The Sugarhill Gang is an American hip hop group that is widely regarded as one of the pioneering acts of the genre. The group was formed in Englewood, New Jersey, in 1979, and they are best known for their hit song “Rapper’s Delight,” which is widely regarded as the first hip hop record to achieve widespread commercial success.
The Sugarhill Gang was formed by producer Sylvia Robinson, who had previously worked in the music industry as a singer and songwriter. Robinson was inspired to start a hip hop group after hearing DJ Kool Herc’s “breakbeat” style of music at parties in the Bronx. She saw the potential for hip hop to become a popular music genre and decided to create a group that could bring the music to a wider audience.
The Sugarhill Gang consisted of three rappers: Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank, and Master Gee. The group was named after the Sugar Hill area of Harlem, which was known for its affluent African American residents.
In 1979, the Sugarhill Gang released their debut single, “Rapper’s Delight.” The song was based on the instrumental track of Chic’s hit song “Good Times,” and it featured the three rappers trading verses over the funky beat. The song was an instant hit and it became a worldwide sensation.
“Rapper’s Delight” was the first hip hop record to achieve widespread commercial success. The song reached number 36 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and it sold over 8 million copies worldwide. The success of the song helped to establish hip hop as a viable commercial genre, and it paved the way for future hip hop artists to achieve mainstream success.
Following the success of “Rapper’s Delight,” the Sugarhill Gang released several more singles and albums throughout the 1980s. However, they were never able to achieve the same level of success as their debut single. The group’s later releases were criticized for being derivative and formulaic, and they were overshadowed by a new wave of hip hop artists who were pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Despite their commercial decline, the Sugarhill Gang continued to tour and perform throughout the 1990s and 2000s. They remained a popular live act, and they continued to be celebrated as pioneers of the hip hop genre. In 2016, the group released a new album, “The 99 Cent Dreams,” which received positive reviews from critics.
Today, the Sugarhill Gang is regarded as one of the most influential groups in the history of hip hop. Their groundbreaking debut single “Rapper’s Delight” helped to popularize the genre and paved the way for future hip hop artists to achieve mainstream success. The group’s legacy continues to be celebrated by fans and music historians alike, and their influence can be heard in the music of countless hip hop artists who have followed in their footsteps.
