CHICKEN FRIED RAP (Early 80's Pioneering Country/Rap Sure-shots)

Whats up yall I'm back for a few entries and then time to dip back off, as always if any of my friends have specific record requests, if you would like to share or trade classics with me, please feel free to use the AUDIOMACK Share Widget on the right to share a classic with your friend here. I will see it and thank you gladly, or email me requests for specific things and if I have it or can obtain it, its yours. As always all songs appearing in this blog are from my personal collection either from Vinyl or from hardcore online digging of digital files already online, then, Uploaded onto the world wide web for promotion. Nothing is sold, only shared.

Ok in this entry we have some of Hip Hop Musics very first ever jabs at fusing Country rhythms and Rap. A lot of people start around 1985 with Shawn Browns DA HA DA Ha or in 86' with KOOL MOE DEE's WILD WILD WEST. But actually before those two songs there was an oldschool rap crew called the DISCO FOUR, who Dropped a record called "COUNTRY ROCK & RAP" I'm sure if you were a teenager in the early 80's you may remember the Disco Four & perhaps this song, especially living in NYC During the explosion of Hip Hop culture, you DEFINITELY REMEMBER THIS. Country Rock & Rap takes portions from the famous 70's break beat "BLACK GRASS" By bad Bascomb (A Black, Country/Blue Grass Band) and this was a staple in all of the early Hip Hop DJ's crates because of that B-boy breakdown. Country Rock & Rap came out in 1982 on Enjoy Records. The Disco Four were from HARLEM U.S.A and were actually 5 MC's and 2 DJ's consisting of MR. TROY, COUNTRY, COOL  G, GREG G, And RONNIE D and DJ's AL-B & B-FATS. B-Fats went on to do the famous dance record WOP IT, Which promoted the popular dance at the time the WOP. This was around 1986. Anyway, here are 3 of Hip Hops 1st Country Rap records. The song features the Banjo Melody of Black Grass with a Disco/Rap Breakdown played/Produced by Early Enjoy Records in-house Rap Producer/Percussionist "PUMPKIN" King Of The Beats. It is IMHO and to my knowledge The earliest Rap song that infused country-like vibes, references, or innuendos. And these very songs made way for people like Kid Rock, The Nappy Roots, Nelly's Country Grammer, And in 2019 LIL NAS X Who just dropped that joint called OLD TOWN ROAD. So below I have included all three of those ground-breakers mentioned above plus a surprise



DISCO FOUR - COUNTRY ROCK & RAP (1982)







SHAWN BROWN (RAPPIN' DUKE) - DA HA DA HA









KOOL MOE DEE - WILD WILD WEST



"And now for the closer" Super Rare Gem. Country Singers THE BELLAMY BROTHERS drop this song in 1986 titled "Country Rap" a humble nod to Hip Hop Rap music. Pretty cool. Its technically not Hip Hop, it is a country record in all respects, but, they pay homage by rhyming some verses (Many country songs do this anyway) But for the fact that the record it titled COUNTRY RAP lets you know, these Guys were helping to Pioneer something!!

THE MICRONAWTS "LETZMURPH ACROSSDASURF" (I CAN DO IT...YOU CAN DO IT")

Hows this one for the poppers and Bboys, rare jewelry, MICRONAWTS, Not much known about this records background, but SYNTH ELECTRO all the way. Its another one fo those songs, hyping up the then SMURF Dance which was popular back when; well the Smurfs first came out, so that's 1981, and a dance attached to that lasted a few years as a fad dance much like everything else. The SMURF Craze and the dance itself went on to spawn several other titles of songs that clutched onto the fad, including SPYDER D's "Smerphies dance" (also in 82) and "The Smurfs "Smurf For What Its Worth" On Celluloid Records, and then there was that novelty corny one, PAPPA SMERF Song. It features the chipmunk style voices similar to Smurf vocals on it. A little back ground info about this and other releases having to do with the Popular Smurf craze is this: The whole Smurph craze was started by TYRONE BRUNSON, Who after playing in a few funk bands in D.C. Released "The Smurph" An Electro-Funk Instrumental Track with a dope Bass Line, that B-boys and More-so Poppers gravitated too it immediately. It reached #54 on the UK Charts. Anyway this was one of the serious of the serious joints at the NY Club party's. LETZMURPH ACROSSDASURF!! On Tuff city Records 1982





