Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
The first hip-hop group inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 2007, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five paired Flash's turntable innovations with five distinct MC voices: Melle Mel, Kidd Creole, Cowboy, Rahiem, and Scorpio. They pioneered freestyle MCing, trading and layering verses in a way earlier party rhymes hadn't attempted, and by 1978 had a standing weekly slot at Disco Fever in the Bronx, the club where the group built its reputation night after night.
The full story is in Early New York Hip-Hop.
At a glance
- Active
- 1978–1988
- From
- Bronx, New York
- Records in the issues
- 1 (1982), 1 of them a Start here pick
- Listening guide track
- “The Message”
Listen
In the Early New York Hip-Hop listening guide: “The Message”
In the issues
- Early New York Hip-HopPrincipal · 1973-1986 · Members
Early New York Hip-Hop is a music scene from New York City, USA, 1973–1986. Its principal artists include DJ Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. This issue covers 9 essential albums and 13 dated events.
Records
The Message
1982 · Start here in Early New York Hip-Hop
Terms
- MC
- A performer who raps or chants rhythmically over music, often hosting a set by hyping the crowd, introducing tracks, or delivering lyrics.