I always remember it as a part of the "leet speak" cultural phenomenon.

I honestly have no recollection of tying it to "and popularized in dancehall anthem by rap song “Whoot, There It Is” (single released March 22, 1993) by group 95 South".

Am I alone in that?

I had no idea there were two versions of that song by two different groups. I also find it a little surprising how close together those two songs were released… as if a ghost writer sold the concept to two groups.

I wonder what the real story is. The best I could find was an LA times article from 1993[0] where both groups claimed the other ripped them off. 95 South released first, but Tag Teams claims to have recorded it first.

It reminds me of how we often get two summer blockbuster movies with very similar concepts.

[0] https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-08-15-ca-23926-...