Hip-Hop/Rap
United States
The Sugarhill Gang
About The Sugarhill Gang
Old-school rap trio The Sugarhill Gang changed the world with 1979’s “Rapper’s Delight,” the first hip-hop single to become a Top 40 hit.
• Consisting of New Jersey rappers Wonder Mike, Master Gee, and Big Bank Hank, the group was put together by producer and Sugar Hill Records cofounder Sylvia Robinson to capitalize on New York City’s popular hip-hop block parties in the late 1970s.
• “Rapper’s Delight” interpolates Chic’s 1979 disco classic “Good Times.” That led to a copyright dispute that resulted in Chic members Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards earning songwriting credits on “Rapper’s Delight.”
• In 2012, “Rapper’s Delight” was enshrined in the National Recording Registry of the Library Congress. The song has also been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
• The Sugarhill Gang followed up the success of “Rapper’s Delight” with a 1980 self-titled album and three more full-lengths—8th Wonder, Rappin’ Down Town, and Livin’ in the Fast Lane—before splitting up in 1985.
• The group reunited for the 1999 children’s album Jump On It!
Influenced by The Sugarhill GangThe Sugarhill Gang has influenced the music of Slick Rick, Mark Ronson, Eazy-E and more.
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