Kid Creole
Encyclopedia
Nathaniel Glover Jr., is an American
rapper first known as Danny Dan and after 1975 as the better-known stage name
The Kidd Creole. He is one of the pioneers of classic hip hop
, and is most famous for his work as a founding member of the group Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. He is recognized for coining the phrase "yes yes y'all", a staple in early hip-hop lingo.
(aka Joseph Saddler) as the group's DJ. (this was a time before records were made so the DJ's name was listed first on fliers and such)
The group formed in the south Bronx from the efforts of the aforementioned individuals. When Flash brought his turntables and speakers in to the parks Mele Mel, Cowboy who is credited with coining the term "hip hop
" and The Kidd Creole talked on the microphone (Mele Mel and The Kidd Creole wrote the first hip hop style rhymes). After two extra emcees, Mr. Ness later known as Scorpio (aka Eddie Morris) and Rahiem (aka Guy Todd Williams) from Bronx rap group The Funky Four
joined them, the group recorded one single as The Younger Generation
before they recorded as Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. They then recorded "Superrappin'" for Enjoy Records
, a label owned by R&B legend Bobby Robinson
.
The members of Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five have become known as the founding fathers of hip hop culture. They took hip hop from the parks and streets to the studios with the release of "Superrappin'" early in the genre's history, becoming the first true rap group to record a popular and major rap album. After about a year they signed with the hottest contemporary label, the groundbreaking Sugarhill Records
and released "Freedom". The group then began to establish themselves as a force in the industry. After few recordings the group then released the cutting-edge single "The Message" a top five record on the Billboard
pop charts. This recording took the group throughout the country then overseas to become hip hop's first true herald helping to prove to the recording industry that hip hop was not just a fad. The group continued to tour and record for a number of years before Grand Master Flash, Rahiem and The Kidd Creole left Sugarhill Records
.
After Grandmaster Flash
, Rahiem and The Kidd Creole left Sugarhill Records
in 1983, they continued to record together for Elektra Records
, later rejoining Melle Mel
, Scorpio and Keith Cowboy for a reunion in 1987. After many years of recording, shooting videos and starring on stage and screen, the group started to receive various awards recognising them as hip hop pioneers. On 12 March 2007, they were inducted into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
alongside such legendary figures as The Beatles
, The Temptations
, The Who
, The Supremes
, The Rolling Stones
, U2
, Fleetwood Mac
and others, demonstrating the group's ability to endure and their affect on the industry and hip hop culture in general.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rapper first known as Danny Dan and after 1975 as the better-known stage name
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
The Kidd Creole. He is one of the pioneers of classic hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
, and is most famous for his work as a founding member of the group Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. He is recognized for coining the phrase "yes yes y'all", a staple in early hip-hop lingo.
Early days
Born in The Bronx, New York, The Kidd Creole (aka Nathaniel Glover Jr.) and his brother Mele Mel (aka Melvin Glover) joined up with the late Keith Cowboy (aka Robert Keith Wiggins) in 1975 to form the Three Emcees, with Grandmaster FlashGrandmaster Flash
Joseph Saddler better known as King Grandmaster Flash, is an American hip hop musician and DJ; one of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing....
(aka Joseph Saddler) as the group's DJ. (this was a time before records were made so the DJ's name was listed first on fliers and such)
The group formed in the south Bronx from the efforts of the aforementioned individuals. When Flash brought his turntables and speakers in to the parks Mele Mel, Cowboy who is credited with coining the term "hip hop
Hip hop
Hip hop is a form of musical expression and artistic culture that originated in African-American and Latino communities during the 1970s in New York City, specifically the Bronx. DJ Afrika Bambaataa outlined the four pillars of hip hop culture: MCing, DJing, breaking and graffiti writing...
" and The Kidd Creole talked on the microphone (Mele Mel and The Kidd Creole wrote the first hip hop style rhymes). After two extra emcees, Mr. Ness later known as Scorpio (aka Eddie Morris) and Rahiem (aka Guy Todd Williams) from Bronx rap group The Funky Four
Funky Four Plus One
Funky Four Plus One was the first Hip-Hop/Rap group from The Bronx, New York, United States to receive a recording deal. They were notable for having a female MC, and were the first rap group to perform live on a national television broadcast...
joined them, the group recorded one single as The Younger Generation
The Younger Generation
The Younger Generation is a 1929 drama film directed by Frank Capra. It was produced by Jack Cohn for Columbia Pictures. This was Capra's first sound film. It was actually a silent movie with various dialogue sequences added into it...
before they recorded as Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. They then recorded "Superrappin'" for Enjoy Records
Enjoy Records
Enjoy Records was a record label owned and operated by Bobby Robinson from 1962 through the mid-1980s, and was run out of his record shop at 125th Street and 8th Ave. in Harlem...
, a label owned by R&B legend Bobby Robinson
Bobby Robinson (record producer)
Bobby Robinson was an African-American independent record producer and songwriter in New York, most active from the 1950s through the mid 1980s. He produced hits by Wilbert Harrison, The Shirelles, Dave "Baby" Cortez, Elmore James, Lee Dorsey, Gladys Knight & The Pips, King Curtis, Spoonie Gee,...
.
