THE GREATEST HIP HOP BOOK EVER! YES, YES YA'LL THE ORAL STORY

This is from the book titled “Yes, yes y’all (Oral history of Hip-Hop’s first decade)”. It’s probably the best book of ready about the origins of Hip-Hop. The whole book is basically interviews with people who were around and participated in Hip-Hop during that era. DJs, MCs, B-Boys, Graffiti artists etc…

In the beginning of the book it has a section called “The players”. It gives a brief summary of the people who are in the book. So to give everybody a little Hip-Hop history of those people I’m posting that section.
FROM THE FILES OF HIPHOP-ELEMENTS.COM

As the list of the Players in Hip Hop at the time, there are many names missing who helped Pioneered this Culture in the early days so for more on the TRUE HIP HOP CULTURE Visit http://www.rapamania.com


The players

Afrika Bambaataa- DJ; Known as the "Master Of Records" and the "Godfather" of Hip-Hop, Bambaataa spread Hip-Hop and his own brand of Electro-Funk throughout the world as a DJ and leader of the Soulsonic Force, Cosmic Force and the Zulu Nation.

Afrika Islam- DJ / MC / B-Boy; Right hand man for Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu Nation, known as "Son of Bambaataa." Spread Hip-Hop through the tri-state area through his pioneering Zulu Beats radio show on WHBI.

Alien Ness- B-Boy; Originally named Kid Ness, by Mr. Ness of the Furious 5 and later given the name Alien Ness by Afrika Bambaataa. Member of the New York City Breakers, Rock Steady Crew and early member of Boogie Down Productions.

Arthur Armstrong- Early Hip-Hop promoter and owner of the successful Bronx venues, the Galaxy 2000 and the Ecstasy Garage.

Big Bank Hank- MC; Club bouncer and one-time manager of Grandmaster Caz, recruited by Sylvia Robinson of Sugar Hill Records to be a member of the Sugar Hill Gang.

Bill Adler- Journalist / author / Hip-Hop historian, Cheif publicist for Rush Artists Management. The promotion side of Def Jam Records from 1984 to 1990.

Blade- Early graffiti writer and member of the Crazy 5 graffiti crew. Active throughout the 70's and into the mid 80's. Blade bombed over 5,000 subway cars.

Bobby Robinson- Record label owner / he music industry veteran who made important blues groups and his Enjoy Records label beginning in 1979, including early releases from Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5, the Funky 4+1, Spoonie Gee, and the Treacherous 3.

Bom5- Puerto Rican graffiti writer and B-Boy (cousin of Rock Steady Crew's Crazy Legs) who began hitting tags in the Bronx in the mid 70's as a member of the Savage Skulls and continues to paint today.

Brothers Disco / Funky 4+1- MCs; Developed a large following in the North Bronx toward the late 1970's with DJ's Breakout and Baron, the Funky 4 MCs (later Funk 4+1) and their monster sound system, the Mighty Mighty Sasquatch. Released the hit records "Rappin' and rocking the house" and "That's the joint" for the Enjoy and Sugar Hill labels.

Buddy Esquire- Known as the "King of flyers." from 1978 - 1983 Buddy created hundreds of unique, elegantly styled Hip-Hop flyers.

Burn!- Brooklyn Uprocker and graffiti writer from the late 1970's. He joined Rock Steady Crew in the early 80's.

Busy Bee- MC; Known as an all-around natural entertainer and master of party rhymes, Busy Bee (AKA Chief Rocker Busy Bee Starski), performed as a solo MC and with numerous Hip-Hop groups in the late 70's and early 80's.

Casanova Crew- Security crew of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5 and promoter of Ray Chandler's Back Door Productions. Comprised of former Black Spades gang members and known for being particularly ruthless.

Cey Adams- Graffiti artist from the late 70's and the early 80's. Later a celebrated graphic designer who produced album covers for most of Def Jam's releases, including the Beastie Boys, L.L. Cool J, and Public Enemy.

Charlie Ahearn- Independent New York film maker who wrote, directed and produced "Wild style", a movie that starred many pioneers of the Hip-Hop / graffiti world of the early 1980's.

