The group was formed originally as Positive Messengers following DJ shows in parks and blocks as Jam-On Productions.

Group member Ben “Cosmo D” Cenac attempted to bring some recordings made with Positive Messengers to music labels with little success.

[2] Cenac eventually went to a label called Reflection, where Joe Webb listened to the recording, stating that he heard something in the song, but it needed better sound quality.

[2] Following the response from Webb, Cenac borrowed money to buy a Tascam Portastudio, which led to collaborations with Bob Crafton, who also went by the name Chilly B.

"[3] Two years later, the group had recorded "Computer Age", and felt it had a hit song on their hand, especially after hearing the success of "Planet Rock".

[3] This led to Webb making a deal with Sunnyview Records, which had Fearing edit the song to have it arranged similarly to the ones played on the radio.

[3] After Fearing helped make "Jam-On Revenge" a hit, Cenac stated that the label "rewarded him by saying his touch is gold and gave him everything.

"[3] Among the tracks added was "Where's the Beat" which Cenac stated "wasn't our song", as it was based on the Wendy's commercial that had the catchphrase "Where's the beef?"

[3] They were told by Sunnyview's owners Adam Levy and Henry Stone that they could not be Newcleus anymore but could still go out and produce music.

[5] Chin complimented mixer Jonathan Fearing who "gives the entire album an exceptionally glossy finish.

"[5] An anonymous reviewer in Cashbox declared the album "a monster debut LP" and that it "shows off simple and effective bass playing and rapping that made "Newcleus a distinctive new sound in a genre rapidly becoming overplayed.