November 10 in music history [Hip-Hop]

November 10 is not that rich in notable hip-hop events as November 9, but still there are few. Honorable mentions would be the birth of great rap artists Big Pun (R.I.P.), Warren G and Eve, and American electronic DJ Diplo. Talking about specific events and songs, this day in 1990 were significant in further bridging the gap  between rap and pop music. The thing that happened, was 2 subsequent hip-hop albums charting as Number 1 in US albums chart that winter (To the Extreme by Vanilla Ice replaced MC Hammer's Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em). 

Our event of the day in history is related to music charts as well and happened 11 years earlier when RAPPER'S DELIGHT by Sugarhill Gang first entered the charts. Most of us know that the group (when first aired on radio) was a surprise to everyone down in NYC. Nor they had been crucial when the hip-hop took it's first baby steps, nor they were known for their skills and performances by the late 1970's. Heck, even the lyrics of Rapper's Delight were borrowed from the legendary emcee Grandmaster Caz. 

Then why did such irony happen in the shape of unknown artists (from New Jersey by the way) making history as the force behind very first hip-hop single. The answer is simple - many hip-hop culture heavyweights of the time did not consider their music suitable to be recorded and stuffed into one 33RPM vinyl record. Hip-hop parties in 70's usually featured ongoing hip-hop battles and DJ sets that could last for hours. So making a single in less than 20 minutes? That's a negative.

And that's why when Sylvia Robinson (R.I.P.) and her Sugar Hill Records were looking to make a breakthrough with this great new urban phenomenon, they first approached more known characters who denied their offer due to aforementioned reasons. So there entered the freshly assembled not so experienced trio of  Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank (R.I.P.), and Master Gee. They recorded the great Rappers Delight 15 minute version which became an instant hit. Even though, 15 minutes were beyond the threshold of one hip-hop song (as 70's heavyweights predicted, it was too little), it succeeded and the rest is history. Much smaller hip-hop songs were soon popping up one after another marking another big step in the evolution of hip-hop - the end of local party scene and the start of hip-hop getting global and closer to mainstream audiences. 

I added 4 Sugarhill Gang releases for download, including their 1) original 12'' single of Rappers Delight, 2) their debut album CD rip; 3) Rappers Delight '89 remix by Ben Liebrand, 4) best hits compilation. 

Links in different qualities can be found here: 

• T1 (MP3 320): LINK
• T2 (FLAC I):  LINK
• T3 (FLAC II): LINK

J (Olas un Bekons)