The members of Musical Youth were attending Duddleston Manor School in Birmingham, England, when the group was formed by the Waite brothers and their father, Frederick Waite, a former member of Jamaican vocal group the Techniques, who initially handled lead vocals. After the band signed with MCA in 1981, Dennis Seaton was recruited to sing lead. The following year, they hit gold with their single "Pass the Dutchie," based on the Mighty Diamonds' hit "Pass the Kouchie." Although Musical Youth released several subsequent singles, including "Unconditional Love" with Donna Summer and "Sixteen," they were unable to match the success of "Pass the Dutchie." The group splintered after the departure of Seaton in 1985. However, Michael Grant and Seaton re-formed Musical Youth as a duo in 2001, and the band frequently performed at festivals and as part of nostalgia tours.