Grandmaster Flash and the Furious FIve

It took three attempts for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to recognize on of the most influential musicians in modern music. Grandmaster Flash is long overdue to be a member of the Hall of Fame because he is one of the founding fathers of Rap which presently dominates the music business and has created a world wide culture. True to his legendary status, I am posting his statement that he put on his website which is so eloquent and respectful to his long over due acknowledgement to the Hall of Fame.

In the above video, The Message, it is one of the first videos which about life in the inner city. In the late eighties and early nineties, Rappers like NWA and Public Enemy would put out videos with messages and controversial topics. These groups did this and could do it because it all started with Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five. The Hall of Fame ought to recognized for giving Grandmaster Flash the respect and place in music history which he unquestionably deserves.
I can't say it better the man himself did on his website about being nominated. "This is bigger than me. This induction is total acceptable from one of the most prestigious music associations in the world. This introduction says that for the decades of work that was put in which later co-created an entire culture, they honor us. Its a wonderful feeling to be remembered as one of the architects that pioneered an idea that the whole world fell madly in love with. It is called Hip Hop."
I am not really comfortable with the NYT's spin on this, "Its official, Hip-Hop is Rock and Roll." No, it isn't official, Hi-Hop, or Rap is not Rock and Roll just because it is in a Hall of Fame.
Rap had taken second class status, often being segregated to Yo MTV for year in the nineties, until the MONEY and its popularity made it finically unsound for Viacom - MTV not to embrace it. For years, the only black artists on MTV were non threatening, Micheal Jackson/Lionel Richie, pop artist. It was during what can be looked back on as a golden era for Rap, the late eighties and early nineties, that Rap with a message which didn't just have to do with hos, pimping and ghetto fab alcoholic beverages. I loved that era of old school rap and the music of NWA, Ice Cube and Public Enemy will live forever. These artists all came in behind Grand Master Flash and his RAP music.