Charlie Chase- One of the first Latino Hip-Hop DJs. Charlie began as a back up DJ for the disco duo Tom and Jerry, and later founded the Cold Crush Brothers with fellow DJ Tony Tone.

Chris Stein- A founding member of New Wave hit-makers Blondie and early aficionado of the Hip-Hop culture.

Cold Crush Brothers- One of the most popular and original of the early Hip-Hop groups to come out of the Bronx at the end of the 70's. Formed by DJ Tony Tone and DJ Charlie Chase, the Cold Crush Brothers went through numerous MCs before setting on a solid line up based around Grandmaster Caz.

Cowboy- First MC for Grandmaster Flash, known for his ability to pump up the crowd with call-and-response rhymes like "Everybody say ho!" He passed away 1989 after several years of crack cocaine abuse.

Crash Crew- Along with the Treacherous 3 and the Fearless 4, one of the most predominant of the Harlem Crews. Led by MC Reggie Reg and known for their rapping skill as well as their vocal harmonies, the Crash Crew self-released "High powered rap" in 1980 and later signed with Sugarhill Records.

Crazy Legs- B-Boy credit with reviving the dying art of B-Boy-ing and spreading its popularity nationally and internationally. Crazy Legs was invited to join the Rock Steady Crew in 1979 by founders JoJo and Jimmy D and later became president of the organization and its most predominant members.

Disco King Mario- Pioneering mid 70's DJ known for his powerful sound system.

Disco Wiz- Latino DJ briefly known as DJ Louie Lou. Wiz worked with Grandmaster Caz. Then known as DJ Casanova Fly throughout the mid to late 70's.

DJ Baron- Founded the Brothers Disco with DJ Breakout in the mid 70's. Along with MCs the Funky 4+1, they ruled the North Bronx. Known for his disco beats and his ability to catch the beat with out flaw.

DJ Breakout- Cofounder of the Brothers Disco / Funky 4+1, named for his B-Boy skills. Brother of Brothers Disco promoter / manager Jazzy Dee.

DJ Holly wood- DJ in the Harlem club scene from the early 70's, Hollywood was a major influence on the street-based DJs who would take over the scene in the late 70's. Known as the first live DJ to say rhymes over the beats.

DLB- AKA : Microphone Wizard, for the Fearless 4, a popular Harlem based crew.

D.M.C.- Formed Run-D.M.C. with Run and Jam Master Jay in the early 80's.

Dota Rock- MC with Grand Wizard Theodore and the Fantastic 5. Dota Rock first worked with Grandmaster Caz's Mighty Force, split off with MC Whipper Whip to from the Salt and Pepper MCs, and was an early member of the Cold Crush Brothers.

Dr. Dre- DJ best known as the cohost, with Ed Lover of Yo! MTV Raps.

Easy AD- MC for the Cold Crush Brothers.

Ecstasy- MC for the popular early 80's group Whodini.

Eddie Cheba- Popular mid 70's disco DJ/MC, known throughout the club circuit.

Fab 5 Freddy- Helped create the Hip-Hop classic film “Wild Style” and was later the first host of Yo! MTV Raps. A Hip-Hop renaissance man who helped bring graffiti and Hip-Hop culture to the downtown art scene.

Fantasic 5- Grand Wizard Theodore's MC crew. Formed in 1980 by Theodore after he left the L Brothers, the group quickly became one of the most popular acts of the period, developing an ongoing rivalry with the Cold Crush Brothers that only heightened their popularity.

Fearless 4- Protégés of the Treacherous 3 and one of the top Harlem crews in the mid 80's. The first Hip-Hop grouped signed to a major label Elektra in 1983, they recorded popular hit such as "It's magic", "Rockin' it", and "Problems of the world today".

Flip Rock- West Side Manhattan B-Boy known for his unique flipping dance style. Joined the Rock Steady Crew and later became part of the New York City Breakers.

Frosty Freeze- Legendary B-Boy, in the early 80's became co-vice president (with Ken Swift) of the Rock Steady Crew. Known for his freezes and unique moves like the Suicide.

