1979 in hip hop music

This article summarizes the events, album releases, and album release dates in hip hop music for the year 1979.

List of years in hip hop music
… 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 …
Art Archaeology Architecture Literature Music Philosophy Science +...

Releases

March

Fatback Band – King Tim III (Personality Jock)

On March 25, 1979, the Fatback Band released the single "King Tim III (Personality Jock)" which is often cited as the first recorded hip hop song.^[1] However, even if a record called "Enterprise" who was released in the play Runaways (Original Broadway Cast Recording) on July 7, 1978,^[2][3] is also considered as the first recorded hip hop song. However, the exact origins of hip hop remain debated, with various recordings and performances from the 1970s contributing to its early development. Regardless of the specific milestone, these early releases laid the foundation for the vibrant and influential genre that hip hop would become.^[4]

September

The Sugarhill Gang – Rapper's Delight

On September 16, 1979, The Sugarhill Gang released the single Rapper's Delight, which became the first commercially successful hip-hop song. It was the first rap song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching number 37, and peaked at number 4 on the R&B charts.^[5] It is often mistaken as the first recorded hip hop song.^[1] The song was increasingly popular outside of the United States especially in the United Kingdom and Canada-it exceeded over $3.5 million in sales and over two million in copies within the first few weeks of its launching. In 2011, the song was preserved into the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress stat, especially in the United Kingdom and Canada. It exceeded over $3.5 million in sales and over two million in copies within the first few weeks of its launching,^[6] the infectious dance number might have launched an entire genre.^[7] In 2014, "Rapper's Delight" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Over 14 million copies of "Rapper's Delight" have been sold since 1979.^[6]

December

Kurtis Blow – Christmas Rappin'

Russell Simmons decided that he wanted to create a rap record with Kurtis Blow. He realized that the best way of earning money was by creating a Christmas record as it would be played every year. After playing the song for 22 labels, they finally got it released on Mercury Records.^[8] The record was eventually sold over 500,000 times.^[9]There were obstacles in their way as they tried to make "Christmas Rappin'" widely available. Even with the song's obvious popularity, record labels refused to support Simmons and Blow because they doubted rap music could succeed, particularly when it comes to Christmas music. They continued anyhow, playing the song for a number of labels before they eventually signed a record deal with Mercury Records.

Hip-hop history reached a major turning point with the publication of "Christmas Rappin'," which propelled the genre into the public eye over the Christmas season. Sales of more over 500,000 copies proved its success beyond all predictions, demonstrating its ongoing appeal and cultural influence. December is a time for celebration, and the combination of hip-hop and Christmas music adds a special touch to the Christmas season. "Christmas Rappin'" by Kurtis Blow, a groundbreaking song in the genre, is one noteworthy example. Not only was the creation of this timeless song a creative inspiration, but it was also a calculated move to capitalize on the popularity of holiday-themed music. Russell Simmons, a creative entrepreneur with a keen understanding of the music business, was the inspiration behind "Christmas Rappin'". Seeing Christmas rap albums as a rich man's opportunity, Simmons went to work with one of the leading names in the new hip-hop scene, Kurtis Blow. Together, they set out to produce a song that would serve as both an enduring and entertaining piece of music. As we reflect on the legacy of "Christmas Rappin'," we are reminded of the power of music to transcend boundaries and unite people in celebration. In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, let us take a moment to appreciate the timeless classics that bring joy and cheer to our lives, including the iconic sounds of Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rappin'."

Unknown month

Bramsam – Move Your Body ^[10]

Dr. Superman / Lady Sweet – Can You Do It (Superman) / Back to Metropolis ^[11]

David Lampell – I Ran Iran ^[12]

Eddie Cheba – Lookin' Good (Shake Your Body) ^[13]

Family – Family Rap ^[14]

First Class – Rappin' It Up ^[15]

Funky Constellation – Street Talk (Madam Rapper) ^[16]

Funky Four Plus One – Rappin' and Rocking the House ^[17]

Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five – SuperRappin' ^[18]

Jocko – Rhythm Talk ^[19]

Jocko – The Rocketship ^[20]

Jazzy 4 MC's – MC Rock ^[21]

Joe Bataan – Rap-O Clap-O / El Rap-O Clap-O ^[22]

Lady B – To The Beat Y'all ^[23]

Lady D / MC Tee – Lady D / Nu Sounds ^[24]

Little Starsky – Gangster Rock ^[25]

Mr. Q – D. J. Style ^[26]

Mr. Q – Ladies Delight ^[27]

Mr. Q – Love & Time / Rapping Time ^[28]

Mr. Q – Party Party / Party Rapp ^[29]

