Songfacts®:

• Twilight 22 was the creative moniker of Gordon Bahary. "Electric Kingdom" was Bahary's first solo recording. In our interview, Bahary told us the story behind this song: "I took the most seemingly opposite elements: my father's middle eastern record collection, and a hip-hop/dance beat and combined them. Then I co-wrote a rap encouraging people to make a positive life for themselves I suppose."
• Few non-African Americans were involved with Hip-Hop in the early '80s, so Bahary's label insisted that he come up with a new name. "They were trying to hide that I was white," said Bahary. "I said, 'Call it whatever you want. Call me Twilight Zone for all I care.' Then the A&R guy said, 'What about Catch 22?' I said, 'Call it Twilight 22.'"
• This song is sampled in DJ Maestro's "Cali Cuts" and Jocelyn Enriquez's "A Little Bit of Ecstasy."
• "Electric Kingdom" peaked at #7 on the R&B charts.
• Bahary is a coveted synthesizer player who has worked with the likes of Stevie Wonder, Herbie Hancock and Ramsey Lewis. He has also produced for artists, among them Raven-Symoné of the Disney show, That's So Raven. In 2012, Bahary released his debut solo album, Unbreakable.