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XXL celebrates 50 years of hip-hop at this moment.
January 5, 1980: The Sugarhill Gang’s 1979 classic “Rapper’s Delight” helped propel hip-hop from the humble streets of the Bronx, New York, to mainstream popularity.
The song was the idea of the late Sugar Hill Records founder Sylvia Robinson and her late husband Joseph Sr. Bank Hank’ Jackson sings a rhyme written over the bassline groove of Chic’s “Good Times” played by Sugar Hill’s in-house live band, Positive Force (Cold Crush Brothers , said to be from Grandmaster Kaz’s rhyme book).
The result was a 14-minute song that was reportedly made in one take. There is also his 6 minute version and his 4 minute version of the track for radio viewing. Released on September 16, 1979, “Rapper’s Delight” reached his No. 4 spot on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart dated December 8, 1979. On the 100 Singles chart, he reached number 37, officially becoming hip-hop’s first Top 40 hit. After peaking at his 36th place in the tally a week later, he plummeted to 96th place a week later.
Wonder Mike, Master Gee and the late Big Bank Hank’s boastful lyrics and hilarious narration connect with music fans around the world.
“I wasn’t known, but I figured if I rapped about ‘sexy women and pretty girls,’ it would get more attention,” Master Gee said. Guardian About songwriting in 2017. “It worked. But my line about being the ‘worst rapper’ was wishful thinking.”
“Rapper’s Delight” reportedly sold two million copies and was registered in the Library of Congress’ National Recording Registry.
Watch the Sugarhill Gang perform ‘Rapper’s Delight’ below
Watch every hip-hop song become a diamond in music history
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