September 16th, 1979

Hip-hop roots and the debate of which song is the first-ever hit, are common phenomena within the hip-hop community. However, the most recognized “first” hip-hop song has to go to The Sugarhill Gang with their hit single in 1979, “Rapper’s Delight”. Members of this famous trio include Wonder Mike, Master Gee, and Big Bank Hank in which they originated in Englewood, New Jersey in 1973.

Some music critics and historians contend “Rapper’s Delight” wasn’t the first hip-hop/rap song, but merely the first Top 40 hip-hop/rap single. Regardless “Rapper’s Delight” introduced the genre to many people, making the song incredibly important to the foundation of hip-hop history. For me, this song definitely plays a huge role in my love of the genre.

I remember days when my Dad and I would be spring cleaning, windows wide open with a cool breeze coming through, and the music blasting. After we finished listening to “Man in the Mirror” by Michael Jackson for our millionth time, Dad usually played some of his old mixes from when he used to DJ in Erie under the name of DJ Jazzy J (J for Joe). When “Rapper’s Delight” came on, we couldn’t help but to “boogie to the rhythm of the boogie, the beat.” It was moments like this when I knew, I couldn’t escape my passion for hip-hop.

Click here to listen to the first single released on Sugarhill Records on September 16th, 1979: