126
47
By featuring rapping over an interpolated R&B/disco song, “Rapper’s Delight” participated
in the ongoing trend of repurposing breakbeats and other musical elements from the R&B,
disco, and funk genres.
48
Bernard Edwards and Nile Rodgers, the main songwriters in Chic, were eventually credited
as songwriters on “Rapper’s Delight” (Patrin, 2020). “Rapper’s Delight” preserves the highly
repetitive beat from “Good Times,” recorded by session musicians hired by producer Sylvia
Robinson.
49
This formal summary holds true for all released versions of “Rapper’s Delight”: the single,
the album version, the long single version, and the two 12” versions (short and long). While
the quantity and length of verse and instrumental sections changes across these releases, no
hook sections appear in any version.
50
I understand the term “old-school” to account for all hip-hop music released before 1986.
Bradley and DuBois (2010) define the old-school period as 1978–1984, while Perry (2004, 58)
points out that the term “old school” as referencing this period of time was already in use in
rap lyrics as early as 1988.
51
“Rapper’s Delight” was released as a single in two different lengths, as a 12” in two different
lengths, and on the Sugarhill Gang’s self-titled debut album in 1980.
52
Rose writes that “taken together, the video and lyrics for ‘Ladies First’ are a statement for
black female unity, independence, and power” (1994, 164–165). Roberts (1994) cites “Ladies
First” as evidence supporting Rose’s claims that “women rappers are vocal and respected
members of the hip-hop community” (1991, 109).
53
In the music video, the imagery also contrasts sharply between verses and hooks.
54
The singing in the hook sections of “Slow Down” is mostly sampled from the song “What I
Am” (Edie Brickell and New Bohemians, 1988).
55
Krims reflects on the tension between hardcore lyrical subjects, which evoke affiliations of
tough, urban masculinity and authenticity, with the perceived softness of R&B influences in
1990s don rap, giving the example of the parodically used female-sung hook in Ice Cube’s
“Giving Up the Nappy dugout” (1991). See Krims 2000, 85–86.
56
Evans had already released her self-titled debut album in 1995, but her subsequent three
albums (Keep the Faith, 1998; Faithfully, 2001; and the First Lady, 2005) all surpassed her
original album in chart performance, and “Missing You” remains by far her most successful
single.
57
See for example “Dead and Gone” (T.I. ft. Justin Timberlake, 2008), “Empire State of Mind”
(Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys, 2009), “Love the Way You Lie” (Eminem ft. Rihanna, 2010), and “All of
the Lights” (Kanye West ft. Rihanna et al., 2010). The reverse setup, where MCs provide a guest
verse on a pop song also prevails in recent years: notable examples include “Crazy in Love”
(Beyonce ft. Jay-Z, 2003) “American Boy” (Estelle ft. Kanye West, 2008), “Baby” (Justin Bieber
ft. Ludacris, 2010), and “Bon Appetit” (Katy Perry ft. Migos, 2017).
58
Rihanna and Jay-Z have a particularly interesting relationship in that Jay-Z was instrumental
in launching Rihanna’s career (well documented by Seabrook 2015) while Rihanna was pivotal
in developing Jay-Z’s commercial and critical accolades. Rihanna is not the only pop artist who