Big Bank Hank, the New York rap artist, who as a member of the Sugarhill Gang released what is famously regarded as the first ever rap record, has died at the age of 57.

Big Bank Hank formed the Sugarhill Gang with Master Gee and Wonder Mic, and became synonymous with the first ever rap song “Rapper’s Delight”. The record sold several million copies worldwide and helped establish rap as the genre it is today.

In the song “Rapper’s Delight”, ‘Big Bank’ introduced himself as “six foot one and tons of fun”. The full version of Rapper’s Delight ran for nearly 16 minutes long and was recorded in a single take. The Record Press author can bear witness to the longevity of the full edit of the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” as I was recently persuaded by my girlfriend to join her on the dance floor of a Nottingham bar. Thinking it was the abridged radio edit of “Rapper’s Delight” lasting a few minutes, I willingly and happily joined her on the dance floor as it is one of my favourite songs………Sixteen minutes later I was virtually on my knees as the song finally faded out!! A marathon would have been less arduous although admittedly not as much fun!!

If the bass line and beat of the song are familiar, there is a good reason for that and a good story behind it!! On the 20th and 21st September 1979 Blondie and Chic were playing concerts with The Clash in New York at The Palladium. When Chic started playing “Good Times”, rapper Fab Five Freddy and the members of the Sugarhill Gang (“Big Bank Hank” Jackson, Mike Wright, and “Master Gee” O’Brien), jumped up on stage and started freestyling with Chic.

Then a few weeks later Chic guitarist and songwriter Nile Rodgers was on the dance floor of New York club Leviticus and heard the DJ play a song which opened with Bernard Edwards’ bass line from Chic’s “Good Times”. Nile Rodgers approached the DJ who said he was playing a record he had just bought that day in Harlem. The song turned out to be an early version of “Rapper’s Delight,” which also included a scratched version of the song’s string section.

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards threatened legal action over copyright, which resulted in a settlement and their being credited as co-writers. Nile Rodgers subsequently admitted that he was originally upset with the song, but would later declare it to be “one of his favourite songs of all time” and his favourite of all the tracks that sampled Chic. He also stated that “as innovative and important as ‘Good Times’ was, ‘Rapper’s Delight’ was just as much, if not more so.” ( Courtesy of Wikipedia ).

Record Press’ sister website www.MyFirstRecord.co.uk recently processed an order for a framed vinyl single of the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight”. This is what customer Amanda Turner, from Cambridge, said in her product review on the website: “The framed disc is brilliant, so I am looking forward to seeing the framed cover. Best wishes, Mandy”.

 To get a favourite song framed in a vinyl single or CD format as a special gift…… ORDER HERE……..www.myfirstrecord.co.uk/

Framed vinyl records, framed CDs, framed DVDs & framed book covers with a personalised plaque, make unique presents or original gifts for a special celebration  / special occasion ie a Wedding ( Wedding First Dance Song ), an Engagement Party ( Our Song ), a House Warming Party ( New Home ), a 21st, 30th, 40th, 50th, 60th Birthday ( How about the No1 song on the day of birth? ), a Silver, Ruby or Golden Wedding Anniversary, Father’s or Mother’s Day or Valentine’s Day!!  THE PERFECT PERSONALISED PRESENT!!