Honestly, if you grew up in the 90s, you probably can’t even see a New York brownstone without hearing that jazzy upright bass line kick in. It’s iconic. It’s nostalgic. It’s basically the sonic equivalent of a warm hug from a decade that felt a lot simpler. The Wayans Brothers theme song wasn't just some catchy jingle slapped onto a sitcom; it was a cultural statement that bridged the gap between underground hip-hop and mainstream television.
When The Wayans Bros. premiered on The WB in 1995, nobody expected it to change the way networks thought about music. Most sitcoms back then had these safe, overly polished jingles. You know the ones—synthesizers, cheesy lyrics, and a vibe that felt like it was written in a boardroom. But Shawn and Marlon Wayans were different. They were hip-hop heads to the core. Shawn was actually a DJ before the fame really hit, and that influence bled into every frame of the show.
The A Tribe Called Quest Connection
Let’s get into the weeds of the music itself because this is where the magic happened. For the first two seasons, the show used an instrumental version of "Electric Relaxation" by A Tribe Called Quest. This wasn't just a random choice. Tribe was the pinnacle of "cool" in the mid-90s—part of the Native Tongues collective, known for their jazz-infused beats and intellectual lyrics.
By choosing a track from Midnight Marauders, Shawn and Marlon weren't just picking a song; they were signaling to the audience that they "got it." They were bringing the streets of New York to living rooms across America. The beat itself samples Ronnie Foster’s "Mystic Brew," a 1972 jazz organ piece. It’s laid-back, smooth, and slightly hypnotic. It matched the brothers’ chemistry perfectly.
But then, things changed.
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If you watch the later seasons, you’ll notice the music shifts. After season two, the show transitioned to a more upbeat, original track. This second iteration was actually co-produced by Shawn Wayans, Marlon Wayans, and their close friend (and legendary actor) Omar Epps. Yeah, that Omar Epps. They wanted something that felt more "theirs," something that reflected the high energy of their physical comedy.
What Was With That Weird Intro Scene?
Before the "real" theme song starts, there’s that hilarious, slightly bizarre intro sequence. You remember: Shawn and Marlon are dressed in 70s-style preppy gear, rocking Afros, and singing a purposefully corny song.
"We're brothers... we're happy and we're singing and we're colored! Give me a high five!"
That whole bit was a satirical jab at 1970s "urban" sitcoms like Good Times or What’s Happening!!. It was the brothers’ way of poking fun at the stereotypical ways Black families were often portrayed on TV. They’d play that corny bit for a few seconds, then Marlon would "smack" the camera, the Tribe Called Quest beat would drop, and the show would officially begin.
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It was a brilliant transition. It told the viewers: "We know the old tropes, but we’re doing something new."
The Mystery of the Missing Lyrics
One thing that drives fans crazy today is the "missing" lyrics. If you watch the show on certain streaming platforms or in syndication, sometimes the music sounds different or the lyrics are muffled. There’s a lot of speculation about why.
Most of it comes down to licensing. Music rights are a nightmare. When a show is made in 1995, the lawyers often only secure the rights for broadcast TV. Fast forward thirty years to the era of Max and Netflix, and suddenly, the studio has to pay a fortune to keep that original A Tribe Called Quest sample. In some versions of the show, you’ll hear a "lookalike" track—a song that sounds just like "Electric Relaxation" but isn’t quite it—to avoid legal fees. It’s annoying, sure, but it’s the reality of the business.
Why It Still Matters in 2026
The reason we’re still talking about The Wayans Brothers theme song is that it represented a specific moment in time when hip-hop became the heartbeat of American pop culture. It wasn't just background noise. It was the first time a major sitcom used a pre-existing hip-hop classic as its identity.
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It paved the way for shows like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (which, granted, had a rap theme, but it was written specifically for the show) and later, Insecure or Atlanta, where the soundtrack is as much a character as the actors.
Fun Facts You Might Have Missed:
- The Sample: The bassline in "Electric Relaxation" is actually sampled from a 1970s jazz record by the Brethren called "Outside Love."
- The Producers: While the Tribe track is famous, the Season 3-5 theme was a truly collaborative effort involving Omar Epps and the Wayans' own production team.
- The Lyrics: The satirical "We're Brothers" lyrics were written to be as intentionally "lame" as possible to contrast with the coolness of the hip-hop beat that followed.
How to Experience the Original Vibe Today
If you’re looking to relive the glory days, don’t just settle for the low-quality clips on social media. To really appreciate the production, you should:
- Listen to the full "Electric Relaxation" on a high-quality audio platform to hear the nuances of the Ronnie Foster sample.
- Track down the original broadcast versions of the Season 1 episodes. The way the Tribe beat interacts with the sound effects of the show’s transition is a masterclass in 90s editing.
- Watch for the cameos. The show was a magnet for hip-hop royalty, including Busta Rhymes and Missy Elliott, largely because of the credibility established by that theme song.
The Wayans brothers didn't just give us a comedy; they gave us a vibe. That theme song remains the ultimate "get hyped" music for anyone who remembers the era of baggy jeans, newsstands, and the WB's dancing frog. It’s a piece of television history that sounds just as fresh today as it did in '95.
To dive deeper into the era's music, look up the original Midnight Marauders album credits—you'll see just how much work went into the "simple" beat that defined a generation of TV.