One of Hip Hop’s foremost pioneers is Joseph Saddler, also known as Grandmaster Flash. Back in the day, he epitomized what a DJ should be and led one of Hip Hop’s best and most enduring groups, The Furious Four, which later became The Furious Five. Flash assembled his superstar crew in 1976, and they went on to record some of Hip Hop’s biggest hits, including ‘White Lines,’ ‘The Message,’ and ‘Scorpio,’ to name a few. However, even before their records came out, GM Flash was already the most popular act in Hip Hop. Attending a Flash party was a special occasion, and old school enthusiasts have fond memories of seeing Flash perform for the first time. Both he and his group exhibited unparalleled showmanship that remains unmatched to this day.
There is no exaggerating the significance of Flash’s accomplishments. He pioneered various techniques, such as backspinning, cutting, scratching, and quick mixing, which serve as the foundations for today’s Hip Hop DJs. Flash was also responsible for experimenting with a mixer and developing crossfading cues. Additionally, he was the first DJ to incorporate a drum machine, which he referred to as a beatbox.
This interview occurred several days after 2Pac’s tragic death in September 1996.
Later in the show we hear from West Coast Hip Hop artists and author Adiisa Banjoko who talks about the connection between Hip Hop and Martial Arts
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