Rapper's Delight
Gig Seeker Pro

Rapper's Delight

Hackensack, New Jersey, United States

Hackensack, New Jersey, United States
Band Hip Hop EDM

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Rapper Delight Audience at 'I Want My Name Back'"

A nightmarish tale of manipulation, intellectual property fraud and old fashioned show business chicanery, “I Want my Name Back” details the heartbreaking story of the Sugar Hill Gang, widely heralded as the first rap artists to receive world-wide recognition, and their treatment at the hands of Sugar Hill records owners Joe and Sylvia Robinson.

The three original members of the Sugar Hill Gang were signed to Sugar Hill Records in their hometown of Engelwood, New Jersey in 1978. Their hit single “Rappers Delight” has sold over 10 million copies worldwide, but the musicians did not receive any publishing royalties from these sales.

Through a number of calculated moves the preceded the group’s success, Joe and Sylvia Robinson and their sons Joe, Jr. and Leland Robinson at different points claimed credit for the names, lyrics and identities of the original members of the group. With a dispute that lasted over 30 years and continues to this day, “I Want My Name Back” is a document of exploitation unlike any other in popular music history.

In only his second documentary, Paradiso captures the frustrations and despondency of the original members with a deft hand that allows the audience to see both sides of the story, despite the non-participation of the Robinson family through documents and archival footage.

After DOC NYC creative director Thom Powers’s opening remarks, Paradiso informed the audience at NYU’s Eisner Auditorium to “stick around for a very special ending as we re-write the end of this story.” Immediately following the film, the audience was treated to a short but impressive set featuring Master Gee and Wonder Mike, as they
stormed through spot-on renditions of “Rapper’s Delight,” “Apache,” “The Lala Song” and others.

Jeff Halpin is a film maker and writer living in Brooklyn NY, where he is currently working on a series of short films, “Visus Mentis.” You can follow him at @VanMeterDr on Twitter. - Doc NYC News, Jeff Halpin


"Film Premiere, "I Want My Name Back" - Starring Former Sugarhill Gang Members Wonder Mike and Master Gee"

New York, NY (October 25, 2011) -- 30 years after the historic recording of the iconic mega-hit "Rapper's Delight," Master Gee & Wonder Mike come back to reclaim their identities and rightful place in hip hop history in the documentary film, I Want My Name Back.

I Want My Name Back highlights the rise, fall, and rise again of original members of The Sugarhill Gang, Michael Wright (aka Wonder Mike) and Guy O'Brien (aka Master Gee). One of the most influential songs in the history of the music industry, "Rapper's Delight" was the first commercial hip hop release, forever changing the face of the music industry.

"Rapper's Delight" is still, to this day, the number one selling single in hip hop history. The group followed up their first hit with another song still played today called "Apache". Their first three albums went platinum. While this success should have cemented the legacy and careers of the original members, reality tells a much different story--one that most people, including those in the hip hop world, are not even aware of.

I Want My Name Back will premiere at the upcoming New York City's "DOC NYC" film festival at the following showtimes:

Saturday, Nov. 5, 2011 at 9:30 PM at NYU's Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, 4th Floor (Eisner Auditorium), New York, NY 10012

Media coverage of this event is invited - Immediately after the November 5th screening Wonder Mike and Master Gee will hold a press conference onstage followed by a performance featuring their newest song "I Want My Name Back."

Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011 at 3:30PM at the IFC Center located at 323 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10014

To buy tickets, please visit the festival's website here: www.docnyc.net


There will also be a press screening on Wednesday, Oct. 26th, 12pm at the IFC Center. To RSVP, please send an email to: blackivymedia@yahoo.com no later than Tuesday, Oct. 25th.

In addition to Wonder Mike and Master Gee, the film features appearances by fellow band members Hendogg and DJ T. Dynasty, Treach and Vinnie of Naughty by Nature, Grandmaster CAZ, Bob Sinclair, Melle Mel & others.