Neil B / Brooklyn Express – Body Rock ^[30]

The Sequence – Funk You Up ^[31]

Ron Hunt / Ronnie G. & The S.M. Crew – Spiderap / A Corona Jam ^[32]

Paulett and Tanya Winley / Ann Winley – Rhymin' and Rappin' / Watch Dog ^[33]

Scoopy – Scoopy Rap ^[34]

Sicle Cell & Rhapazooty – Rhapazooty in Blue ^[35]

Spoonie Gee – Spoonin Rap ^[36]

Steve Gordon & The Kosher Five – Take My Rap... Please ^[37]

T.J. Swan – And You Know That ^[38]

Troy Rainey – Tricky Tee Rap ^[39]

Uno – Boogie Beat ^[40]

Wackie's Disco Rock Band – Wack Rap ^[41]

Willie Wood & Willie Wood Crew – Willie Rap ^[42]

Mr. Magic – Rappin' With Mr. Magic

Xanadu & Sweet Lady – Rappers Delight / Rockers Choice ^[43]

Younger Generation (early name of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five) – We Rap More Mellow ^[44]

See also

• Next article: 1980 in hip hop music

References

1. To the break of dawn, William Jelani Cobb, p44
2. Joseph Papp Presents - Runaways (in French), retrieved 2022-08-29
3. "Runaways – Original Cast Recording 1978". The Official Masterworks Broadway Site. Retrieved 2022-08-29.
4. "HIP HOP HISTORY: FROM THE STREETS TO THE MAINSTREAM".
5. Murphy, Keith (2023-08-07). "'I said a hip-hop, the hippie, the hippie / to the hip, hip-hop and you don't stop...'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2024-04-30.
6. Reese, Eric (2011). ""Rapper's Delight"-- Sugarhill Gang (1979)" (PDF). Library of Congress (.gov).{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
7. "Recordings by Donna Summer, Prince and Dolly Parton Named to the National Recording Registry". The Library of Congress. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
8. "HHE Transcripts: Kurtis Blow and Russell Simmons Tell The Story Behind "Christmas Rappin'" to Hip-Hop Evolution | Hip-Hop Evolution". Hip-Hop Evolution. 2016-12-19. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
9. George, Nelson (2003-08-15). The Death of Rhythm and Blues. Penguin. ISBN 9781101160671.
10. "Bramsam - Move Your Body". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
11. "Dr. Superman & Lady Sweet – Can You Do It (Superman)". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
12. "David Lampell – I Ran Iran". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
13. "Eddie Cheba – Lookin' Good (Shake Your Body)". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
14. "Family (4) – Family Rap". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
15. "First Class (8) – Rappin' It Up". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
16. "Funky Constellation – Street Talk (Madam Rapper)". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
17. "Funky Four Plus One More* – Rappin And Rocking The House". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
18. "Grandmaster Flash And The Furious Five* – Superappin'". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
19. "Jocko – Rhythm Talk". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
20. "Jocko – The Rocketship". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
21. "Jazzy 4 MC's – MC Rock". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
22. "Joe Bataan – Rap-O Clap-O". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
23. "Lady B (2) – To The Beat Y'all". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
24. "Lady D (2) / M.C. Tee* – Lady D / Nu Sounds". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
25. "Little Starsky / Land Of Hits Orchestra – Gangster Rock". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
26. "Mr. Q.* – D. J. Style". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
27. "Mr. Q (2) – Ladies Delight". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
28. "Mr Q* – Love & Time". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
29. "Mr. Q.* – Party Party". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
30. "Neil "B" / Brooklyn Express – Body Rock". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
31. "The Sequence – Funk You Up". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
32. "Ron Hunt / Ronnie G. & The S.M. Crew – Spiderap / A Corona Jam". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
33. "Paulette* And Tanya Winley / Ann Winley – Rhymin' And Rappin' / Watch Dog". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
34. "Scoopy – Scoopy Rap". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
35. "Sicle Cell & Rhapazooty – Rhapazooty In Blue". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
36. "Spoonin Gee* – Spoonin Rap". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
37. "Steve Gordon & The Kosher Five – Take My Rap... Please". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
38. "T.J. Swan* – And You Know That". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
39. "Troy Rainey – Tricky Tee Rap". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
40. "Uno (7) – Boogie Beat". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
41. "Solid C., Bobby D.*, Kool Drop (2), Wackie's Disco Rock Band – Wack Rap". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
42. "Willie Wood & Willie Wood Crew – Willie Rap". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
43. "Xanadu (2) & Sweet Lady – Rappers Delight / Rockers Choice". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.
44. "The Younger Generation – We Rap More Mellow". Discogs. Retrieved 2017-07-25.