THE 1000 BEST SONGS IN THE WORLD EVER.

17-Sugarhill Gang-Rapper’s Delight,

1979-Number 3 single.

Best Bit-At 0.34. This is ‘Old-School Hip-Hop,’ there was no bad language to try to make you sound ‘cool,’ there were no derogatory words spoken about women, there was no use of the ‘N’ word, there was no homophobia, and you could make out the lyrics, because there was no mumbling.

The Sugarhill Gang were formed in Englewood, New Jersey, United States, in 1979, and remained active until 1985, they reformed in 1994, releasing one more Album, and at the time of writing the remaining living members still tour the world. All three group members, Michael ‘Wonder Mike’ Wright, Henry ‘Big Bank’ Hank Jackson, (1956-2014) and Guy ‘Master Gee’ O’Brien were all from Englewood, New Jersey, and were brought together by Joey Robinson Jr. (1962-2015) who was the son of the legendary Sylvia Robinson, (1935-2011) (see also best songs 597-523-466-290 and 87) who was the co-founder of ‘Sugarhill Records.’ The ‘Sugarhill Gang’ would go on to release five studio Albums between 1980-1999, and 15 singles between 1979-2009.’Rappers Delight’ remains their only major hit single on either side of the Atlantic, where it became the first ever ‘Rap’ song to break into the Billboard Hot 100 singles top 40 when reaching Number 36 in 1979, and it was also the first ever Billboard hit to only be available in 12 inch format in America.

‘Rap’ had been performed in and around New York City since the early 1970’s but record labels didn’t see it as something which would sell in recorded form to the masses, it was seen as only a fad that was performed live at social events where young people would get together. It was Sylvia Robinson, later to become dubbed as ‘The Mother of Hip-Hop’ who had the foresight, she discovered Rap music through her children, and used her business experience and industry contacts to promote it.

‘Rapper’s Delight’ has eight names credited as the songs writers including Sylvia Robinson who was the songs producer. It was the first of two singles released from the Sugarhill Gang’s self titled debut studio Album, which is also considered to be the first ‘Rap’ Album. The songs ‘beat’ is an interpolation of ‘Good Times’ by the American Disco band ‘Chic,’ (see also best songs 175) which was co-written by Nile Rogers and Bernard Edwards (1952-1996.) On hearing ‘Rappers Delight’ Rogers threatened a lawsuit, and things were settled with his name and Edwards added to the writing credits. The other musical sample on the track is the songs intro, which is also repeated at 4.37, this is an interpolation of the 1979 Disco track ‘Here Comes That Sound Again’ by ‘Love De-Luxe,’ which was a studio group assembled by the Leeds, England, born music producer Alan Hawkshaw (1937-2021.) Hawkshaw worked with many of the worlds top artists, including playing keyboards for David Bowie, (Bowie at the Beeb) and Donna Summer, (Once Upon a Time) in the UK he would be best remembered for writing the theme tunes to the children’s television show ‘Grange Hill,’ and the game show ‘Countdown.’

There was controversy as to who wrote the lyrics performed by the late ‘Big Bank’ Hank on the track. It is claimed by the Hip-Hop performer Curtis Brown, who is better known by his stage names ‘Grandmaster Caz,’ or ‘Casanova Fly’ that Hank’s lyrics were written by him, and that Hank stole them. According to Brown, Hank had used Brown’s lyrics without his permission, and he never received royalties, while according to Hank, Brown had gladly gave him his notebook.

‘Rapper’s Delight’ is one of the most ground breaking songs in the history of ‘Popular Music,’ opening the door to a whole new genre, which has become the best selling type of music in the late 20th, and early 21st Centuries, especially in America where ‘Hip-Hop’ and ‘Rap’ dominate sales. On a personal note, my one claim to fame is having seen the three original members of the Sugarhill Gang perform ‘Rapper’s Delight’ live in Leeds in 1980.

‘Everybody go, hotel, motel, whatcha gonna do today? (Say what?) Yes, I’m gon’ get a fly girl, gonna get some spankin,’ drive off in a def OJ. Everybody go, hotel, motel, Holiday Inn, you say if your girl starts actin’ up, then you take her friend.’