Sugarhill Gang, The

Sugarhill Gang, The, arguably the first hitmaking stars of rap and originators of the phrase “hip-hop”. MEMBERSHIP: Master G. (real name, Guy O’Brien) (b. N.Y.C., 1963); Wonder Mike (real name, Michael Wright) (b. Englewood, N.J., 1958); Big Bank Hank (real name, Henry Jackson) (b. Bronx, N.Y., 1958).

Owners of several small independent soul labels, Joe and Sylvia Robinson heard rap music at a house party in N.Y.C, and thought it might sell if they recorded it. So they created a track based on the break in Chic’s hit “Good Times” and brought in three local rappers. The results, “Rapper’s Delight,” became the first rap record to reach the pop charts, topping out at #36 (#4 R&B), although the Fatback band had come close earlier in the year with “King Tim (Personality Jock).” With the rappers’ boasting rhymes and mildly salacious (especially by today’s standards) sexuality, the record was perfect party music. The gang hit the road—the first rap group to do that as well—creating a furor wherever they went. However, their follow-up single, “8th Wonder” topped out at #15 R&B, and their other records didn’t chart at all as existing crews like Grandmaster Flash, the Cold Crush Crew, and others started recording. The Gang made a comeback with a children’s record released on Rhino in 1999, teaching kids the joys of Dr. Seuss and grammar with rap.

Discography

Rapper’s Delight: Hip Hop Remix (1980); The Sugarhill Gang (1980); 8th Wonder (1982); Jump on It! (1999).

—Hank Bordowitz