Grandmaster Melle Mel And The Furious Five - Grandmaster Melle Mel & The Furious Five

Advantages: Classic Hip Hop
Disadvantages: Ballards are weak

..."The Message" is the debut EP from one of the legendary Hip Hop group (the first of this genre to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame), Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. The EP came as a result of the popularity of their single "The Message", which went out a very different message from what Hip Hop was about at the time, 1982. The group consists of Grandmaster Flash, the DJ, and the MCs: Melle Mel, Kid Creole, Cowboy (now deceased), Scorpio and Rahiem, who do all of the vocals for the recording. These were some of the pionners in the genre and created staple phrases which were heard during most Hip Hop tracks of the time, and Cowboy of the group is known for inventing the term 'Hip Hop' after immitating the marching of soldiers in a scat style, and prior o this the genre of music was simply called 'Disco Rap'. Had... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Full-length versions of classics, empowering, intelligent, good natured.
Disadvantages: Old School, dumbed down lyrics occasionally, very rough around the edges

...Hip-Hop culture was born in the Ghetto communities to express the experiences of young blacks living with various oppressions, poverty, police harrasment and the fear of crime. In the best hands Hip-Hop has been a very political and revolutionary music, raising its fist against the establishment and coaxing the downtrodden to raise up and fight the system. For me I decided to review the band who did it before anyone else- before Paris, before Krs-One, before Public Enemy, there was Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, back in the early 80's. Da Band In the early 80's, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were one of the first Rap groups to sign a record deal with SugarHill Records. From the New York ghetto, the Rap group was composed of lead rapper Melle Mel, backing rappers Mr. Ness, Cowboy, Kid Creole, Raheim (who... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Comprehensive, diverse, good songs
Disadvantages: Why was Nelly's "Hot in Herre" on this!?

...As a bboy, I pride myself on being a dignitary as well as a student of Hip Hop culture. This 3 CD set is comprised of some of the most influential artists and songs in the history of hip hop. Not all of the songs were Top 40 songs during their time (thus not many people in mainstream culture have heard them), but they were still VERY influential in the underground hip hop movement. Everything from Big Daddy Kane, A Tribe Called Quest, Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel and the Furious 5, Afrika Bambaataa, NaS, N.W.A., The 45 King, O.D.B., etc. are on here. This is an EXCELLENT collection of the songs that were an integral part of spreading the influence of hip hop, changing it's style, and bringing it to its present status. Hip Hop now has become too over-produced and has lost sight of its roots. No longer "dropping knowledge" to educate... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful