A Bronx, New York native, Hank was the manager of the Cold Crush Brothers (a/k/a Cold Crush 4). When Hank was discovered by Sugar Hill Records’ Sylvia and Joe Robinson, the Cold Crush’s Grandmaster Caz would be consulted to write a would-be massive hit, 1979′s “Rapper’s Delight.” The song would be a breakthrough vehicle for Hank and his two Englewood, New Jersey rhyme-partners, who scored one of Hip-Hop’s first international hits. In the song, Hank’s verse famously battled the fictional Superman character, vying for the affection of Lois Lane. With Sugarhill Gang, Hank released five albums. 1982′s sophomore LP, also on the Sugar Hill label, 8th Wonder, would be a Top 50 hit for the trio. The title track, along with “Apache” and “Rapper’s Delight” compromised of the band’s three Top 100 charting singles. Hank’s status with Mike and Gee would be sometimes estranged in the 30 years since 1984′s Livin’ In The Fast Lane. However, Jackson did reunite for the group’s fifth and final LP, 1999′s Jump On It!, a Rhino Records-released Children’s Rap album. In recent years, Hank joined his Sugarhill Gang brothers in legal efforts to seek unpaid royalties from the Robinson family, regarding their catalog. Previously, Hank had toured without Mike and Gee (as Sugar Hill Gang), while the pair notably toured as “The Original Sugar Hill Gang,” while battling with their former label regarding rights to the group’s name. This is one of my favorite songs by the crew. youtu.be/qB7O6c5Uycw
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:34:16 +0000