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Rappers Delight

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music2 years ago•5 min saved

"Breaking Boundaries: The East St. Louis Radio Station that Revolutionized Hip-Hop with 'Rapper's Delight'"

In 1979, radio station WESL in East St. Louis made history by being the first to play the 14-minute-long hip-hop record "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugarhill Gang. Despite initial skepticism, the song became rap music's first commercial hit and introduced many people to the genre. The station's co-owner and program director, "Gentleman" Jim Gates, credits his relationship with Sugar Hill Records founders for landing the song first. The catchy track, featuring unauthorized samples from Chic's "Good Times," was initially passed on by other DJs, including Frankie Crocker of WBLS in New York City. The song's debut on WESL sparked immediate listener excitement and became a sensation, with DJs and club owners rushing to get copies.

via St. Louis Post-Dispatch|

#hip-hop #history #music

music2 years ago•9 min saved

"Unveiling the Roots: Rap Legends Reflect on 'Rapper's Delight' and Early Hip-Hop Influences"

In celebration of hip-hop's 50th anniversary, several rap legends including Queen Latifah, Chuck D, Method Man, and E-40 recall their first memories of hearing rap and how it impacted them. Many of them cited The Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" as the first rap song they heard, but their answers reveal the sense of discovery that marked rap's early years. These artists reminisce about connecting with rap through songs by acts like Afrika Bambaattaa, Grandmaster Flash, and Run-D.M.C., highlighting the transformative impact of these early hip-hop influences.

via The Associated Press|

#hip-hop #influences #legends