Facts: The reason for the misspelling of the word "SMURPH" in the various titles of songs, Is because once Tyrone Brunson released that fist song titled "The Smurph", the makers of the actual Smurph Cartoon, saw this and weren't too happy. And a complaint was made. In order to avoid lawsuits everyone began to releasing songs with off-spelled versions of the name "ZMURPH"" "SMERF" SMIRF" and the alike.

THE RUSSELL BROTHERS "THE PARTY SCENE"

This one right here, another party get up and go!! Russell Brothers with the Party scene, a lively electro- Hip Hop, Synth bassy joint. ROBOT, ELECTRIC BOOGIE!! First heard this one?? Me myself, Yet again on an old school mix tape, and was mixed In between KID NICE "I WANT YOU TO LIKE IT" And DONALD D "Don's Groove" and the DJ was on point too. One of those records that probably did not make it big outside of NY, Or Miami and places like that so only DJ's who have been spinning for years, or Hip Hop people who were really in the scene back in the day probably would remember this one. 1983 On Portrait Records

TC & THE DANGEROUS THREE "YOU CAN DO IT"

It's so cool to share these kinds of records, because the lyrical content, the beats and the overall delivery is timeless and classic especially as far back as thees songs go in Hip Hop. TC & THE DANGEROUS THREE Deliver some clever word play over an 80's Synth funky Electronic beat, and the subject matter ranges from uniting for change, Bible Prophecy, Civil Rights Causes, joblessness, societal woes, crime, politics, ambition and being your best with what you have. 1984 On TRI SAN RECORDS. Little is known about this song, I had it on a cassette mix tape back in day; MR. MAGIC RAP ATTACK RADIO SHOW FROM 84. Magic mixed an eclectic blend of Hip hop & Electro jams from 1983 and 84 including this one, MALCOLM X "NO SELLOUT" SPYDER C" UNITY IN THE PLACE TO BE" And a bunch of others: that's how I first encountered this song. Still trying to get the INSTRUMENTAL as I do not have this on vinyl. If you have it drop me a line.

SPYDER C "UNITY IN THE PLACE TO BE" (Rare gem)

More Social Rap in the music please! SPYDER C, Comes through with this one in 1983, UNITY IN THE PLACE TO BE. Addressing our world problems of peace, war and crime. The beat is sure enough to shake any crowd if you were partying three and a half decades ago and even the most purists of the culture will surely appreciate this one right now, as our issues in society have not changed and it seems, that the stuff these guys were rapping about in the early 80's are almost prophetic right now. I listen to a lot of these songs, and the very things being addressed can in every way apply. And what you might not know is, SPYDER C Is SPYDER D's Younger Brother! WEST END Records was the home, and also you may want to check out "HOLLIS ROCK" For the B-Side

RON HUNT "SPIDER"

This one goes back to 1981, my man RON HUNT with SPIDER, A dope Disco rap banger, this is when in my opinion the sound of Hip Hop music was sort of in between the disco faze of its short span of time and crossing over to acquiring its own identity as the Hip Hop sound we come to know. With the electronic claps, hi hats, 808 bells, and such. Female chorus vocals always do great on these types of songs. RON HUNT has the sound of a Count Coolout or a Doctor Ice (Not the UTFO Dr. Ice The Earlier guy) Or a Dr. Jeckyl & Mr. Hyde. This may of been 808 Or LINN Sound I'm not sure. Girls singing on the hook, cool claps, Slap bass, a definite party sure shot for the summer of 81

RHYTHM MAKERS LTD. "PARTY RAP" (Rarety)

