Grandmaster Flash is part of the first hip hop rap group inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Officially “The Furious Five” is the first group inducted.
Many speculate this may be the end of inducting 70’s punk rock icons, and the ushering in of the hip hop era in rock music.
When Grandmaster Flash was asked about other artists he thought were deserving to be inducted, he said: “Afrika Bambaataa. Run-DMC. KRS-One,” he says, barely pausing for a breath. “Big Daddy Kane. LL Cool J. Eric B and Rakim. Tribe Called Quest. The list goes on and on.”
Flash left himself out, with good reason: The DJ and partners the Furious Five enter the Hall on Monday as its initial rap inductees. The Bronx hip-hop pioneers are part of an otherwise traditional class: R.E.M., Van Halen and a pair of fellow New York City performers, Patti Smith and the Ronettes.
*UPDATE 03/08/07 – Just received a comment that hip hop should NOT be allowed in the RRHOF – So I’ve opened up a discussion thread on that subject here: Rap Dogs RRHOF Discussion Thread.
I’m still buzzing off of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five being inducted into the Rock of Roll Hall of Fame. It was so big for me when we got to interview Grandmaster Mele Mel over at Highbrid Nation. As a person who grew up on hip hop, I’m just glad to see it being respected.
it is total bullshit… this is not what a rock and roll museum was built for… create thier own museum… i will not be a member to support the bullshit again… let’s see one of these guys play an instrument!!! a turntable is not an instrument… Mick
Mick,
I don’t know your background – am assuming you don’t listen to any hip hop and aren’t clued in to what Grandmaster Flash did in the early years.
I’ve played with headliners at the House of Blues in Los Angeles, played for a rock artist that has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame….blah blah blah – I can tell you from where my view sits that hip hop is entirely validated to be part of the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
Originally rock music was about expression on the bleeding edge, and that’s the gauntlet hip hop has been running with for quite a while. I respect your opinion, but suspect it comes from not understanding hip hop’s culture.
I’ve opened up a discussion thread for this, link is now at bottom of article.