The Sugarhill Gang

Rap grandfathers and premier old-school rappersMaster Gee, Big Hank, and Wonder Mike are the Sugarhill Gang. This CD contains their groundbreaking lyrics, hip-hop beats, and singalongs. "Rappers Delight" gets better with time, the humorous lyrics spit out to Chic's "Good Times" are everlasting; check out the phat Motown-ish handclaps on the beat. Salsa horns accent "8th Wonder," a risque but clean rap, the occasional profanity gets muffled by a whistle. Horns and a ringing guitar dominate "Kick It Live from 9 to 5," and nearly drown out the trio. "Living in the Fast Lane" features hard, lightening raps, but the female backing voices and the intrusive horns that the Sugarhill Gang love, clutter more than embellish. "Apache" has the same novelty and newness of "Rappers Delight"; the everything-and-then-some mix works on this one and doesn't detract from the raps. The 12 cuts represent their best, and the disc features two versions of "Rappers Delight." ~ Andrew Hamilton, Rovi