and performed on the Soul Train show, as well as on the Arsenio Hall show. A Tour with Run DMC followed, as well as a tour with Salt-N-Pepa, with whom he collaborated with on “Shake Your Thang”.  An OSU tour took the band around the world.  2 additional Billboard charting hits “Buck Wild” and “Taste of Your Love” came from their Virgin records debut album.

Sugar Bear and E.U. continued a top the DC Go-Go scene over the years that followed, building a large and loyal fan base while releasing local hits like “Umm Bop Bop”. In 2001, EU was a featured act in the Put Your Hands Up The Tribute to Chuck Brown DVD, cited as “..quite possibly the greatest live concert video/dvd I have ever seen” by Murder Dog Magazine.  In 2014 Sugar Bear was featured as lead vocal on “Pop That Trunk” on the posthumous Chuck Brown “Beautiful Life” album.  In 2016, EU performed at the opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture. In 2019, during the #DontMuteDC campaign, DC native and movie star Regina Hall brought out Sugar Bear & E.U. and Rare Essence to perform. During the 93rd Academy Awards, actress Glenn Close shouted out Sugar Bear and danced to the song “Da Butt”.  In 2021 The Chuck Brown Foundation presented Sugar Bear with the LEGEND award.  In 2022 EU released a remake of their classic “Peace Gone Away”.

With a heart for uplifting people in his life and through his music and a dedication to the music born in DC that he loves, Sugar Bear and E.U. continue to keep the dance floor packed.