This has always been one of my fav jams to just vibe too, the RHYTHM MAKERS were I believe Two or three MC's: Kid Finesse, Sir Master Ice & Kwame (One was the DJ), If I am going off of my Decent memory no google. This joint dropped in 1983 and is just what it is, a party rap record, the beat is hitting, for the dancers and all party people from all walks of life. Fuzzy bass loop, Sizzling synth sounds, dope drums and scratches to cap it off, plus RHYTHM MAKERS come through with some witty rhymes about the party life. You will not hear this at your conventional old school throwback party, not even on most current running Classic Hip Hop radio shows but my original heads recall it. I personally didn't hear this at any Hip Hop jams growing up in NYC, But I heard it on an old mix tape I had from 1984. Don't know how big this record was in NYC, I am guessing it made a considerable impact. Again this is old school Archives: were we give you the rare gems, the sought afters, the hard to finds. Star-Vision Intl was the label. And I do have the instrumental upon request!!

JUST FOUR "GAMES OF LIFE" (Dope Social, Conscience" Early Hip Hop Jam)

"Games of life", what does it entail for you? The Just Four go onto pinpoint what most of us struggle with. I love the early social Hip Hop records, because face it not everything is about Partying or how bad you are on the Mic. We need to ponder these issues, no glorifying drugs, guns, and dishonest living. This of course released on the coat tails Or about the same time as The Furious Fives "The Message" or CD III "Get Tough" or even "Grandmixer DST "Automatic Push Button" in 1982 which all tackled these plights we deal with. Song features a Cool Synth pattern (Reminds me of CRASH CREW'S Breaking bells, or Doug E Fresh Human Beatbox), and those Hip Hop kicks and claps of re-known. IMHO These guys are very underrated for an early group. Probably because the record isn't known as well as it should of been. But to the purist, the Old school DJ's and the dancers. IT IS LIFE. Just Four released a few other not widely known titles, Those titles escape me at the moment, but I will put up their other releases soon. This Joint Released on EXPRESS Records, You need this in your collection!!

DISCO 3 (FAT BOYS) "REALITY"

Before the Fat Boys were well, "The Fat Boys" The released this record as the Disco three and you can still hear them refer to this name a few times when they broke out as the Fatboys, like in the song "In Jail" anyhow this is an early street street hit in 1983, On Sutra records (And Buddah records a subsidiary) where they would go on to release some more records. What I like about this record is they are talking some real street stuff, but in a positive direction, and addressing issues concerning the plight of inner city living, so this is in a much different direction than their usual topics about food, getting into trouble, Fatboy folly and foolishness. Buffy polishes the song off with his signature beatbox which further gives it that early 80's street rap sound. The claps are very similar to RUN DMC's Sucker MC's. I wonder if its the same producers. WE ALL GOTTA FACE REALITY, A worthwhile message.





"I Do have the instrumental and can get that out upon request"

DJ MAGIC RAY & THE UNDEFEATED THREE "UNITY RAP" Dope Jam

DJ MAGIC RAY & The Undefeated Three come through on the clutch with this street release, on Apexton in 1982 & then Tuff City Records 1995. More street rhymes, describing life and unity. Bassy sounds, 80's' synth style sounds, digital & spacey sounds. Post Disco Rap.

CUTMASTER D.C. " THAT'S LIFE" (First Recognized Release 1983)

Cutmaster DC With "THAT'S LIFE" On Airport Records 1983
Cutmatser D.C. Is From Brooklyn NY and had his borough on smash as both a DJ & MC, And this record is his first recognized release. Funky 808 Claps, a cool bass line and reality raps by D.C.. Once D.C. Is comfortable and able to stand on the label's couches, he goes onto release songs like "Brooklyn's in the house" & "Brooklyn rocks the best" the early call outs to his beloved borough and cementing BK as one of the earliest BK Rappers on wax. Those records found on ZAKIA Records plus many other singles to follow afterwards.

