 The record has been called "rhythm & blues-based rap", and has been cited as a major influence on new jack swing—a hip-hop-influenced form of funk which became the dominant form of contemporary R&B from 1987 to 1993.Nelson George described "Escape" music as a style which "black radio embraces", specifically a "radio-friendly, singles-oriented hip hop", as opposed to the "hard-core, more rhyme-centered rap".Retrospective commentary on their music suggested that, although the group sounded tame when compared to the later work of artists such as Too Short and Ol' Dirty Bastard, as well as groups like 2 Live Crew, Whodini were considered "raunchy and racy" during the mid-1980s on songs such as "Freaks Come Out at Night".