Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Tuesday 12-inch Flashback: ‘Rapper’s Delight’

This being Black History Month, I wanted to find something historically significant for today’s 12-inch flashback.

The choice was obvious.

“Rapper’s Delight” by the Sugarhill Gang was the first hip-hop record ever. (Yeah, I know “King Tim III” had rapping in it... but it wasn’t a hip-hop record.)

Can you believe it has been 30 years?

No human being in 1979 could’ve imagined that rap music, three decades on, would be a multi-billion-dollar industry and a cornerstone of global youth culture.

By the way, did you know that “Rapper’s Delight” also inspired the first hip-hop parody record?

Yep. Chevy Chase released “Rapper’s Plight” on a 1980 comedy album. Click here to listen. It’s fucking horrible.

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4 comments:

  1. AnonymousFebruary 3, 2009 at 6:55 PM

    first record i ever bought. $7.98 at the local head shop. oh, how rap has evolved...thanks for the memory UBM!

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  2. Dollar BillFebruary 4, 2009 at 9:11 AM

    Thanks for mentioning Fatback,as you know I would have given you grief.

    There was a Canadian Parody that was released as a single that pre dates Chevy's outing,called "Rapper's De Feet" all about smelly feet.
    It was licencened by Sugar Hill and uses the same "Good Times" inspired instrumental.

    I'll see if there is a link for it somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dollar BillFebruary 4, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    http://waxidermy.com/2006/06/15/scottie-pete-gang-rappers-de-feet-bw-rappers-de-feet/

    With some additional info.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Undercover Black ManFebruary 4, 2009 at 9:31 AM

    Y'all Canadians... always a step ahead.

    ;^)

    ReplyDelete