ENCORE OF THE MONTH
January, 2022
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were the group who were the driving force behind the development of a hip hop scene with a political and social conscience. 'Freedom' was the group's first offering via Sugar Hill Records and it set the scene for things to come.
'The Message' was the band's debut album and it broke the band into the mainstream. It is truly not an overreach to say this album gave a voice to the voiceless.
The band's music inspired a generation of hip hop artists around the world. There are just too many bands to list that have cited Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five as a major influence on their music.
The band hailed from the South Bronx in New York City. They had a lot to say about their hometown in their song 'New York New York'.
The band's existence was tumultuous to say the least. Things really started to fall apart right from the get go. It was messy. From the mess emerged one of my favorite songs. It is not a Grandmaster Flash song but a song from Melle Mel who formed the rival Grandmaster Melle and the Furious Five. If you are confused, you are not alone. It was complicated.
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five are considered to be one of the greatest hip hop groups ever. It is not surprising the band was the first hip hop act to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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