New York-based dancers Jose Gutierez and Luis Comacho worked together inseparably for years: at balls, on stage, in music videos. The pair just had a little special something. This something shone through in their bumping 1993 house duet “Queen’s English”.
This duo’s track features what Billboard cites as Madonna‘s “only credited backing vocals”, ever. She’d contributed lines to a couple songs she’d written on throughout the ’80s, but Jose & Luis received public endorsement and collaboration with the singer in her career prime.
And they’d earned it, times over.
Jose & Luis, members of the ballroom House of Xtravaganza, both choreographed and performed in her “Vogue” music video. The video was not only one of the driving forces in introducing voguing into the mainstream, but a career peak for the singer. The pair went on to feature prominently in her Blonde Ambition world tour, one of the highest grossing tours of the decade.
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The track is a fun club moment, introducing the world to Jose and Luis (who both “come from downtown, get down, and know it” according to the song). It’s got just enough repetition to lose oneself in, and great character in its vocal diversity.
The song didn’t spin itself into music stardom, but these Xtravaganzas had already more than made their mark. Jose now serves as the overall father of the house, raising the next generation of vogue talent.
Do you know the Queen’s English?:
bachy
I remember being mesmerised by the personas of these two Vogue dancers…
LegionKeign
Where are all the haters with their bullshit, “All Madonna ever did was exploit the Black and Latino community and Culturally Appropriate their Music and Dance Moves.”
And she’s still doin’ it, just look at all them children werk’n with hurr!
You hate her cause she’s the QUEEN, NOW & FOREVAH!