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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Kool DJ Red Alert

After being taught how to spin by his cousin DJ Jazzy Jay and rockin' with Afrika Bambaataa in the late 1970s, Kool DJ Red Alert became a part of hip-hop's official first set of DJs. Red Alert served as head of a radio mix show format, notably showcased in his 11-year deeds with 98.7 KISS FM. Responsible for the radio debut of a haul of hip-hop classics, including, T La Rock’s “It’s Yours” and Boogie Down Production’s “The Bridge Is Over,” Kool DJ Red Alert's influence on hip-hop culture is elite.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Lisa Lee

Bronx-born and raised Lisa Lee is one of hip-hop’s vital female pioneers. Her days of rockin’ the mic at Afrika Bambaataa park jams led to her becoming the original Zulu Queen of the Zulu Nation. Her spits can be heard on the Zulu Nation anthem “Zulu Nation Throwdown.” Lisa Lee is also known to be the first and only female member of the Soulsonic Force, and best recognized for her roles in prime hip-hop films Wild Style and Beat Street. She was also part of the first female cipher, solidifying her legacy as a female MC.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: DJ Jazzy Joyce

In the early stages of hip-hop, the art of DJing was dominated by men. DJ Jazzy Joyce is among the first batch of well-known female disc jockeys in the culture of hip-hop. She was actually the voice of the 1984 Tommy Boy Records hit by G.L.O.B.E & Whiz Kid, "Play That Beat Mr. DJ". Jazzy is best recognized for rockin' the funky beat on Sweet Tee's 1986 single, "It's My Beat". As her cuts embraced Digable Planet's "9th Wonder", DJ Jazzy Joyce is globally respected as an idol of the art of DJing.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Grandmaster Flash

A man whose radical skills in mixing reformed the turntable is, Grandmaster Flash. As the architect of the quick-mix theory, which is the extended play of the breakbeat, Flash's DJ sets are notorious for shaking crowds! His early days playing at house and block parties for big-time house rockers Kurtis Blow and Lovebug Starski led to his most famed act, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five. Flash's impeccable technique for the art of djing has earned him a place in the holy triad of hip-hop.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Legends: Doug E. Fresh

Photo Credit: Ernie Paniccioli

Known as the human beatbox originator, Doug E. Fresh put audiences in awe with his ability to sharply clone drum machines and special effects. With the use of a microphone and his mouth, lips, gums, and throat, Fresh made a grand entrance into hip-hop. As a member of Get Fresh Crew, accompanied by MC Ricky D (Slick Rick), their hit songs “The Show” and “La Di Da Di” became ultimate hip-hop classics. The World's Greatest Entertainer, Doug E. Fresh will always be honored for his unique pioneer skill.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Kool DJ AJ

In the late 70s and early 80s, Kool DJ AJ used to get funky on the turntables for signature emcees Busy Bee and Kurtis Blow. Kool DJ AJ is responsible for exposing Kurtis Blow's "Christmas Rapping" and is behind their international hit, "AJ Scratch". Kool DJ AJ is highly regarded as one of hip-hop culture’s pioneer deejays who mastered the concept behind breaks and scratching. He contributed to the blueprint for the art of djing. Kool DJ AJ’s hip-hop nobility will always be honored.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Lady B

Owning a skill for the art of toasting, Philly’s own Lady B became responsible for the first rap record recorded by a female, 1979’s “To The Beat Y’all.” Recognized as one of the first DJs outside of New York to blast hip-hop, Lady B is monumental to the history of hip-hop radio. Her hit Power99FM radio show, Street Beat introduced many hip-hop class acts the likes of KRS-One, EPMD & Public Enemy to the Philly hip-hop scene. The craft and activism of Lady B uphold the longevity of her legacy.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five

The up-tempo style of Grandmaster Flash and the vocal cadence of Keef Cowboy, Melle Mel, Kidd Creole, Scorpio, and Rahiem was a severe force during hip-hop’s emerging stage in the late 70s. Favored for their South Bronx park jams and enticing live performances, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five gratified crowds with their musical charm. Their 1982 classic “The Message” is one of hip-hop’s most towering songs and brought global eminence to the outlook of hip-hop culture.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Crash Crew

During hip-hop culture's infancy, it was rare to hear the finesse of harmonizing by emcees. As one of hip-hop’s pioneering groups, the legendary Harlem clan Crash Crew were the masters of harmony. With DJ Darryl C on the spins, Reggie Reg, Ek Mike C, Gee Man, Lashubee, and Barry B-Stro made historic melodies. Their classic single “High Powered Rap” is known as one of the greatest hip-hop songs ever made. The chimes of the Crash Crew continue to fill up dance floors to this day.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: DJ Kool Herc

DJ Kool Herc is the man who made the people move. Known for his loud, unique Jamaican sound system and upbeat live parties, Herc was the untouchable DJ. With hard funk and soul records, Herc developed breakbeats by using the dub side of a record, along with a two-turntable setup to lengthen the beat. On August 11, 1973, Herc and his sister Cindy threw a back-to-school bash at their local community center, 1520 Sedgwick Ave in The Bronx. This bash and man aroused the birth of hip-hop. DJ Kool Herc is heralded as the Godfather of Hip-Hop culture.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: The Sequence

