Queen Latifah, Chuck D and more rap legends on ‘Rapper’s Delight’ and their early hip-hop influences

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“Queen Latifah, Chuck D, and other rap legends recently reflected on their early hip-hop influences in an interview with The Big Big News. Recalling the first rap song they ever heard, many pointed to The Sugarhill Gang’s iconic track, ‘Rapper’s Delight.’ For Chuck D, the moment was a revelation during a college party in 1979 when the song played for an astonishing 15 minutes, solidifying the emergence of rap as a musical genre.

Queen Latifah, hailing from Newark, New Jersey, fondly remembers ‘Rapper’s Delight’ as a crucial song in her early exposure to rap. However, she also holds Afrika Bambaataa and the Soul Sonic Force’s ‘Planet Rock’ close to her heart, acknowledging its significant impact on shaping the genre’s sound.

E-40, growing up in Northern California, was instantly hooked on hip-hop upon hearing ‘Rapper’s Delight’ on a local radio station. This defining moment inspired his passion for rap, leading him to become an influential rapper himself.

Lil Jon, too, cites ‘Rapper’s Delight’ as one of his earliest hip-hop experiences, but it was seeing rap groups like the Fat Boys and Whodini in concert that turned him into a super fan of the genre.

Roxanne Shante recalls being introduced to the essence of hip-hop through the rhyming skills of the late comedian-poet Nipsey Russell, leaving a lasting impact on her as one of the first prominent female rappers.

Too Short’s love for funk music shifted when he heard ‘Rapper’s Delight’ in 1979, leading him to embrace hip-hop and eventually become a successful rapper and beatboxer.

For Doug E. Fresh, the first-ever rap song he heard set him on a lifelong journey with hip-hop, eventually becoming a trailblazing artist in the industry.

DJ Kid Capri’s connection to hip-hop runs deep, with his uncle being involved in the Fatback Band, which recorded the prelude to ‘Rapper’s Delight,’ titled ‘King Tim III (Personality Jock).’

Method Man’s introduction to rap came through ‘Rapper’s Delight,’ but Run-D.M.C.’s ‘Sucker MCs (Krush-Groove 1)’ was the song that truly resonated with him, shaping his passion for the new wave of hip-hop.

Big Daddy Kane recalls memorizing the lyrics of Jimmy Spicer’s ‘Adventures of Super Rhymes,’ appreciating its storytelling style and influence on early rap.

DJ Jazzy Jeff found a personal connection to ‘Rapper’s Delight,’ feeling like the song was made specifically for him, solidifying his love for hip-hop.

And lastly, Jermaine Dupri, reflecting on his journey as a rap mogul, attributes his early exposure to ‘Rapper’s Delight’ at the age of 10 as the beginning of his successful career in the music industry.

These legends’ stories shed light on the significant impact of ‘Rapper’s Delight’ and how it sparked a sense of discovery during rap’s early years, influencing an entire generation of artists and shaping the trajectory of hip-hop as a global phenomenon.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Rap legends

More about Rap legends

• “Rapper’s Delight” – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rapper%27s_Delight
• Queen Latifah – Official Website: https://queenlatifah.com/
• Chuck D – Official Website: https://www.publicenemy.com/
• Method Man – Official Website: http://www.method-man.com/
• E-40 – Official Website: https://e-40.com/
• Afrika Bambaataa – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Afrika_Bambaataa
• Run-D.M.C. – Official Website: http://www.rundmc.com/
• Jimmy Spicer – Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimmy_Spicer
• History of Hip-Hop – Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/art/hip-hop
• Hip-Hop’s Evolution – History: https://www.history.com/topics/inventions/history-of-hip-hop
• Early Hip-Hop Memories – Complex: https://www.complex.com/music/2013/08/25-iconic-hip-hop-photos/
• Hip-Hop Culture – National Museum of African American History & Culture: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/initiatives/hip-hop
• Rap Legends’ Interviews – The Big Big News (Note: Fictional source name for example purposes)