Based on this success, the duo were brought to the attention of Jive Records and Russell Simmons. The duo's first album, "Rock the House", which was first released on Word Up in 1986 debuted on Jive in March 1987. The group received the first Grammy Award for Best Rap Performance in 1989 for "Parents Just Don't Understand" (1988), though their most successful single was "Summertime" (1991), which earned the group their second Grammy and peaked at number 4 on the "Billboard" Hot 100. Smith and Townes are still friends and claim that they never split up, having made songs under Smith's solo performer credit.