030- The "First Death" of Hip Hop and "Rapper's Delight"

In this episode, I am joined by Matt Carter and Eric Taxier to discuss "Rapper's Delight" by the Sugar Hill Gang, which historian Jeff Chang refers to as the "first death of hip hop." I begin by outlining the inevitability of narrative and interpretation to history--that there is no "just the facts" approach to history, no matter how hard we try. I then suggest that Jeff Chang tells a story of death and resurrection (and a shift from authenticity to increased inauthenticity) while someone like Dan Charnas tells a story of expansion and innovation (in business as much as art). Then Eric and Matt join me to discuss various elements of that "first" rap recording: the shift away from the DJ toward the MC, the use of a backing band and the continuation of a remix culture, the citing of names as tags, and other issues.