June 19, 2012. Pre-1980 Hip Hop/Proto Rap.

June 19, 2012. Genre: pre-1980 hip hop/proto rap.

Frank:
I have to start out today with the godfather of rap, Gil Scott Heron. His work is widely regarded as one of the primary building blocks of hip-hop. He passed away a few weeks ago on May 27th. From 1970, The Revolution Will Not Be Televised. -Frank
Who sampled this? Sounds familiar but I never heard this song. -Nate
Gil Scott Heron: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised.

Wendy Clark (aka Lady B) was a radio DJ in Philly, and also one of the first female rappers. 1979. -Frank
This really goo choice never heard it great example of the genre. -Nate
Lady B: To The Beat Y'all.

You cannot talk about the building blocks of hip hop without mentioning The Last Poets. -Frank
It seems that the genre started because soul wasn't expressing the anger that the community was feeling. -Nate
The Last Poets: New York, New York.

From 1968. Pigmeat Markham was basically a comedy artist, and while most of his work is not musical, this particular track, is straight up rap, a decade before the B-Boys in NYC were doing it. -Frank
Pigmeat Markham: Here Comes The Judge.

Another great early rap, from 1979. -Frank
Jimmy Spicer: The Adventures of Super Rhyme.

I'm gonna end with the Funky Four Plus One More with Rappin and Rocking the house. -Frank
Funky Four Plus One More: Rappin & Rocking the House.

Nate:
This is the first time rap word was used. Not only a great tune but started a revolution "rap and hip hop". -Nate
Great start. -Frank
The Sugar Hill Gang: Rappers Delight.

He was undoubtedly a huge influence on the genre. Snoop sampled this very song and it made him blow up. -Nate
George Clinton: Atomic Dog.
I don't think i need to comment on this one. -Nate
James Brown: Payback, Live in Zaire, 1974.

This song was written in 1977. Later they put out Don't Push Me which is arguably the first rap song put out. -Nate
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five: Super Rappin Number 2.

This is a little more on the soul side but is a great precursor to the rap scene. -Nate
Excellent choice. Too $hort does a great song with this music. -Frank
Donny Hathaway: The Ghetto.