"When I first met Wonder Mike and Master Gee I thought I would listen to the usual story of a band breaking up. You know, the stuff you see on TV like the sex and drugs ruining the rock n roll or something like that. As I started listening to their story, I heard something a little different. I heard they would write songs and have other people put their names on them sometimes giving them credit for writing their own songs and sometimes not. I heard that they sold millions of records, had three platinum albums and they were broke. And of course they were in court fighting over all this larceny. This was a sad story, but unfortunately many other groups and performers could tell the same story. But then I heard them say they also had their names taken away. That got my attention. How did that happen? By an illegal trademark, which basically stated that they never existed. Wow. Now there's a story," says film director Roger Paradiso.

Media interviews are available now with the film's director Roger Paradiso as well as Wonder Mike and Master Gee. For additional information please direct all inquiries via email to blackivymedia@yahoo.com. - Shelby Larkin, Black Ivy Media


"Sugarhill Gang Fights to Get Their Name Back"

The hip-hop pioneers document their 30-year battle with the record industry in new film. - Bet.com by Calvin Stovall, posted 11/04/11


Discography

Lala Song
I Want My Name Back

Photos

Bio

It's a new 'gang', new day, and new beginning for the group 'Rapper's Delight' featuring old school hip-hop legends Wonder Mike and Master Gee. Joined by Hen Dogg, DJ T Dynasty and Rob Da' Noize Temple, Rapper's Delight is currently recording a new album. A national/international touring group, Rapper's Delight emerges on the independent artist scene with a new hit--Lala Song released (2009) by Bob Sinclar.

Rapper's Delight is currently in the studio recording a new album. In the meantime, the Lala Song continues to get great reviews. A recent review of the Lala Song by SoundOut reveals that the Lala Song is a potential album track for the overall market (all ages 16 to 44). So whether you are a teenager or approaching your middle-age years or somewhere in between, you will find something to enjoy about the track. The track is classified as "excellent" within the HipHop/Rap genre with an In-Genre Market Potential of 84% indicating it is a potential strong single for this target market. The highest rated element of the track was the instrumentation--followed by the track itself, then vocals, artistry, commerciality, production and lyrics.

A SoundOut summary of the feel-good hit, Lala Song is as follows:

"Listeners love the awesome beat on this track and the music wants you to get up and boogie. The Lala song is totally retro. The vocals are sweet sounding. This track really rocks and pops and parties. The backup vocals provided the excellent harmony while the percussion brings the tempo through the roof. The vocals are dynamite and really work the song. Its an awesome performance that makes listeners want to dance to this song. This is one of those old school sounding songs, but it really does rock! Listeners really enjoy the singing of the background singers. The main rapper (Wonder Mike) has confidence and is really great. This track has a well-defined beat and a good pace that really helps to get the party going. The vocals are clear and have a hypnotic kind of appeal. There is a lot going on in this track but it is fun and catchy. The Lala Song is quite retro, which reflects the mood of the track and brings a smile to faces of is listeners. Great for a night out! --A flash dance beat, some nice 90's styled rhythm as well as this backing style get listeners going with a very original sound and a childlike choir offering Sesame Street styled texture. The bass line is similar to the sugar hill gang and takes the lead role as the rapping commences. The Lala Song is a very catchy groovy dance number with a good funk edge as it reminds listeners of the seventies old school disco and eighties style sort of soul bop. The music has good energy to it with an extremely high energetic introduction and a super bass track. The style of the rapping is really nice, and it is a feel good song and just a fun song. The vocals and the singing children's band in the background create a very vivid and joyful scene."

The Lala Song sets Rapper's Delight apart from legendary other Hip-Hop/Rap groups because it provides a fresh look into new material for the group. The Passion Rating by SoundOut was a "1". The Passion Rating is important because it has a big impact on potential sales and indicates the intensity with which reviewers liked the track compared to how they have liked other tracks. A "Loved" Passion Rating (1 or above) equates to strong sales potential.