The title of "the very first rapper" is generally attributed to Gil Scott-Heron. He is widely regarded as a pioneer of the hip hop genre and is credited with releasing one of the earliest rap songs.
Song:
The song considered to be the first rap recording is "The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" by Gil Scott-Heron. It was released in 1970 on his album "Small Talk at 125th and Lenox."
"The Revolution Will Not Be Televised" features Scott-Heron reciting his politically charged and socially conscious lyrics over a funky, percussive beat. It is considered a milestone in hip hop history as it laid the foundation for the development of the genre and influenced countless rappers and musicians who came after.
The lyrics of the song address various issues such as the struggles of the black community, the power dynamics in society, and the importance of taking action rather than passively observing events. Scott-Heron's unique style of blending spoken word poetry with music made him a trailblazer and a significant figure in the evolution of hip hop.