The One With Rapper's Delight

This month, I'm participating in the Slice of Life challenge with Two Writing Teachers. If you want to participate, you can link up at their Slice of Life Story Post or you can head on over there to check out other people's stories and follow along with the fun. For more information on what a Slice of Life is about, you can go here. 

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In researching the origins of rap and hip hop, I learned that Rapper's Delight was a really big deal in the history of hip hop. According to Wikipedia, "While it was not the first single to include rapping, it is generally considered to be the song that introduced hip hop music to audiences in the United States and around the world..." (I know it's Wikipedia but I'm using it as a place to get myself started.) Rapper's Delight was the first rap single to become a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

I had no idea! Like I mentioned yesterday...some people are going to read this post and be like, "Wow, I had no idea." And some people are going to read this post and be like, "This woman is clueless." But I'm sharing my truth in the context of my learning. I hope my focus on learning stands out the most. I don't know this stuff but I'm really trying to learn.

And there is so much to learn! Even just about Rapper's Delight. Rapper's Delight was released in 1979 on The Sugarhill Gang album Sugarhill Gang. 

I'm pretty sure the first time I ever heard this song was on The Wedding Singer. Sad but true. Knowing this, it's pretty easy to see how I had no idea Rapper's Delight such an iconic hip hop song.

Now I'm trying to figure out how Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five are associated with Rapper's Delight because I thought this song was performed by them but it seems like it was actually on the Sugarhill Gang album. I wish I was more knowledgeable in sharing all of this but I'm learning as I go. If you have any insight to share, please do! 

*Updated: Rapper's Delight is definitely from Sugarhill Gang....and has nothing to do with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. I was confused.*

I discovered The Foundation YouTube channel and listened to some of GRANDMASTER FLASH & THE FURIOUS 5 - FOUNDATION LESSON #12 - JAYQUAN. There are tons of videos that seem very informational so I'll be listening to some of them for sure. 

I'm also sharing my learning with my kids. They love to ask Alexa to play old school rap but they have no idea what they are listening to. I made sure they listened to Rapper's Delight tonight and they thought it was so much fun.