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Grandmaster Flash Rolls Into Rock Hall

Posted on Mar 1st 2007 7:09PM by Jessica Robertson
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While most folks who are grounded in hip-hop history credit Bronx, New York, DJ Kool Herc with being the father of the genre, there's no denying that Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were rap's Johnny Appleseeds -- the first to disseminate the sound to the musical mainstream. Long overdue, the group's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame proves that third time's the charm.

"The first time we were nominated, I was like, 'Yaaaay!'" Grandmaster Flash tells Spinner. "Then it was like, 'No, you're not going in.' Then, when we were nominated again, there was less of a 'Yay.' This time, I got a call the day before the announcement from someone on the board that we got in. I always thought it was impossible, that all the other organizations had embraced hip-hop, but that this particular organization wouldn't. It's bigger than Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, though. Hip-hop is in there now, and that's what really counts."

"I personally look at myself as a scientist, and I look at the Furious Five as innovators ahead of their time," he continues. "Ahead of our time, mostly. "

And the trailblazing troupe says there hasn't been a time when they felt the group didn't get well-deserved respect. "I can't remember a period of time when I wasn't mentioned by people who are asked about who inspired them," he says. "When I walk the street, kids who weren't even born when I was making records know who I am. It's a much bigger business now, of course, but it's wonderful to know that I created an industry."

Read our exclusive Q&A with Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five

Filed under: News, The DL, Exclusive, Rock Hall
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Reader Comments(1 of 2)

Neutral

horacedat 3-04-2007

It's about damn time hip hop is in the hall of fame ... MANY, MANY more to come!@

Neutral

crystalat 3-04-2007

YES I AGREE!!!! HIP -HOP IS MOST DEFINANTLY MADE A COMEBACK!!! HIP-HOP HAS JUS ROSE FROM THE DEAD!!

Neutral

Harlowat 3-06-2007

Where in the heck is Todd Rundgren? He should have been inducted years ago.

Neutral

Phil Aylestockat 3-06-2007

A travesty...he has no business in the hall of fame because he does not do rock & roll

Neutral

mikeat 3-05-2007

what about kiss???????????????????????????

Neutral

mikeat 3-05-2007

what about KISS

Neutral

mikeat 3-05-2007

what about KISS >????????????????

Neutral

Musicat 3-05-2007

This sucks. Rap is not Rock N Roll.
Somebody that you have forgotten and should of been in a long time ago.
Leon Russell. What's wrong with you guys?

Neutral

MusicLoverat 3-06-2007

Is the "Rock and Roll Hall of Fame" for real? Can't be legitimized until LINDA RONSTADT is enshrined.

Neutral

SONNYat 3-06-2007

THIS IS NOT THE HIP HOP HALL OF FAME

Neutral

jsikat 3-06-2007

The rock and roll hall of fame is about all who made a huge impact in the music world from the rolling stones to nirvana to grandmaster flash. This dude pioneered a whole new genre of music. Whether you like the music or not, you gotta respect that

Neutral

KG Old Timerat 3-07-2007

I went to the Hall a few years ago but never again. This "Rock and Roll" Hall of Fame is a joke.
I lost interest when Miles Davis made it. And now I give up. Real Rock and Roll doesn't sell out. Who runs this comercial sham?

Neutral

Paulat 3-07-2007

A guy that "samples" (rips off) music and talks over it is not a rock n roller! Rap and hip hop is not rock music,just like opera,country or jazz is not rock music! Putting this stuff in the R Nr hall of fame is a joke! Create a new hall of fame for them. Urban rapping Hall of fame or something. NOT ROCK N ROLL!!!

Neutral

Daveat 3-10-2007

What the hell is a grandmaster flash? It sure isn't rock and roll. Obviously gangbangers have taken over the rock and roll hall of fame, because they don't have a clue what rock and roll is.

Neutral

Dennis Dejakat 3-10-2007

Grandmaster Flash is not rock n roll. They should create their own rap crap hall of fame. Also,there are at least a dozen early rock n roll people and bands that never seem to get nominated. Are the people that create the nominees all under age 30?

Neutral

George millerat 3-10-2007

Are you kidding!!!! who picks this shit!!! rap is in no way rockn' roll!!!! how in the world does Patti Smith get in Before YES, JETHRO TULL, GENESIS,RUSH,CHARLIE DANIELS,MOTT THE HOOPLE. YES is one of the greatest musical groups ever!!!! this is a fact, they sold out Madison Square Garden over 18 times they are world famous!!!! what kind of bias do you have against them? The fact that they can all actually play their instruments!!! uNLIKE hall member Sid Vicious! what a disgrace!! why don't you right the ship and put in the more deserving Rock Heroes and cut the bullshit!!!!

Neutral

Paul Wrathat 3-10-2007

Rap is not Rock n Roll!! It's noise pollution!! How can you guys at the hall even consider this as Rock n roll? It's a disgrace. As a fan, I'am ASHAMED.

Neutral

Average Joeat 3-12-2007

What Is Rock & Roll? What Is Hip Hop?

From The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Website. Its Purpose As Defined at rockhall.com/support:
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame & Museum is a nonprofit organization that exists to educate visitors, fans and scholars from around the world "About The History And Continuing Significance" Of "ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC"!
To "jsik": It doesn't say "ONE Damn Thing" about Hip-Hop! It Says: The History And Continuing Significance Of "ROCK AND ROLL MUSIC"! Not For "pioneers of a Whole New Genre Of Music".

Defined at http://rap.about.com/od/rootsofraphiphop/p/RootsOfRap.htm

Hip-hop: a form of popular music that�s comprised mainly of mc'ing (rapping) and dj'ing. The other two components that complete the four elements of hip-hop are graffiti and breakdancing.
It doesn't say "ONE Damn Thing" about Rock And Roll!

But Hey, NOW that the door is open & The "Blurred Music Lines Clarified, When can we expect to see "Rock & Roll" bands entered into the "Hip Hop Awards" & them Rockin' Away On "BET"? Seems Only Fair, Music Is Music, Right jsik?

Neutral

Eloise Riversat 3-12-2007

For the uninformed, if a "particular sound" (as in hip-hop or loud head-banging hard rock) sells Rolling Stone magazines, they are gleefully inducted in the RRHOF. If it doesn't -- can you say "original rock and rollers" -- their chances of getting in are slim and none!

Neutral

Eloise Riversat 3-12-2007

For the uninformed, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame exists for the sole purpose of promoting and selling Rolling Stone Magazines. Rolling Stone Magazine owner, Jann Wenner, is Co-Chairman of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. If you're an alternative head-banging hard rocker or hip-hopper and appear in the magazine, your chances of getting in the Hall of Fame are multiplied. However, if you're an "original bonafide Rock and Roll artist", your chances are slim and none. Look how long it took The Ronettes.

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Grandmaster Flash Rolls Into Rock Hall