Backed primarily by the Sugar Hill house band early on, the group wrote party-friendly anthems.At the same time, they gained noteriety thanks to socially conscious singles like The Message or White Lines (Dont Do It).Broke up after Melle Mel decided he was the real Grandmaster.Backed primarily by the Sugar Hill house band early on, the group w read more.
At the same time, read more. Composed of one DJ (Grandmaster Flash) and five rappers (Melle Mel, Kidd Creole, Cowboy, Mr. NessScorpio, and Rahiem), the groups use of turntablism, break-beat deejaying, choreographed stage routines and lyricism was a significant force in the early development of hip-hop music. However, in 1983, relations between Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel became strained and the group disbanded. A reunion was organized in 1987, and it released a new album. ![]() The most New York song of all time is The Message by South Bronx rap crew Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5. The Message epitomizes both New York City and the beloved music genre that was born here. This urgent street life manifesto is the pure embodiment of the urban environment. Its the sound of heat rising from South Bronx concrete on a hot summer day. The Message is credited for introducing the harsh light of reality into a genre whose previous chief concern had been partying. Its unblinking portrayal of the concrete jungle (broken glass everywhere people pissing on the stairs you know they just dont care) was the kernel for gangsta rap; it opened the floodgates for a N.W.A., Public Enemy, and other groups who would use rap for a purpose that Chuck D described as CNN for black people. ![]() When Grandmaster Flash performed the song in Williamsburgs McCarren Park on Friday, the songs cascading synth rhythm sounded as fresh as ever. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5 released The Message in 1982. The Message was considered an experiment in an embryonic genre dominated by party rhymes (like Sugarhill Gangs Rappers Delight). The song was released hot on the heels of Planet Rock by Afrika Bambaataa the Soulsonic Force a song which had successfully expanded hip hops boundaries in yet another direction: futuristic, electronic sounds influenced by German pioneers Kraftwerk. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5 (Flash is standing second from left, Melle Mel kneeling) The rap verses in The Message were written by co-producer Duke Bootee, and performed by Bootee and Furious Five member Melle Mel. The songs concept originated with co-producer Jiggs Chase and Sugar Hill Records head Sylvia Robinson. Chase told The Guardian that Robinson was already seeking a serious song to show what was happening in society. Then, Chase heard Duke Bootee offhandedly rap the lyric that would become iconic: Dont push me, cos Im close to the edge, Im trying not to lose my head. Robinsons concept for a rap song with a serious message was fused with Bootees lyric, and the songs seed was planted. The record label pitched the song to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5 who were skeptical at first, because they were used to party rhymes and boast records. Melle Mel told Terry Gross that he ultimately caved in and agreed to do the song, which he just thought would be another record. Diddy used a remix of it (the abhorrent Cant Nobody Hold Me Down ), as did did Ice Cube (Check Yo Self feat. Nas invoked the classic song by using its title for his own street life rumination. Its a true classic of the New York spirit, and of hip hop itself. Tags: Grandmaster Flash, Hip Hop Listen to the best podcast in music. Subscribe to the Culture Creature podcast: Apple Podcasts Android Stitcher RSS Related Articles Andr 3000 Releases 2 New Songs (Listen) Premiere: spoony bard fuses hip-hop, jazz, and electronic music on commoner Czarface plan the perfect hip-hop and comics crossover with First Weapon Drawn Watch Danny Browns New Video, Directed by Jonah Hill Comments New on the Podcast Foxygens Jonathan Rado Finds Creative Bliss In Pursuit Of The Unknown Jonny Pierce Of The Drums: The Culture Creature Interview Citizens Mat Kerekes On Queen, Mortal Kombat, And The Power Of Nostalgia Interview: Greg Puciato Expels The Ugly Toxic Thing That Fueled His Darkest Work See all podcast episodes ADVERTISEMENT Podcast Highlights Interview: Greg Puciato Expels The Ugly Toxic Thing That Fueled His Darkest Work Saves The Days Chris Conley On His Euphoric Musical Journey Run-DMCs Darryl McDaniels Discusses The Origins Of Icons Interview: Ian MacKaye on Trump, Social Media and Fugazi 2020 Culture Creature.
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