The members of Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five have become known as the founding fathers of hip hop culture. They took hip hop from the parks and streets to the studios with the release of "Superrappin'" early in the genre's history, becoming the first true rap group to record a popular and major rap album. After about a year they signed with the hottest contemporary label, the groundbreaking Sugarhill Records
Sugar Hill Records (rap)
Sugar Hill Records was the name of a rap music record label that was founded in 1979 by husband and wife Joe and Sylvia Robinson with Milton Malden and financial funding of Morris Levy, the owner of Roulette Records.-History:...
and released "Freedom". The group then began to establish themselves as a force in the industry. After few recordings the group then released the cutting-edge single "The Message" a top five record on the Billboard
Billboard charts
The Billboard charts tabulate the relative weekly popularity of songs or albums in the United States. The results are published in Billboard magazine...
pop charts. This recording took the group throughout the country then overseas to become hip hop's first true herald helping to prove to the recording industry that hip hop was not just a fad. The group continued to tour and record for a number of years before Grand Master Flash, Rahiem and The Kidd Creole left Sugarhill Records
Sugar Hill Records (rap)
Sugar Hill Records was the name of a rap music record label that was founded in 1979 by husband and wife Joe and Sylvia Robinson with Milton Malden and financial funding of Morris Levy, the owner of Roulette Records.-History:...
.
After Grandmaster Flash
Grandmaster Flash
Joseph Saddler better known as King Grandmaster Flash, is an American hip hop musician and DJ; one of the pioneers of hip-hop DJing, cutting, and mixing....
, Rahiem and The Kidd Creole left Sugarhill Records
Sugar Hill Records (rap)
Sugar Hill Records was the name of a rap music record label that was founded in 1979 by husband and wife Joe and Sylvia Robinson with Milton Malden and financial funding of Morris Levy, the owner of Roulette Records.-History:...
in 1983, they continued to record together for Elektra Records
Elektra Records
Elektra Records is an American record label owned by Warner Music Group. In 2004, it was consolidated into WMG's Atlantic Records Group. After five years of dormancy, the label was revived by Atlantic in 2009....
, later rejoining Melle Mel
Melle Mel
Grandmaster Mele Mel , also known as Melle Mel , is an American hip-hop musician — one of the pioneers of old school hip hop as lead rapper and main songwriter for Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.- Biography :...
, Scorpio and Keith Cowboy for a reunion in 1987. After many years of recording, shooting videos and starring on stage and screen, the group started to receive various awards recognising them as hip hop pioneers. On 12 March 2007, they were inducted into the prestigious Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum is a museum located on the shore of Lake Erie in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, United States. It is dedicated to archiving the history of some of the best-known and most influential artists, producers, engineers and others who have, in some major way,...
alongside such legendary figures as The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
, The Temptations
The Temptations
The Temptations is an American vocal group having achieved fame as one of the most successful acts to record for Motown Records. The group's repertoire has included, at various times during its five-decade career, R&B, doo-wop, funk, disco, soul, and adult contemporary music.Formed in Detroit,...
, The Who
The Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
, The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
, The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
and others, demonstrating the group's ability to endure and their affect on the industry and hip hop culture in general.
Albums
- The Message - LP (1982), Sugar Hill Records
- They Said It Couldn't Be DoneThey Said It Couldn't Be DoneThey Said It Couldn't Be Done is the third album released by Grandmaster Flash, which followed the breakup of the Furious Five because of the departure of rappers Melle Mel, Scorpio, and Cowboy. For They Said It Couldn't Be Done, Flash signed with Elektra Records and retained the services of Rahiem...
- LP (1985), Elektra Records - The Source - LP (1986), Elektra Records
- Ba-Dop-Boom-BangBa-Dop-Boom-BangBa-Dop-Boom-Bang is the fifth album released by Grandmaster Flash. It was released in 1987 on Elektra records. The cassette version was titled Ba-Dop-Boom-Bang...And More and the CD version was titled Ba-Dop-Boom-Bang...And Even More - each containing bonus tracks that were not on the original...
- LP (1987), Elektra Records - On the StrengthOn the StrengthOn the Strength is the reunion album by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Released in 1988, it was the full line-up’s last album together. Although certainly contributing to the album itself, Cowboy , was not present for the album or single photo shoots...
- LP (1988), Elektra Records
Singles
- We Rap More Mellow - 12 inch (1979), Brass Records
- Superappin - 12 inch (1979), Enjoy Records
- Superappin No. 2 - 12 inch(1980), Enjoy Records
- Freedom - 12 inch (1980), Sugar Hill Records
- The Birthday Party - 12 inch (1981), Sugar Hill Records
- It's Nasty (Genius of Love) - 12 inch (1981), Sugar Hill Records
- Showdown (with The Sugarhill Gang) - 12 inch (1981), Sugar Hill Records
- The Adventures of Grand,aster Flash in The Wheels of Steel (Background vocals)- 12 inch (1981), SugarHill Records
- Flash to the Beat - 12 inch (1982), Sugar Hill Records
- Message II (Survival) (background vocals) - 12 inch (1982), SugarHill Records
- The Message (background vocals) - 12 inch (1982), SugarHill Records
- New York New York (background vocals) - 12 inch (1983), SugarHill Records
- "Sign Of The Times" - 12 inch (1985), Elektra Records
- "Girls Love The Way He Spins" - 12 inch (1985), Elektra Records
- "Larrys Dance Theme" - 12 inch (1986), Elecktra Records
- "Fastest Man Alive" - 12 inch (1986), Elekra Records
- "Style" (PeterGunn Theme) - 12 inch (1986), Elektra Records
- "Throwing Down" - 12 inch (1986), Elektra Records
- "You Know What Time It Is" (background vocals) - 12 inch (1987), Elektra Records
- "All Wrapped Up" - 12 inch (1987), Elektra Records
- "Gold" - 12 inch (1988), Elektra Records
- "Fly Girls" - 12 inch (1988), Elektra Records
- "Heat Seekers Cipher" - single on the Heat Seeker compilation CD, (2011), Newtroit Records