The story of the Furious 5 Emcees is one of many firsts. These Bronx natives
were the first rap artists to win Grammy awards, guest star with R&B artists
(Chaka Khan with Melle Mel on “I Feel For You” in 1984), first to inject
social commentary into rap, with the genre changing “The Message” in 1982,
first to endorse a political candidate with the song “Jesse” in 1984, first
to be inducted into the rock & roll hall of fame and the list goes on.
That’s just the commercial side, after
rap was released on records. Before rap was released on records they were the
first to write full rhymes on the beat – unlike the nursery style that many
Djs were using at the time. The Furious 5s legendary Dj Grandmaster Flash was
the first to scratch & cut, literally using the turntable as an instrument.
The call & response technique, that is now a staple in rap live performances
was pioneered by The Furious.
The nucleus of the Furious 5 has 2 parts.
Grandmaster Flash’s need for an Emcee to entertain crowds while he did his
turntable magic, and the chemistry that siblings Nathaniel and Melvin Glover had
with composing rhymes. Keith Cowboy was the perfect fit for the Grandmaster
Flash, with his call and response tactics, and his ability to control a crowd.
Cowboy is regarded by many pioneers of the genre to be the first Emcee.
The Glover siblings, better known as Kid
Creole and Melle Mel, originated the back and forth style that Run – DMC made
popular. When Mel, Creole and Cowboy joined forces they were known as the 3
M.C.s, with Flash on the wheels. This was 1977 before anyone ever thought a rap
record could be a reality. Mel’s childhood friend and break dancing partner
Mr. Ness, aka Scorpio joined making the group the Furious 4. Rahiem from the
Funky 4 was the last to join cementing the legendary Furious 5.
Grandmaster Flash & The Furious
5 recorded “We Rap More Mellow” for Brass records in 1979, and Super Rappin’
for Enjoy Records in the same year. The momentum picked up when the group signed
with Sugar hill Records in 1980 and recorded “Freedom”. A string of classics
such as “Showdown”, “It’s Nasty”, “The Message”, “White
Lines”, “New York New York”, “Beat Street Breakdown” and many more
followed. Monetary disputes arose following “The Message” and the group
split into two factions soon after. Flash took Rahiem and Kid Creole with him,
and Melle Mel became Grandmaster Melle Mel, and took Cowboy & Scorpio.
Neither faction rekindled the magic of the
original group. In 1988 the original crew got together and signed with Elektra
records. They released “Gold” and the full length LP “On The Strength”.
Throughout the years
various members have recorded several solo projects, and
the Furious minus Flash reunited in 1990 and recorded the “Piano” LP. Unfortunately
the Furious lost Cowboy in 1990.In
2007 Grandmaster Flash & The Furious 5 became the first ever rap group to be
inducted into the rock & roll hall of fame! Today the Furious 5 still tour
the world to the delight of a dedicated fan base.
The story of the Furious 5 Emcees is one of many firsts. These Bronx natives
were the first rap artists to win Grammy awards, guest star with R&B artists
(Chaka Khan with Melle Mel on “I Feel For You” in 1984), first to inject
social commentary into rap, with the genre changing “The Message” in 1982,
first to endorse a political candidate with the song “Jesse” in 1984, first
to be inducted into the rock & roll hall of fame and the list goes on.
that many
Djs were using at the time. The Furious 5s legendary Dj Grandmaster Flash was
the first to scratch & cut, literally using the turntable as an instrument.
The call & response technique, that is now a staple in rap live performances
was pioneered by The Furious.
The Glover siblings, better known as Kid
Creole and Melle Mel, originated the back and forth style that Run – DMC made
popular. When Mel, Creole and Cowboy joined forces they were known as the 3
M.C.s, with Flash on the wheels. This was 1977 before anyone ever thought a rap
record could be a reality. Mel’s childhood friend and break dancing partner
Mr. Ness, aka Scorpio joined making the group the Furious 4. Rahiem from the
Funky 4 was the last to join cementing the legendary Furious 5.
various members have recorded several solo projects, and
the Furious minus Flash reunited in 1990 and recorded the “Piano” LP. Unfortunately
the Furious lost Cowboy in 1990.