"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.