Composed of vocalist Melvin Moore, guitarist Bobby Pointer (June 19, 1945 - December 26, 2016), keyboardist Morris Beeks, bassist Ronald Simmons, drummer Willie Hayes, alto saxophonist Milton Johnson, trumpeter Stephen Hawkins (June 28, 1945 - September 23, 2021), and trombonist Bill McFarland, the group began as the backing band for the soul duo Simtec & Wylie.
Southside Movement issued their self-titled debut album on the Wand record label in 1973; it included the Top 20 US Billboard R&B chart hit, "I've Been Watching You".
Southside Movement's tracks, "I've Been Watching You" and "Save the World", appeared later on the breakbeat compilation album, Ultimate Breaks and Beats.
These include "So What'cha Want" by Beastie Boys; "Show Discipline" by Jadakiss, "Smoke Dope and Rap" by Andre Nickatina; "At The Helm" by Hieroglyphics; "American Beauty" by Cormega; "24 Deep" by Brotha Lynch Hung; "Woo" by Erykah Badu; "E-Pro" by Beck, whilst "1$44" by Mr Oizo, used a distorted version of the instrumental.
[citation needed] Kool G Rap also sampled The Southside Movement's "Love is For Fools" in "It's a Shame" from his 1995 album 4,5,6.