Damon Wimbley, professionally known as Kool Rock-Ski, is an American rapper and actor best recognized as a founding member of the pioneering hip-hop trio, The Fat Boys. Born on November 9, 1966, in Brooklyn, New York, NY, Damon Wimbley grew up in a culturally rich environment that would later influence his artistic pursuits.
Details about his family and early education remain private, but his formative years in Brooklyn exposed him to the burgeoning hip-hop scene of the late 1970s and early 1980s. In his early teens, Wimbley met Darren Robinson and Mark Anthony Morales, with whom he formed a musical trio initially known as The Disco 3.
Their big break came in 1983 when they won the Tin Pan Apple After Dark Dance & Rap Contest, leading to a performance at Radio City Music Hall. At just 16, Wimbley embarked on international tours, experiencing rapid fame.
The Fat Boys rose to fame in the 1980s when they pioneered their influential beatbox style of hip-hop music. The group was from East New York in Brooklyn and included “Prince Markie Dee” (Mark Morales), “Kool Rock-Ski” (Damon Wimbley), and “Buff Love” (Darin Robinson). They would heavily influence hip-hop culture through beatbox, comedic charisma, and rhymes.
The Fat Boys were instrumental in popularizing beatboxing, with Darren “Buff Love” Robinson’s skills opening doors for future artists like Biz Markie and Doug E. Fresh.
The trio released seven studio albums, four of which went gold by RIAA. The Fat Boys had several successful singles which included “Stick ‘Em,” “Can You Feel It,” “The Fat Boys Are Back,” “Wipe Out,” “Fat Boys,” and “Jail House Rap,” to name a few.
Throughout their career, they participated in several tours, one of which was Fresh Fest. And despite having eventually broken up as a group, each of the three members maintained a strong brotherhood.
By 1984, the Fat Boys had participated in national marketing campaigns and had been featured in several movies, the trio’s first role being in the 1985 musical comedy-drama Krush Groove.
Fat Boys: Overlooked and Underrated: Rip Big #Buff & Prince Markie Dee
Beyond music, the trio ventured into acting, appearing in films such as Krush Groove (1985) and Disorderlies (1987).
Wimbley has maintained a relatively private personal life. In his early twenties, Wimbley weighed around 330 pounds, which led him to adopt a healthier lifestyle.
A Personal Transformation
By the time Damon Wimbley hit his late 30s, he had already watched both of his fellow Fat Boys pass away. Darren Robinson (Buff Love) died at just 28 from a heart attack linked to obesity. Damon-also known as Kool Rock Ski-was the last living member of one of hip-hop’s most iconic groups. At one point, he weighed over 360 pounds.
In the ‘80s, being big was part of the brand. The Fat Boys were famous for embracing size with swagger. They made comedy out of hunger and created an identity around food. But the era faded. After the music slowed, so did the movement. Daily activity dropped. Habits solidified. Fast food remained frequent. Health screenings were postponed. Sleep became shallow.
He began to think of his groupmates-and what their early deaths had meant. Not just to music, but to their mothers. Their children. He didn’t want that fate.
Damon was in his 40s when he decided he wasn’t going out like that. He wasn’t going to be a statistic. He wanted to perform again without getting winded.
Over the course of several years, Damon Wimbley lost 175 pounds-dropping from 360 to around 185. He did it without surgery. No pills. No gimmicks. Damon changed everything about how he ate. He didn’t starve himself. He didn’t cut out all carbs or follow fad diets. He learned to enjoy cooking. He planned his meals. Nutritionists often note that real weight loss comes from consistent calorie control, blood sugar stability, and reduced processed food intake.
In the beginning, walking was the only option. His knees were stiff. His stamina low. Today, he trains almost every day. Physically, Damon got stronger. But with every pound lost, he gained clarity. The more he moved, the better he felt. He didn’t just want to live.
Once, after a small injury, he took a break from workouts-and gained 12 pounds back in a month. Damon didn’t pretend it was easy. He accepted it would be hard. But he kept showing up. Again.
As of 2025, Damon Wimbley is healthy, active, and grounded. He still performs. Still laughs. Still shares stories. This isn’t just a celebrity comeback tale. If there’s one lesson Damon’s weight loss teaches, it’s this: You don’t need to be perfect. No. Whole foods, lean protein, vegetables, fruits, and lots of water. Yes. Damon Wimbley’s name will always be tied to The Fat Boys. It’s the quiet discipline. The willingness to begin again. His 175-pound weight loss is a number. You don’t need fame to follow his footsteps.
Recognition and Current Activities
STONY BROOK, NY - The Fat Boys, that iconic hip-hop group, was recently inducted into the Long Island Music and Entertainment Hall of Fame (LIMEHOF) at its newly opened museum location in Stony Brook.
Kool Rock-Ski (Damon Wimbley), the last surviving member of The Fat Boys, accepted the induction in person from hip-hop legend and LIMEHOF inductee Erick Sermon of EPMD. “It’s definitely an honor on behalf of the group, two members who are no longer here,” Kool Rock-Ski said. “To accept this on their behalf is huge, because they brought so much to the culture. Their legacy lives on with an award like this. We got to the pinnacle of our success-and we got there the hard way, by doing a lot of hard work.
“The Fat Boys introduced the beatbox, to the world and the song they made was funky to me,” said EPMD’s Erick Sermon, himself a LIMEHOF inductee, when he officially inducted The Fat Boys on stage. “These young men were talented and passionate about their craft at a very young age. Producing The Fat Boys was one the highlights of my career. Rest in peace, Buffy (the Human Beatbox Master) and Prince Markie Dee (Mark Morales). I will never forget you, and you are greatly missed.
LIMEHOF has long recognized the unique talent and contributions that Long Island artists brought to the hip-hop genre. Notable hip-hop inductees include LL Cool J, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, Eric B. & Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Kurtis Blow, Whodini, Salt-N-Pepa, and EPMD.
In recent years, Wimbley has remained active in the hip-hop community. He engages with fans through social media, sharing memories and promoting Fat Boys merchandise.
Wimbley is still active on social media and regularly posts about the Fat Boys. He also produces Fat Boys merchandise which he promotes via Instagram.
He has been featured on multiple records, collaborating with New York rappers City the Great and Kokane in 2022.