Furious 5- Grandmaster Flash's MC crew, the Furious 5 ruled the early 80's Hip-Hop scene. With Grandmaster Flash's talent on the turntables and lead MC Melle Mel's unbeatable rhymes, the group became the most popular and recognizable group from Hip-Hop's old school period, producing a string of hits, including "Freedom", "The message", and "White lines."

G.L.O.B.E.- MC in Afrika Bambaataa's revolving Soulsonic. Wrote lyrics to hits "Planet Rock", "Looking for the perfect beat", and "Renegades of funk." and later joined with DJ Whiz Kid to record "Play that beat Mr. DJ."

Grand Wizard Theodore- Pioneering DJ who perfected the art of needle dropping and invented scratching. Performed in the L Brothers with his older sibling Mean Gene and Cordie-O, and later formed Grand Wizard Theodore and the Fantastic 5.

Grandmaster Flash- One of the founding fathers of Hip-Hop and a DJ innovator. The first DJ to master cutting the break beat on a record back and forth, as well as cueing through headphones. With the Furious 5, became one of the most important acts in Hip-Hop.

Grandmixer D.S.T.- One of Afrika Bambaataa's Zulu Nation DJs, well known for his ability to DJ and B-Boy at the same time and later reowned for his scratching skills on Herbie Handcock's hit "Rockit".

Henry Chalfant- Photographer who chronicled graffiti art on the streets and trains of New York City and produced several influential documents about the art form, including the book "Subway art" (with Martha Cooper) and documentary "Style Wars" (with Tony Silver).

Jalil- MC for Whodini. Worked closely with WHBI radio jock Mr. Magic and recruited Ecstasy to form Whodini and record their first hit, "Magic's wand."

Jazzy Dee- Older brother of DJ Breakout and the manager / promoter of the Brothers Disco / Funky 4+1, Organizer of the Brothers Disco. Sisters Disco security crew, and owner of the group's sound system, the Mighty Mighty Sasquatch.

Jazzy Jeff- First MC-ed for the Magnificent 7 with Lil' Rodney Cee, then joined the Brothers Disco / Funky 4+1. Later went solo with "King Heroin (Don't mess with Heroin)" on Jive Records.

JoJo- Early B-Boy who founded the Rock Steady Crew with Jimmy D.

Joey Robinson Jr.- Son of Sugarhill Records founders Sylvia Robinson and Joe Robinson Sr. Initiated the formation of Hip-Hop's first hit makers, the Sugar Hill Gang, of which he later became a member.

K.K. Rockwell- The first MC for DJ Breakout and DJ Baron's Brothers Disco / Funky 4+1. Later joined fellow Funky 4 member Lil' Rodney Cee and formed Double Trouble.

Kevie Kev- With his brother Master Rob, the original MCs for the L Brothers. Stayed with the L Brother Theodore and formed Grand Wizard Theodore and the Fantastic 5.

Kid Creole- One of the first MCs for Grandmaster Flash, known for his never-ending rhymes and his use of the echo box. Along with his younger brother Melvin (AKA: Melle Mel), they formed the foundation of the Furious 5.

Kool DJ AJ- Early Hip-Hop DJ and promoter who worked the MCs Busy Bee, Love Bug Starski, and Kurtis Blow, whose 1984 single, "AJ Scratch" was dedicated to the DJ.

Kool Herc- Jamaican born DK known as the "Father of Hip-Hop" credited for coining the term "B-Boy", and the first DJ to extend the break beat on a record. Most of the superstars coming out of the Hip-Hop scene in the late 70's and early 80's first experienced Hip-Hop culture at a Kool Herc jam.

Kool Lady Blue- London born promoter and one time manager for the Rock Steady Crew who, along with Michael Holman, was instrumental in bringing Hip-Hop to downtown Manhattan clubs Negril and the Roxy.

Kool Moe Dee- MC for the Treacherous 3 who invented the speed rap style of rhyming. Known as the MC par excellence, illustrated by his infamous battle with Busy Bee. Later in the 80's had a very successful solo career.

