The Sugarhill Gang is an American hip hop group, known mostly for their biggest hit, "Rapper's Delight", the first hip hop single recorded to become a Top 40 hit. The song uses the instrumental track from "Good Times" by Chic as its foundation.
The members, all from Englewood, New Jersey, called themselves Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank and Master Gee. They were assembled into a group by producer Sylvia Robinson who also founded Sugar Hill Records, along with her husband, the record mogul Joe Robinson.
History
This pioneering group inaugurated the recorded history of hip hop with their single "Rapper's Delight", a multi-platinum seller in 1980. Englewood based producer and indie label owner Sylvia Robinson had become aware of the hip hop block parties occurring around New York City during the late 1970s, so she gathered three locals from her town: Guy O'Brien, who was the original Master Gee; another local rapper, Michael Wright, who called himself Wonder Mike, and Big Bank Hank. The vocalists were then teamed up with three session musicians, namely the future Living Colour bassist, Doug Wimbish, guitarist Little Axe and drummer Keith LeBlanc. Together, they recorded all of the Sugarhill Gang's work.
Contrary to popular belief, the Sugarhill Gang is the first rap group to perform on American Bandstand. This has been an issue between Run D.M.C. statistics and biographies located on the internet. The Sugarhill Gang performed "Rapper's Delight" before Run D.M.C. on American Bandstand.
"Rapper's Delight" was a #36 hit on the U.S. pop chart and a #4 hit on the U.S. R&B chart in 1979. It is often cited as the first hip hop single, however it can be argued that it was actually preceded by "King Tim III (Personality Jock)",[1] by the Fatback Band, which at the time was considered to be under the funk genre.[2] The Sugarhill Gang's place in music history seems secure as the first hip hop group to have a gold single.
"Rapper's Delight" used a track cut from a Sugar Hill house band called Positive Force. The track sampled "Good Times" by Chic. Big Bank Hank's verses were lyrics written by Grandmaster Caz. However despite the success, Caz did not receive any royalties for his contribution.[3] Chic's Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards filed a lawsuit for copyright infringement over "Rapper's Delight" (the first of many such legal battles for rap); it was settled out of court, leaving Rodgers with a large cut of all future royalties.
The Sugarhill Gang never again topped the charts, though they had a few minor hits, such as "Apache", "Eighth Wonder" (which was performed on the American music show Soul Train in 1981), "Rapper's Reprise [Jam Jam]", and "Showdown" (with the Furious Five). In 1999, they reunited and recorded Jump on It, a hip hop children's album. They continue to tour.
Bob Sinclar collaborated with Wonder Mike and Master Gee on his 2009 release "Lala Song".
Discography
Albums
Singles
- "Rapper's Delight" (1979)
- "Rapper's Reprise (Jam Jam)" (1980)
- "Apache" (1981)
- "Kick It Live From 9 To 5" / "The Lover In You" (1983)
- "Work, Work The Body" (1985)
- "Lala Song" — Bob Sinclar featuring The Sugarhill Gang (2009)
References
External links