VAUGHN MASON "BREAKERS ANTHEM" (1981, Rare B-BOY ANTHEM, DISCO Skate Gem)

VAUGHN MASON Is without a doubt best known for "Bounce Rock Skate" the disco and roller skate disco craze jam of 1979, however in 1981, He and a band got in on the new sensation of Breakin' and Hip Hop and decided to release a record in ode to the The funky fresh new dance phenomenon BREAKIN', and its practitioners"THE B-BOYS" This one with the band KRUSH on Funky Feet Records out of New Jersey. I may of actually uploaded this a few years ago maybe under a crate of other records or maybe by itself, but here it is again. It sounds strikingly similar to Bounce, Rock, Skate and can be quickly confused with it when heard. There is no rapping on here, Vaughn Mason is doing his usual Singing and Guitar riffing. Its an Anthem and retains that prestige. I like the Hip Hop feel, but still retains its Disco aesthetic with the guitars and drum assembly. Real FUNKY FRESH!!

The B-Side features a song called "Electric Body"

BUSY BEE "SCHOOL DAYS"

Busy Bee the Chief Rocker Crowd Pleaser with "SCHOOL DAYS" From 1981 on Lawton Records. Master Five. It's Got that KURTIS BLOW "HARD TIMES" Sound to it. STAY IN SCHOOL FOLKS!!

HARLEM WORLD CREW "RAPPERS CONVENTION" (B-Side Rare Version) 1980

I'm sure many of you have this record, but whats interesting about Harlem World is, they only released about 3 or 4 records, I thought they were a solide crew that could of done more, but given the state of how producers and Labels handled Hip Hop acts back then, They seem to have been shoved right along, Maybe they didn't make the transition out of the Disco Rap phase intot he more seminal sound of Hip Hop music coming in around the drum sequencer days, 1982, 83. Ohh I might mention this one I decided to share is the B-SIDE Version which includes verses by SON OF SAM & CHARLY ROCK. Which the A side, I did not have a picture of the vinyl of the B-Side so I am just showing the A-Side. The Harlem World crew were everybit involved witht he actual club of the same name and were regular performing artists there, manager, DJs and promoters. Harlem world crew is

• MC Charlie Rock (Charles Leake)
• MC Son of Sam (Sam Blocker)
• DJ Randy (Randy Sanders)
• DJ Kool D (Darryl Brown)
• Dr. Jeckyll (Andre Harrell)
• Mr. Hyde (Alonzo Brown)
• DJ Ronnie Green (unofficial member)

And there was a Female MC Named "MC SMILEY" Whom I am guessing was also an unnofficial member as well. She was featured on the song "Love Rap" which I will upload soon.

The original members of the Harlem World Crew were Charlie Rock (Charles Leake), Son of Sam(Sam Blocker), DJ Randy (Randy Sanders), and DJ Kool D (Darryl Brown).

Jeckyl &; Hyde were members for the for the Tayster Record label, but not for the club harlem World.

DJ Ronnie Green was never an official member of the HWC, but he was a very close friend of all of them.

Their first records include “Doin the Do”, “Rapper’s Convention” and “Love Rap” all recorded on Tayster in 1980.

The original members of HWC remain together until the club closed in 1985.
(Credits for this History go to www.Oldschoolhiphop.com)

SPANISH FLY & THE TERRIBLE TWO - 'SPANGLISH" (Early Bilingual Spanish-English Hip Hop)

Now we all tend to talk about "DISCO DREAMS" MEAN MACHINE" As the very first Bilingual Hip Hop rap record and it probably is, but no one ever mentions SPANISH FLY & THE TERRIBLE TWO" This two included some trade off between Spanish and English lyrics, There were three MC's and one was a girl, Probably Spanish fly. I Have to talk  to my pioneer friends more about the info around this record and its artists. But this song no doubt made the Bilingual party people in the place at NYC Hip Hop underground parties very happy, and they were doing their thing on the rap tip, this is not a novelty record (at least in my opinion) it was actually played by some of Hip Hops very early DJ's as a party sure-shot. Its popularity?? I don't know, I'm guessing it was/is not a well known record outside of NYC. But non he less a classic jointskee, Listen to it and peep the early Latin Flava infused in Black American Music Like Hip Hop..

