The Sugarhill Gang

The Sugarhill Gang — r&b, funk & soul artist from US.

Though the Sugarhill Gang inaugurated the history of recorded hip-hop with their single "Rapper's Delight," a multi-platinum-seller and radio hit in 1979, the…

Genres

r&b, funk & soulfunkhip-hop & raphip hoprapeast coast hip hophip-hop/raphip housenew jersey rapold school hip hopelectronicelectro

Influential: 60.15% Fanbase: 43.89% Trending: 68.28%

As of: 2025-09-06

Top Brand Affinity

Highest overlapping lifestyle brand

Not available

As of 2025-09-06

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Social Media Followers

As of 2025-09-06

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Hours Airplay

Scores

Score: DMDB 60.15% | Fanbase 43.89% | Trending 68.28% | CAREER STAGE: MAINSTREAM

Biography

Though the Sugarhill Gang inaugurated the history of recorded hip-hop with their single "Rapper's Delight," a multi-platinum-seller and radio hit in 1979, the group was cooked up to cash in on a supposed novelty item. Music industry producer and label owner Sylvia Robinson had become aware of the massive hip-hop block parties occurring around the New York area during the late '70s, so she gathered three local rappers (Master Gee, Wonder Mike, and Big Bank Hank) to record a single. Infectious and catchy, "Rapper's Delight" borrowed the break from Chic's "Good Times" and became a worldwide hit, eventually selling more than eight million copies. Most industry people figured rap for a short-lived trend, and though they were dead wrong, the Sugarhill Gang certainly didn't carry the torch; despite several modest hits ("8th Wonder," "Apache"), the trio faded quickly and was gone by the mid-'80s, only returning in 1999 with Jump on It, a rap album for children. ~ John Bush, Rovi