Kurtis Blow- DJ/B-Boy who worked as an MC with Grandmaster Flash and was managed by future Def Jam head, Russell Simmons. Kurtis Blow was the first solo Hip-Hop artist to sign to a major label, Mercury in 1980, and released Hip-Hop's first gold record, "The breaks".

L Brothers- Popular Bronx crew from the late 70's comprised of the Livingston Brothers, Mean Gene, Cordie-O and Theodore. Later Theodore split off from the group, taking the MC brothers Kevie Kev and Master Rob with him to form Grand Wizard Theodore and the Fantastic 5.

L.A. Sunshine- Along with Kool Moe Dee and Special K, for the Treacherous 3, one of the most popular groups to come out of Manhattan in the late 70's.

Lee- Graffiti artist with the Fabulous 5 crew, known for his spectacular whole car pieces. By the late 70's his work was in galleries across the U.S. and Europe. Starred in Wild Style.

Lil' Rodney Cee- MC who along with Jazzy Jeff joined the Brothers Disco / Funky 4 following original member Rahiem's departure and promoting the name change to Funky 4+1. Left the group along with K.K. Rockwell in the early 80's formed Double Trouble.

L.L. Cool J- MC signed to the fledging Def Jam label in 1984 at age 16. L.L.'s first record,
"I need a beat", cemented Def Jam's status as a serious Hip-Hop label and catapulted L.L. Cool J into superstardom.

Love Bug Starski- DJ/MC who began his career working with Pete DJ Jones. As a DJ, MC, or both, he worked every club in the scene and became house DJ at clubs like Disco Fever, Harlem World, and the Renaissance.

Lucky Strike- Former member of the Savage Skulls in the Bronx who joined the Zulu Kings B-Boy crew and became very active in Afrika Bambaataa's Zulu Nation.

Martha Cooper- Photojournalist who chronicled graffiti and B-Boy culture in the late 70's and early 80's. Published the first known photographs of B-Boys and authored, with photographer Henry Chalfant, the seminal document of graffiti culture, Subway art.

Mean Gene- Early collaborator with Grandmaster Flash and the leader of the L Brothers. Formed a group under his own name following brother Theodore's departure.

Melle Mel- Lead MC for Grandmaster Flash and Furious 5 and major lyricist of many of their hits, including “The message” and “White lines (don’t do it).” One of the most respected MCs in Hip-Hop with unparalleled lyrical ability.

Peanut- Respected member of promoter Ray Chandler’s Casanova Crew security team. Murdered during an argument while working security at the Black Door.

Pee Wee Dance- Early B-Boy who frequented Kool Herc and Bambaataa parties. Later joined the Zulu Kings and the Rock Steady Crew.

Pete DJ Jones- One of the top black disco DJs in the New York in the early 70’s. A major influence on the DJs who would come up in the mid 70’s.

Phase 2- Pioneer graffiti artist from the early 70’s onward and key figure in the development of graffiti as an art form throughout the 70’s and 80’s. He was also known for his DJ skills and the hundreds of flyers that he produced for the Hip-Hop scene during that period.

Pistol- One of the graffiti artists on the scene. Contemporary of innovators Blade and Phase 2. First artist credited with a 3-D piece.

Popmaster Rebel- B-Boy with the Magnificent Force who joined the Rock Steady Crew in the early 80’s. A renowned choreographer, teacher, and Hip-Hop historian.

Rahiem- MC of the Brothers Disco / Funky 4 who left the group to join Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5. Known for his amiable personality and his excellent singing voice.

Ray Chandler- Pioneering Hip-Hop promoter who ran the Black Door Club / Black Door Productions and booked Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5. Known for his imposing stature, no-nonsense attitude, and his hiring of the notorious Casanova Crew as his security.

Reggie Reg- Lead MC for Harlem group the Crash Crew, which became popular in the early 80’s.

Richard Sisco- First MC to perform with Charlie Chase and what would become the Cold Crush Brothers. Produced many flyers for Hip-Hop jams in the late 70’s and early 80’s and briefly teamed up with DJ Wanda Dee.

