Hip Hop Originators Remind Us of the Roots of the Culture
It’s hard to believe there was a time in the world before Hip Hop. The music and the culture has infiltrated the globe, and the fashion, the mannerisms and vernacular are now a part of every day culture everywhere.
And whereas nowadays Hip Hop artists are a dime a dozen (no offence rappers/producers), there was a time when Hip Hop was considered a fad. I have a friend who was big into Hip Hop in the 90’s (nearly 30 years old now!) and his Dad told him “this is a fad, you’ll be over it in 5 years time”. I can confirm they’re not.
In terms of Hip Hop OGs, there are two group names synonymous, both groups known for different reasons, but each important to the culture in their own right. Furious Five, along with Grandmaster Flash, were a founding Hip Hop group in the 80s with their DJ, Flash, a pioneer of Hip Hop DJing, cutting, scratching and mixing. The group grew their reputation performing at parties and live shows in New York in the late 1970s and in the 80’s their songs like The Message gained mainstream success.
Sugarhill Gang and their hit Rapper’s Delight is considered THE song that brought Hip Hop to the mainstream. Though there were Hip Hop songs released previously, when Rapper’s Delight was released in 1980 it reached the Top 40 charts and it is said Sugarhill Gang are the first rap group to have a commercial release.
This history is going back 30-40 years now and, of course, things have changed. Keith Cowboy died in 1989 at just 29 years old. Big Bank Hank died in 2014 after a long battle with cancer. Rest in Paradise. Kidd Creole was charged with murder in 2017 (long story but Google it) and Rahiem is a regular guide with Hush Tours New York Hip Hop Tours. Flash is still doing his thing but touring less.
And whereas nowadays Hip Hop artists are a dime a dozen (no offence rappers/producers), there was a time when Hip Hop was considered a fad. I have a friend who was big into Hip Hop in the 90’s (nearly 30 years old now!) and his Dad told him “this is a fad, you’ll be over it in 5 years time”. I can confirm they’re not.
In terms of Hip Hop OGs, there are two group names synonymous, both groups known for different reasons, but each important to the culture in their own right. Furious Five, along with Grandmaster Flash, were a founding Hip Hop group in the 80s with their DJ, Flash, a pioneer of Hip Hop DJing, cutting, scratching and mixing. The group grew their reputation performing at parties and live shows in New York in the late 1970s and in the 80’s their songs like The Message gained mainstream success.
Sugarhill Gang and their hit Rapper’s Delight is considered THE song that brought Hip Hop to the mainstream. Though there were Hip Hop songs released previously, when Rapper’s Delight was released in 1980 it reached the Top 40 charts and it is said Sugarhill Gang are the first rap group to have a commercial release.
This history is going back 30-40 years now and, of course, things have changed. Keith Cowboy died in 1989 at just 29 years old. Big Bank Hank died in 2014 after a long battle with cancer. Rest in Paradise. Kidd Creole was charged with murder in 2017 (long story but Google it) and Rahiem is a regular guide with Hush Tours New York Hip Hop Tours. Flash is still doing his thing but touring less.
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Despite all this, Master Gee and Henn Dogg as Sugarhill Gang and Melle Mel and Scorpio as The Furious Five brought down the house at New Cross Inn last week. Not surprisingly there was an older crowd for this show but they were still very ready to party.
Sugarhill stepped to the stage first and brought the 80s Hip Hop vibes which really amped up the crowd. Master Gee still had his effortless flow and performed well with relatively new group member Henn Dogg. The difference between the older emcees and the current emcees is their understanding that the role of an emcee is to energise and connect with the crowd. In between songs Master Gee would speak with members of the audience and tell stories from back in the day.
After a short time, Master Gee and Henn Dogg surprisingly stepped off the stage. But little did I know this was to make way for The Furious Five (their name wasn’t on the line up times and I just assumed maybe they couldn’t make it). With an exciting introduction from the DJ, Melle Mel and Scorpio stepped to the stage with much crowd fanfare.
Sugarhill stepped to the stage first and brought the 80s Hip Hop vibes which really amped up the crowd. Master Gee still had his effortless flow and performed well with relatively new group member Henn Dogg. The difference between the older emcees and the current emcees is their understanding that the role of an emcee is to energise and connect with the crowd. In between songs Master Gee would speak with members of the audience and tell stories from back in the day.
After a short time, Master Gee and Henn Dogg surprisingly stepped off the stage. But little did I know this was to make way for The Furious Five (their name wasn’t on the line up times and I just assumed maybe they couldn’t make it). With an exciting introduction from the DJ, Melle Mel and Scorpio stepped to the stage with much crowd fanfare.
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The duo went straight into it playing a selection of 80s Hip Hop tracks. Melle Mel took the lead and ever the showman posed and flexed on stage. Scorpio complemented Mel with a more low-key performance coupled with his serious bars. The pair played with the crowd dropping Hip Hop tracks from the 90s to see if there was any recognition and reminding everyone who influenced these later Hip Hop artists. Of course, when they dropped The Message is crowd went wild grooving and rapping along to the infamous song.
Eventually, Master Gee and Henn Dogg made their way back on stage and it was time for a party. With the four emcees and the DJ, the style was reminiscent of the New York block parties. The rappers freestyling to the party tracks dropped by the DJ. As mentioned by Master Gee as the five closed their set, the group hadn’t mentioned anything about violence, aggression or hate. The energy and the vibe was just love and fun, everyone dancing and having a good time.
Somewhere along the nearly 40-year timeline, Hip Hop has lost its way. Sure the 90s era had some themes of guns and weed but there was also themes of togetherness, blackness and positive relationships, and all songs still had a message. Today’s Hip Hop, and particularly the commercial releases, are too focused on drugs, sex, violence, designer clothing, and the artists are more concerned with fame than to string a decent song together. At the New Cross Inn on Thursday the 30th of May, it was nice to be reminded of the humble and positive beginnings of Hip Hop and here’s hoping a return to the roots.
Follow the New Cross Inn on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with their shows.
Check out more gig photos on our Facebook page.
Eventually, Master Gee and Henn Dogg made their way back on stage and it was time for a party. With the four emcees and the DJ, the style was reminiscent of the New York block parties. The rappers freestyling to the party tracks dropped by the DJ. As mentioned by Master Gee as the five closed their set, the group hadn’t mentioned anything about violence, aggression or hate. The energy and the vibe was just love and fun, everyone dancing and having a good time.
Somewhere along the nearly 40-year timeline, Hip Hop has lost its way. Sure the 90s era had some themes of guns and weed but there was also themes of togetherness, blackness and positive relationships, and all songs still had a message. Today’s Hip Hop, and particularly the commercial releases, are too focused on drugs, sex, violence, designer clothing, and the artists are more concerned with fame than to string a decent song together. At the New Cross Inn on Thursday the 30th of May, it was nice to be reminded of the humble and positive beginnings of Hip Hop and here’s hoping a return to the roots.
Follow the New Cross Inn on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with their shows.
Check out more gig photos on our Facebook page.