History
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five: Hip-Hop Pioneers
Joseph Saddler, born January 1, 1958, in Bridgetown, Barbados, is renowned as Grandmaster Flash, an American hip-hop musician and DJ. He stands as one of the foundational figures in hip-hop DJing, celebrated for his innovations in cutting and mixing. In 2007, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five achieved a landmark recognition, becoming the first hip-hop group inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Early Life and DJ Innovations
Saddler's family relocated to the United States from the West Indies, and he was raised in the Bronx. His immersion into the nascent New York DJ scene began with attending parties hosted by early hip-hop luminaries. Learning from pioneers like Pete Jones and Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash refined the technique of using duplicate records and two turntables. He distinguished himself by adding a precise manual edit with a mixer to extend and manipulate the "break" – the percussive section of a song. This allowed him to repeat breaks by skillfully switching between turntables, a technique that laid the groundwork for scratching, later developed by Grand Wizard Theodore.
Musical Influences and Group Formation
Grandmaster Flash's passion for music was significantly influenced by his parents. His father, a fervent collector of Caribbean and American R&B records, ignited Flash's fascination with music from an early age. His mother also encouraged his interest in electronics, which proved instrumental in his technical development as a DJ. After honing his skills at parties and collaborating with artists like Kurtis Blow and Lovebug Starski, Grandmaster Flash formed his own group in the late 1970s. Initially comprising Cowboy (Keith Wiggins), Melle Mel (Melvin Glover), and Kid Creole (Nathaniel Glover) as "Grandmaster Flash & the 3 MCs," the lineup evolved. Rahiem (Guy Todd Williams) and Scorpio (Eddie Morris) soon joined, solidifying the iconic "Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five."
Pioneering MCing and Landmark Releases
The group quickly gained acclaim for their lyrical prowess and innovative approach to MCing, contributing significantly to the development of freestyle battles and popularizing key phrases within hip-hop culture. Cowboy is credited with coining the term "Hip hop" through a rhythmic chant. Signed to Bobby Robinson's Enjoy Records, they released the classic "Superrappin'" in 1979. Later, with Sugar Hill Records, they produced numerous singles, including the gold-certified "Freedom."
Grandmaster Flash's technical mastery was showcased on the 1981 track "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel." This innovative piece ingeniously blended samples from Blondie's "Rapture," Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band's "Apache," Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," and Chic's "Good Times." Notably, this release marked the first time record scratching was captured on a commercial recording.
Their most impactful hit, "The Message" (1982), produced by Clifton "Jiggs" Chase and featuring session musician Duke Bootee, became a platinum-selling anthem. Despite its success, only Melle Mel from the group performed on the track, with Rahiem lip-syncing Duke Bootee's vocals in the music video. The group experienced internal divisions, leading to separate projects. Grandmaster Flash, Kid Creole, and Rahiem continued as "Grandmaster Flash," while Melle Mel and others performed as "Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five." Melle Mel achieved significant solo success, including the hit "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" and became the first rapper to win a Grammy Award for "Record of the Year" for his feature on Chaka Khan's "I Feel for You."
Legacy and Continued Influence
Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five reunited periodically, including for a charity concert in 1987 and a subsequent album in 1988. Cowboy passed away in 1989. Grandmaster Flash has continued to engage with his audience through a clothing line, "G.Phyre," and a deal to publish his memoirs. He also hosts a show on Sirius Satellite Radio and received the BET "I Am Hip Hop" Icon award. Melle Mel has also remained active, releasing a children's book/CD/DVD and his solo album "Muscles" in 2007.
The enduring legacy of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five was cemented by their historic induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. In 2008, Grandmaster Flash further demonstrated his continued relevance by remixing the single "Into the Galaxy" by the Australian group Midnight Juggernauts.
Discography
