Sugarhill Gang

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Members
Wonder Mike (Mike Wright)
Big Bank Hank (Henry Jackson)
Master Gee (Guy O’Brien)
Kory O

The story of the Sugarhill Gang is perhaps one of the most controversial among old school hip hop and hip hop on a whole for that matter.

A woman named Sylvia Robinson, who herself was involved in the music industry, heard this new underground sound called rap and felt that there was market there for the taking.  She began to put together a group to record a rap record.

At the same time, Henry Jackson was a bouncer in club and also a part time hip hop manager.  Henry used to listen to mix tapes of various crews of the time and rap along with the lyrics.  One night Sylvia overheard Henry repeating some rhymes of Grandmaster Caz of the Cold Crush Brothers.  She asked Henry if he was interested in joining a group.

Here’s where the controversy begins.

Instead of revealing the true author of the rhymes, Henry agreed.  He later went to visit Caz who agreed to let Henry use his rhymes.  Caz figured if Henry got hooked up, he was later help Caz and Cold Crush do the same.  Obviously, he never did.

Henry Jackson, now renamed Big Bank Hank, joined Wonder Mike, and Master Gee and formed the Sugarhill Gang.  They went on to record “Rapper’s Delight.”  The song eventually went on to sell over 2 million copies, hit #4 on the R&B chart, and became the highest selling 12 inch single ever.

When the true hip hop crews heard the song on the radio they were stunned. Grandmaster Flash recalls thinking, “Sugarhill who?”  No one knew who this group was, but nevertheless, they broke the sound from the underground and blew it up worldwide.

In an ironic tint to the whole story, check out one of Hank’s rhymes:

“But whatever you do, in your lifetime/
You never let an MC steal your rhymes”

And how about this one:
“I’m the C-A-S-A-N-O-V-A….”  Hank was spelling Caz’s named before he shortened it to just Caz.

The group did record several other singles, none of which approached the success of the original, however, some were successful.  “8th Wonder” reached #15 on the R&B chart.  “Apache” peaked at #13.

Kory O eventually replaced Master Gee.

They released a new album in 1999 entitled “Jump On It.”  But instead of breaking down musical doors, they are doing this one for the children.  The tracks will be aimed at the youth listeners and will include a new version of “Rapper’s Delight” called “It’s Like a Dream Sometimes.

Grandmaster Melle Mel will lend his vocal talents to the project as well.

They will be donating a portion of any money raised to The Boys & Girls Club of America.

The group still tours fairly regularly and can be seen from time to time on various TV specials.

Watch the Video for “Rapper’s Delight”

Back to MC’s Biographies

Author: JohnG

Administrator of OldSchoolHipHop.Com

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2 Comments

  1. I am a friend and am trying to reach Joey Robinson. My C # is: 619-218-3733. Please pass this note on to him. I live in San Diego and have a possible, fantastic young singer for him. I can play it on the cell phone or have my friend play it for him. I moved to a different town (Carmel Valley in S.D.) w/a new phone #. Karen Peppard Caruso Thank You!

  2. Hi

    This message is for Wonder Mike. My name is JoAnn McPherson and I met him years ago in Las Vegas when my daughter Diane Arvizu brought him home for dinner. Unfortunately, I haven’t seen him since then but my family and I never forgot the surprise and pleasure of meeting him. I live in Phoenix Az now but my daughter still lives in Vegas.

    The reason I’m writing is because I would like to ask Mike if he would do me a big favor and surprise my daughter with a call or facebook message tonight or any other time in January. She’s going through some difficult times and hearing from him would be a blessing. Also her birthday is coming up January 24.

    Thank you and God Bless.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Big Bank Hank Dead: Sugar Hill Gang's Henry Jackson Dies In New York - […] The Bronx New York native contributed to many documentaries related to the rap industry and its beginning in the…
  2. MusicNotes from the XPN Morning Show: Rap pioneer from "Sugar Hill Gang" dies, Johnny Marr sings "The Smiths" on Tonight Show, and AC/DC reveals "Play Ball" video from Rock or Bust | The Key - […] Bank Hank was born Henry Jackson and was one third of The Sugar Hill Gang, that also included Wonder…

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