Sidenote: Oh and released On Enjoy records, music direction with Bobby Robinson, and PUMPKIN Hip Hops foremost celebrated Drummer and music arranger for Enjoy, Profile, Sugar-hill records.

TJ SWANN & COMPANY "GET FLY" (DISCO RAP SURE SHOT 1981)

TJ WANN (Not to be confused with the other TJ Swann of later) was a member of the early rap group "TJ SWANN And the SWAN CONTROLLERS" the actually went under  a few different names, including "TJ SWANN & COMPANY", THE MAXIMUS THREE" (probably for record label release reasons). The members were TJ SWANN, PEE WEE MEL, AND BARRY B (Who later went on to produce records as Barry Boulevard), another one of the their dope records is "ARE YOU READY" Titled after TJ SWANN & THE SWAN CONTROLLERS" This one right here is a cool Disco Rap party rocker from 1981.






Other noteable releases,a nd I will get these out very soon to you guys.







TJ SWANN!!

T SKI VALLEY - "SEXUAL RAPPING" (1982)

T SKI VALLEY, The man best known for his hit "CATCH THE BEAT" Also dropped an album around 1983 this single which was on it, and it included a few more dope joints including none other than CATCH THE BEAT, SATURDAY NIGHT & USA THE BEST. This particular song may sound very familiar regarding its title. It features an early twist on Marvin Gay's "SEXUAL HEALING" that of course came out right before this in 82 with that classic 808 sound. I think this is pretty dope, considering early MC's like Spoonie Gee dropping, LOVE RAP (first love rapper/gangster rapper on wax), Then you get your LL, COOL J's lady man rappers who followed suit a few years later. Enjoy this dope rare gem. Below a pic of the 12" single and the album cover from which this song comes from

SUGAR DADDY "ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST" (Disco Rap Rare Classic)

And since I am on this quick kick of "interpolations" this is SUGAR DADDY, with his version of the classic rock song "ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST" Done up in Hip Hop fashion, dropped in 1980, beat is a little different, but you know it when you hear it. I really dig the Disco Rap era from 1979-81 maybe early 82. This one on ONE WAY RECORDS.

MC SWEET - JESUS CHRIST (Disco Rap Gospel Record) 1980

I am going to swerve to the right with this one, a very very obscure, hard to find, little known gem. MC Sweet, with JESUS CHRIST, Early Gospel rap record for sure, and this man is preaching the truth. I thought this was real unique, its got the classic Disco Rap feel to it and spreads the word of God in rapping poetic fashion.





A picture of the artist with the whole Adam & Eve theme going. I heard this record was later remixed and released as "The Gospel Beat"

TRICKERATION - 'BOUNCE, RAP ROLLERSKATE" Rare Disco Rap Sure shot!! (Sounds Of NYC)

I feel like being real generous this week, so I hopped on my laptop this am, while across seas,and said "let me see what I can give away" this has always been one of my early Hip Hop fav's. TRICKERATION, is an early hip hop group and their interpretation for VAUGHN MASON'S' - BOUNCE ROCK SKATE, Ended up being this, Real catchy dope joint. You have to remember in the very early days of rap music from 1979-around 82 there were no use of sampling and drum machines yet so the early producers and labels had in house bands to "interpolate" music in other words cover or borrow from tunes that were popular and put a Hip Hop twist on, not to say no one was creating their own original accompaniment. In the early days we had Sylvia Robinson, Joey Robinson, Pumpkin and a few others. what is a Producer? it isn't just someone who makes beats, its also the person who puts up the money behind the studio sessions, the song writers, the engineers, and band/session musicians. This record was produced under "SOUNDS OF NYC" one of the very early Disco labels putting out Hip Hop records around 1979, 80, 81 The House Band I Do Not know!!

  TRICKERATION "BOUNCE, RAP, ROLLERSKATE" 1980 On Sounds Of NYC