Sugarhill Gang - Rappers Delight

WHO: Sugarhill Gang

WHAT: Rappers Delight (Rappers Delight)

WHEN: 1979

LABEL:  Sugarhill Records – SH 101

I like this so much I bought it twice. I got another copy so I could listen to both sides one after the other, without having to flip it over. Is that a bit sad? Maybe, but I’m unrepentant. I found the first copy at South Shields market for £1 and the other across the Tyne at Tynemouth market for another pound.

The Sugarhill Gang were assembled by late, legendary producer Sylvia Robertson, founder of Sugarhill Records, and comprised Wonder Mike (Michael Anthony Wright), Big Bank Hank (Henry Jackson) and Master Gee (Guy O’Brien). They are credited with bringing Rap into the main stream with this single.

THE A SIDE

There are a few different versions of this tune, all a different length. The version on the A side is the short 7” version, coming in at a mere 3:58 compared to the album version at a whopping 14:37.

Performed over the disco hit “Good Times” by Chic, this shows the origins of rap as an evolution of, or as a reaction to, disco and funk. Some of the lyrics are borderline genius on this track, and are still trotted out (albeit altered) by some rappers these days.

It’s definitely from a more innocent time in rap as you can tell by some of the more dubious rhymes. For example:

“Singing on and a on and on and on/ the beat don’t stop ‘till the break of dawn/Singing on and a on and on on and on/ rock, rock, yall, throw it on the floor”

At least I think that’s what it is. Mind you, this was brand new (at least as a recorded art form) back in 1979, so what sounds a bit clunky to modern ears was probably lyrical gold back in the late seventies.

THE B SIDE

As I’ve said already there are different versions of this tune and the B side is just that. In my opinion though this side has some out and out genius lyrics. For example, the bit when Big Bank Hank is dissing Superman is fantastic.

“He’s a fairy, I do suppose/Flying through the air in pantyhose/ He may be very sexy, or even cute/ but he looks like a sucker in a blue and red suit/ I said you need a man who's got finesse/ and his own name across his chest/ he may be able to fly all through the night/ but can he rock a party ‘til the early light/ he cant satisfy you with his little worm/ but I can bust you out with my super sperm“

I mean, forget Shakespeare that last couplet about super sperm is up there in the top three rhymes of history.

Speaking of the top three rhymes, the part when Wonder Mike starts rapping about going to his friends’ house for dinner is probably my favourite part, and makes me laugh every time I hear it. I wont quote it all here but I would like to submit the following for your consideration:

“So you say that's it I got to leave this place/ I don’t’ care what these people think/ I’m just sitting here making myself nauseous/ with this ugly food that stinks “

Genius.

THE VINYL

One of my copies has a scratch on the B side, which causes Hank to say “can he rock a..? can he rock a..? can he rock a..? can he rock a..? can he rock a..?” until you move the needle (which is another reason I have two copies). but the other copy plays spot on. The only thing wrong with it is another previous owner felt it necessary to write his name on the label. Thanks Les, wherever you are.

MY VERDICT

This is one of the most important records of the last 40 years, being the single that brought rap music to the general public. Because of this, and because it’s a brilliant record, it has a place of honour in my collection.