"Gonna Make You Sweat" is a debut studio album by C+C Music Factory. Released on the 18th of December, 1990, it was created by dance producers Robert Clivillés and David Cole and features lead vocals by Freedom Williams and guest vocals by Martha Wash. The album was a huge commercial success, reaching multi-platinum status in multiple countries, including the United States.
The title track, "Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)," is an enduring hit and has been used extensively in the media and live events. It reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and danced charts worldwide. Beyond the title track, other songs in the album like “Here We Go (Let's Rock & Roll)," "Things That Make You Go Hmmmm...," and "Just a Touch of Love," also saw significant success, each reaching the top 50 in multiple countries.
The album’s success can be attributed to the combination of house and hip hop beats with soulful, energetic vocals. However, the album became a controversy when it emerged that the main vocals were, in fact, performed by Martha Wash and not Zelma Davis who had been lip-syncing in the videos and promotional appearances. Wash successfully sued for credit and compensation, leading to industry-wide changes in credit attribution.
Despite these controversies, Gonna Make You Sweat stands out as a landmark in '90s dance music, positioning C+C Music Factory as one of the decade's defining acts. The album's innovative blend of hip-hop, dance, and pop elements continue to be influential on subsequent generations of producers and artists.
