Who "started" rap music?

[JennyMominRI]

The old musical, The Music Man (1962) has a rap song.

I don't remember the name of it, but it's when a group of men are on a train.

Oh You got trouble My Friends
Right here in River City
With a Capital T and that Rhymes with P and that stands for Pool

 

[Papa Deuce]

I'm going with Kurtis Blow. Or Sugarhill Gang.

 

[Cool-Beans]

The old musical, The Music Man (1962) has a rap song.

I don't remember the name of it, but it's when a group of men are on a train.

I think you're thinking of the Traveling Salesmen. That's the group on the train at the beginning, anyway.

I love The Music Man.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Afrika Bambaataa

To me saying Blondie started rap is like saying Bo Derek started braids.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Having been to Jamaica years ago, I can say with certainty that rap music has some roots in the music from the Islands, such as Reggae.

No one person, or band, just up and came up with a whole new music style. (while many would probably love to take credit)

Anyway, to get to my point... Think "Dayyyy Ohhhh, Day -ayyy Ohhhh, Daylight come and me wanna go home...."

Speaking and telling of story to the beat of a song goes back WAYYY beyond any American Pop Hip-Hop rap band.

 

[Cindy B]

Blondie did that wonderful song Rapture. However, Fab Five Freddy is mentioned in the song Rapture. I would venture to say really old school rap thins such as Fab Five Freddy and such like that. Sugar Hill gang also was influential with Rappers Delight. Sugar Hill gang did some other songs.. but most known (at least in my white suburban circles) for Rappers Delight.

If you ever go to the Rock Hall there was an exhibit about the history of rap. I don't know if that exhibit is still there, but it was an interesting exhibit.

 

[DLBDS]

I have to go with Sugar Hill Gang.

 

[DawnCt1]

As with any kind of music, Dawn, there is some that is bad and some that is good. It may not be your genre, but that doesn't make it horrible. As a whole I'm not a giant fan of rap music, but there are certain songs I enjoy.

I actually liked MC Hammer. It was clean and had more music.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

To me saying Blondie started rap is like saying Bo Derek started braids.

I thought I missed something, kinda thought that was weird too.
I'm more of a rocker.
But I do enjoy some rap.

 

[Galahad]

Oh You got trouble My Friends
Right here in River City
With a Capital T and that Rhymes with P and that stands for Pool

Ah Yes! Good call. I was going to suggest either they guy who did the Beverly Hillbillies song or Jerry Reed.

 

[Galahad]

I think rap is art. I think rap is poetry. I think rap is important. But technically, it isn't actually music. Music requires at least a passing acquaintance with melody.

 

[DawnCt1]

Having been to Jamaica years ago, I can say with certainty that rap music has some roots in the music from the Islands, such as Reggae.

No one person, or band, just up and came up with a whole new music style. (while many would probably love to take credit)

Anyway, to get to my point... Think "Dayyyy Ohhhh, Day -ayyy Ohhhh, Daylight come and me wanna go home...."

Speaking and telling of story to the beat of a song goes back WAYYY beyond any American Pop Hip-Hop rap band.

I absolutely agree but it was more "musical" than what we hear now.

 

[Cindy B]

I think rap is art. I think rap is poetry. I think rap is important. But technically, it isn't actually music. Music requires at least a passing acquaintance with melody.

Yes, you do need a melody for it to be music.

 

[Saffron]

Afrika Bambaataa

To me saying Blondie started rap is like saying Bo Derek started braids.

LOL!

First rap song I remember was from the Temptations back in the early 70's, one of my all time favorite songs I just downloaded on my Ipod this week.

