On this day in music history: September 16, 1979 - Rappers Delight, the debut single by the Sugarhill Gang is released. Written by Michael Wright, Hank Jackson, Guy OBrien, Sylvia Robinson, Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, it is the debut release biggest hit for the New Jersey based rap trio. Recorded at Joe and Sylvia Robinsons All Platinum Studios (redubbed Sugar Hill Studios) in Englewood, NJ, the rhythm track and vocals will be recorded entirely live in a single take. Though technically not the first rap record released (King Tim III (Personality Jock) by Fatback is released a few weeks before in August of 1979), it will spread the New York City underground phenomenon beyond its five boroughs to the rest of the US, and the world. The song is an instant smash and at its sales peak is selling over 30,000 copies a day. Initially released only as a 12 single, it will sell over three million copies in the US alone (featuring the full unedited version on one side (original labels list the timing as 15:00, though the actual running time is 14:29), and a edited version on the flipside (listed as 6:30 on the label, the actual running time is 7:10) ). It is later revealed that the verses by Big Bank Hank were actually written by Grandmaster Caz (aka Curtis Fisher) of The Cold Crush Brothers but will not receive a writing credit or receive royalties from sales of the record. Chic members Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers will also have to sue Sugarhill for proper credit and royalties since the song borrows the music (also cutting in the strings from Chics record) from the bands recent smash Good Times. Rappers Delight will peak at #4 on the Billboard R&B singles chart, and #36 on the Hot 100. The single will be a huge international hit as well, peaking at #3 on the UK singles chart and hitting number one in Canada and The Netherlands.
Posted on: Tue, 16 Sep 2014 23:00:05 +0000
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