The group was founded in 1993 with four members: Balja, Steve, Rod D., and Smooth T. They released their first CD, NonStop! The Album in 1994. Their second CD Close To You was released in 1995. Before its release, lead singer Balja was replaced with Marie-Anett Mey. Balja can still be seen in the video to Groove Me, and her vocals are heard on the entire album. This album includes most of the songs from their first release, including several hits such as “Close To You”, “Take Your Chance”, “I Wanna B With U”, and “Pain”.In 1996, Fun Factory released their second album, Fun-Tastic, which contained several hits such as “Celebration”, “Do Wah Diddy”, “I Love You”, and a rap remake of “I Wanna B With U” from their first and second albums. By this time they began to become more popular throughout Europe, and even saw some of their songs chart in the USA and Canada. In 1997 they released a greatest hits album. Soon after the release Smooth T and Rod D left and the original group was disbanded.The two remaining members started a follow-up project Fun Affairs with the singer Ray Horton but the success of the new band was comparitively modest.In 1998, a new Fun Factory formed with an all-new lineup. Their first release, Next Generation, came out in 1999 and sold over 100,000 copies. The music on this new release differed from the style of the first Fun Factory, and were mostly rap, reggae, or pop. Singles from this album include “Sha-la-la-la-la”, “Party With Fun Factory”, and “Fun Factory’s Millennium Theme”. Al Walser from Liechtenstein came in as the new driving force for the band with whom the act became hugely successful in the Asian market. In 2002 the ABC of Music the second and last album of the new lineup came up with the moderate success and the group was soon dissolved.Their second and final album, ABC of Music was released in 2002 with moderate success. The new Fun Factory disbanded shortly afterward.
MembersOriginal Fun Factory:Balja: The real lead singer in the first two albums. Marie-Anett Mey: Front lady but not singer. Born in Paris, France. Smooth T.: Real name is Toni Cottura. Born in Germany.Steve: Real name is Stephan Browarczyk. Backing vocalist.Rod D.: Real name is Rodney Hardison. Born in America.New Fun Factory:Annett: Lead singer. Real name is Annett Möller.Al: Lead singer and rapper. Real name is Al Walser.T-Roc: Rapper. Also called Tiger One or Tiger Style.
Discography
Singles
1992 Fun Factory Theme
1993 Groove Me1994 Take Your Chance
1994 Pain1994 Close To You
1995 I Wanna B With U
1995 Celebration1996 Doh Wah Diddy
1996 Don’t Go Away
1996 I Love You
1998 Party With Fun Factory
1999 Sha-la-la-la-la
2005 Ilarie
Albums
1994 Non-Stop
1995 Fun-Tastic
1996 All Their Best1997 The Party – Non-Stop
1999 Next Generation
2002 ABC of Music