Reigning from Sugar Hill records were three young ladies from South Carolina who were on a mission to put their raps on wax. Cheryl the Pearl, Blondy, and Angie B were cheerleaders at their high school and also very close childhood friends who happened to each be one year apart in age, with Angie B being the youngest. With the hype of “Rapper’s Delight” floating all over the nation, there was a Sugarhill gang concert happening in their city of Columbia at the Township Auditorium. These ladies decided to bumrush the concert not only to see the Sugarhill Gang live, but to aim for their chance to prove that they are better than the Sugarhill Gang. These ladies were all primarily singers, but had some rhymes underwraps.

After securing their spot backstage, the ladies bumped into Sugar Hill Records founder Sylvia Robinson. They asked for a chance to show her what they got. Robinson didn't seem too impressed after performing two of their R&B songs. They closed out the audition with their rap song “Funk You Up”; by the time you knew it, they were signed to Sugar Hill Records and became known as The Sequence. The Sequence single, “Funk You Up,” became the first rap record on wax released by a female rap collective. “Funk You Up” also got airplay on top New York radio stations WBLS and WKTU. Not bad for some chicks from South Carolina. The Sequence's success highly influenced the nationwide dynamic of the female Hip-Hop trio.

By Ime Ekpo

From the Old School Hip-Hop Lust article 9 Female Hip-Hop Pioneers You Should Know originally published in 2017

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Chief Rocker Busy Bee

Busy Bee is pictured far right holding a microphone.

In the early days of hip-hop, it was all about who could ROCK the party, and the Chief Rocker Busy Bee had that on lock. Busy Bee’s groovy shout-outs made him the in-demand emcee. He rocked block parties and park jams all over the Bronx with Kool DJ AJ and even emceed Afrika Bambaataa. Busy’s spunk drew large rap battle crowds all over New York City. His vicious battle against Kool Moe Dee became monumental to hip-hop culture. As one of the first solo emcees, Busy Bee’s ability to control the crowd is vintage.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Funky Four Plus One More

Photo Credit: Anthony Barboza

Every weekend in the Boogie Down Bronx, hot spots like T-Connection and The Back Door had a DJ and 5 MCs rockin’ the house. Kk Rockwell, Keith Keith, Lil Rodney C, Jazzy Jeff, Sha Rock & DJ Breakout, known as The Funky 4 Plus 1, had their funky on and on rapping, shaking dance floors. Their 1980 hit song “That’s That Joint” is one of hip-hop’s most essential songs, making them the first hip-hop group to perform on live television. They also featured the first femcee known to the world, MC Sha Rock.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Coke La Rock

Image Credit: Hip-Hop Museum

Known for his stint as the first master of hip-hop ceremonies, Coke La Rock performed the act turned art out of the spirit of having fun. A vital member of the Herculoids as Herc’s right-hand man, La Rock is known for rhyming shoutouts to his homies in the building! He is responsible for the classic phrase “Ya rock, and ya don’t stop” and “Hotel, motel, you don’t tell, we won’t tell,” which was later on used by The Sugarhill Gang. Coke La Rock is respected as a hip-hop pioneer due to his primitive grounding of the MC position.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Grand Wizard Theodore

Photo Credit: Noococ

Blasting records in his bedroom, a young Theodore was asked by his mother to turn down his music. Granting his mom’s wish, Grand Wizard Theodore used his bare hands to stop the record, discovering the sound of the scratch. Using a copy of The Incredible Bong’s “Bongo Rock”, he took it to the park jams of the Bronx to share his discovery and make his mark. Founder of The Fantastic Five and protege of Grandmaster Flash, Grand Wizard Theodore set a trend that will live in hip-hop culture forever.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: MC Pebblee Poo

Starting off as a b-girl in the 70s, MC Pebblee Poo was taught how to rap by music producer Dr.Bomb-Bay who frequently took her to DJ Kool Herc park jams. Poo joined DJ Kool Herc's collective, the Herculords — becoming the hip-hop godfather's first female MC. She is also recognized as one of the first female MC soloists of hip-hop culture. Best known for her role in The Masterdon Committee as their Funkbox hits took off by storm, this femcee's 1985 hit “Fly Guy” became a hip-hop classic. MC Pebblee Poo's contribution to hip-hop holds honor and recognition worldwide. 

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016

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Know Your Hip-Hop Pioneers: Grandmaster Caz

Image Credit: Joe Conzo

Once the declaration of hip-hop was born, known as Casanova Fly to Grandmaster Caz he was the first to conjointly rap and DJ. In the early 1980s, as the leading MC of the Cold Crush Brothers, Grandmaster Caz's lethal rhymes healthily vexed fellow emcees. Their battle against The Fantastic Five in the paramount film Wild Style became a prominent moment for hip-hop culture. Grandmaster Caz became the elite of hip-hop supremacy as his fluid rhymes ended up on Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” without proper accrediting.

By Ime Ekpo

*Originally published in 2016