However, some key figures are often cited as pioneers of what we recognize as modern rapping:
* The Last Poets (1960s): This group, including Umar bin Hassan, Jalal Mansoor Nuriddin, and David Nelson, were known for their politically charged, spoken-word performances that influenced early hip hop.
* Gil Scott-Heron (1970s): Often referred to as "the godfather of rap," Scott-Heron combined jazz and spoken word with political and social commentary in his music.
* Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (1970s): This group is widely credited with popularizing DJing and turntablism within hip hop, and their innovative use of rhythm and rhyme laid the groundwork for the genre's evolution.
* The Sugarhill Gang (1979): Their hit song "Rapper's Delight" is considered one of the first commercially successful rap records, bringing the genre to mainstream attention.
It's important to remember that the development of hip hop was a collaborative effort, with many artists and communities contributing to its evolution. It's hard to pinpoint a single "first" rapper, but these individuals played crucial roles in shaping the genre as we know it today.