New Rapper's Delight controversy

Nov 19, 2008

'Rappers Delight', the 1979 single by The Sugarhill Gang which is considered by many to be the first ever rap single, is at the centre of much legal to-ing and fro-ing. Founding members of the Sugarhill Gang Michael "Wonder Mike" Wright and Guy "Master Gee" O'Brien have filed a lawsuit against their former manager and Sugarhill Publishing.

Wonder Mike and Master Gee have charged Sylvia Robinson, the estate of her late husband Joey Robinson Sr. and members of Sugarhill Publishing, in regards to millions of dollars in uncollected royalties. The pair still perform the song, and feel that they are owed compensation due to the frequent sampling of the song, as well as claiming that Robinson lied to them when they signed their initial contract back in the late 70s.

Now, this is a fairly ironic case. 'Rapper's Delight' is officially based on a version of Chic's disco hit 'Good Times', which is credited on The Sugarhill Gang's version to Positive Force. However, many heads/historians/nerds claim that elements of the song (particularly the strings and piano) are so close to the Chic version that they can only have been a primitive sample. Now why would Sugarhill Publishing do this? Well, far be it from us to suggest that by claiming it as an interpretation rather than a sample that they were able to get out of paying Chic's record label any compensation. Though that's blatantly what happened. Further controversy has surrounded the track with the legendary Grandmaster Caz, the original writer of the song's lyrics, never credited or paid for his work. This would appear to be one that's going to run and run.

Comments: -