Rick Rubin- Cofounder with Russell Simmons of Def Jam. Responsible for launching the careers of countless Hip-Hop acts, including Run-D.M.C., L.L. Cool J, the Beastie Boys, and Public Enemy.

Robert Ford & J.B. Moore- Music journalists for Billboard magazine in the late 70’s who documented the Hip-Hop scene and later collaborated with Russell Simmons on the lyrics for Kurtis Blow’s smash hits “Christmas rappin’” and “The breaks”.

Rock Steady Crew- Legendary B-Boy organization founded in 1977 by JoJo and Jimmy D. Revived by Crazy Legs at the beginning of the 80’s, the Rock Steady were instrumental in popularizing B-Boying worldwide.

Run-D.M.C.- Multi-platinum Hip-Hop act from Hollis, Queens, consisting of MCs Run (brother of Russell Simmons), D.M.C., and DJ Jam Master Jay. Their rise to superstardom coincided with the decline of the original Bronx-based Hip-Hop culture.

Russell Simmons- Cofounder with Rick Rubin of Def Jam. The quintessential Hip-Hop entrepreneur, Simmons was responsible for launching the careers of most of the big Hip-Hop acts of the 80’s including Kurtis Blow, Run-D.M.C., L.L. Cool J, the Beastie Boys, and Public Enemy.

Sal Abbatiello- Disco Fever club owner active in Bronx civic culture. Abbatiello and the Disco Fever were featured in the classic Hip-Hop film Krush Groove.

Sequence- First all-female Hip-Hop recording artists, with members Cheryl the Pearl, Blondie, and Angie B. Formed in 1978, they released several hits for Sugarhill Records, including 1980’s “Funk you up.”

Sha-Rock- The most celebrated old school female MC and “+1” with the Funky 4+1, Sha Rock inspired a whole generation of female MCs and later formed Us Girls with Debbie Dee and Cosmic Force member Lisa Lee.

Soulsonic Force / Cosmic Force- Afrika Bambaataa’s revolving member, Parliament/Funkadelic-inspired Zulu Nation crews, who produced hits such as, “Zulu Nation throwdown.”, “Planet Rock”, “Looking for the perfect beat”, and “Renegades of funk”.

Special K- MC for the Treacherous 3, along with Kool Moe Dee and L.A. Sunshine.

Spoonie Gee- Nephew of Enjoy Records owner Bobby Robinson, and an original member of the Treacherous 3, known for his sexually themed hits, “Love rap”, and “Spoonin’ rap.”

Sugar Hill Gang- Hip-Hop act put together by Sugarhill Records owner Sylvia Robinson and son Joey Robinson who produced, in 1979, the genre’s first hit record, “Rapper’s delight”.

Sylvia Robinson- Owner, with husband Joe Robinson, of Hip-Hop’s first big label, Sugarhill Records, they company responsible for the Sugar Hill Gang’s “Rapper’s delight”, and for launching the careers of many of the acts from the late 70’s and early 80’s Hip-Hop scene.

Tony Tone- Sound man for DJ Breakout and the Brothers Disco who, as a DJ paired up with DJ Charlie Chase and formed the Cold Crush Brothers.

Treacherous 3- The most popular of the Manhattan-based groups from 1979 through early ‘80’s producing hits for Enjoy and Sugarhill Records, such as “New rap language”, which featured the speed-rapping of MC Kool Moe Dee, “The body rock”, and “Feel the heartbeat”.

Van Silk- Hip-Hop promoter and manager from the late 70’s to mid 80’s, later produced the first pay-per-view Hip-Hop programs such as ”Sisters in the name of Rap” and “Rapmania”.

Wanda Dee- One of the first female DJ’s on the Hip-Hop scene in the early 80’s.

Whipper Whip- MC who began hit career with Grandmaster Caz, formed the Salt and Pepper MCs with Dota Rock, was briefly a member of the Cold Crush Brothers, and then joined Grand Wizard Theodore’s Fantastic 5.

Wonder Mike- MC with Sugar Hill Gang whose voice introduced the first Hip-Hop hit, “Rappers delight.”