People moving out, people moving in
Why, because of the color of their skin
Run, run, run but you sure can't hide
An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Vote for me and I'll set you free
Rap on, brother, rap on

Well, the only person talking about love thy brother is the preacher
And it seems
Nobody's interested in learning but the teacher
Segregation, determination, demonstration, integration
Aggravation, humiliation, obligation to our nation
Ball of confusion
Oh yeah
That's what the world is today

The sale of pills are at an all time high
Young folks walking round with their heads in the sky
The cities ablaze in the summer time
And oh, the beat goes on

Evolution, revolution, gun control, sound of soul
Shooting rockets to the moon, kids growing up too soon
Politicians say more taxes will solve everything
And the band played on

So, round and around and around we go
Where the world's headed, nobody knows

Oh, great googalooga, can't you hear me talking to you
Just a ball of confusion
Oh yeah, that's what the world is today.

Fear in the air, tension everywhere
Unemployment rising fast, the Beatles new record's a gas
And the only safe place to live is on an Indian reservation
And the band played on.

Eve of destruction, tax deduction
City inspectors, bill collectors
Mod clothes in demand, population out of hand
Suicide, too many bills
Hippies moving to the hills
People all over the world are shouting, 'End the war.'
And the band played on.

Great googalooga, can't you hear me talking to you.
Sayin'... ball of confusion
That's what the world is today, hey, hey.
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Sayin'... ball of confusion
That's what the world is today, hey, hey
Let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya, let me hear ya
Sayin'... ball of confusion

 

[crazyme5kids]

Lou Reed was the original rapper, he even wrote a song about it .

 

[LoraJ]

I love some rap songs and hate others (as with any music genre). I mostly love old school rap from the 80's and love listening to Backspin on Sirius. There are some recent rap songs and artists that I like. I like Kanye West. And I actually enjoy Eminem.

But I definitely remember Rapture.
"rapture, beep your, take a tour, to the shore"
Life was so simple then.

 

[MScott1851]

I have heard people say it was Blondie. I disagree.

Who do you think started it?

You're kidding, right?!?!?! I thought you were a part-time DJ!

DJ Kool Herc, who mentored Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and Fab 5 Freddy were the most notable first names, but basically it started with MC's talking over the "breaks" in songs, being the hype men for DJ's, and it just flowed from there. In the mid seventies was also the first time that DJ's actually started MIXING records, and the "wicky wicky wicky" was born. Not long after, Russell Simmons showed up, and Kurtis Blow and The Sugarhill Gang blow up, too. Treacherous Three, Run DMC, all bad like a mofo. Hahaha!

"Rapture" did mention Fab 5 Freddy,and Grandmaster Flash, but it hardly started rap.

I hereby sentence you to go buy some real vinyl and study up before you ask another question like this.

 

[Papa Deuce]

You're kidding, right?!?!?! I thought you were a part-time DJ!

DJ Kool Herc, who mentored Grandmaster Flash, Afrika Bambaataa and Fab 5 Freddy were the most notable first names, but basically it started with MC's talking over the "breaks" in songs, being the hype men for DJ's, and it just flowed from there. In the mid seventies was also the first time that DJ's actually started MIXING records, and the "wicky wicky wicky" was born. Not long after, Russell Simmons showed up, and Kurtis Blow and The Sugarhill Gang blow up, too. Treacherous Three, Run DMC, all bad like a mofo. Hahaha!

"Rapture" did mention Fab 5 Freddy,and Grandmaster Flash, but it hardly started rap.

I hereby sentence you to go buy some real vinyl and study up before you ask another question like this.

LOL... well, the real DEFINITIVE answer is that there is no answer. And, yes, I know ALL ABOUT those you mentioned. And, no need for vinyl.... you can "scratch" digitally now!

Plus, on top of all that, I am a wedding and corporate DJ..... I play less than 5% rap.

BTW, I specifically in my OP said I didn't think it was Blondie.

 

[MScott1851]

And, no need for vinyl.... you can "scratch" digitally now!
.

Bah! Blasphemy! I'm a purist. Even though the CDJ1000's are sweet, there's nothing like a set of turntables and a mixer in the right hands.

 

[Papa Deuce]

Bah! Blasphemy! I'm a purist. Even though the CDJ1000's are sweet, there's nothing like a set of turntables and a mixer in the right hands.

Well, I will be honest.... my hand are NOT those hands. I have ZERO dsire to scratch anything but my rear end!