Formed in 1978, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were an influential South Bronx rap group most famous for the single, "The Message." Flash was the group's DJ. The Five consisted of rappers Cowboy, Melle Mel, Kidd Creole, Scorpio and Rahiem. All of them had rapped at bloc parties in hip-hop's earliest days during the summer of 1977. The group disbanded in 1983 due to alleged tensions between Flash and Melle Mel. In 2007 they earned the distinction of becoming the first rap act inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
The Sugarhill Gang established two firsts in rap history in 1979. Their hit "Rapper's Delight," which was based on the music of the Chic disco hit "Good Times," was the first rap record to reach the top 40. That same year the group became the first rap act to appear on "American Bandstand," which was still the primary TV outlet for pop music at that time. They were formed in Englewood, New Jersey by manager Sylvia Robinson, who also founded Sugarhill Records." The trio also had minor hits with "Apache," and "Eighth Wonder."
In 1979 Kurtis Blow signed with Mercury, thus becoming the first rapper to record for a major label. His first record, "Christmas Rappin,'" sold more than 400,000 copies. Its follow-up, "The Breaks," passed the 500,000 mark to became the first rap record to go gold. Blow was essentially the first solo rap star. He went on to enjoy a career as a producer and did stints as a radio host. In 1997 he helped compile an old-school rap series for Rhino Records. It was called "Kurtis Blow Presents the History of Rap."
Run-DMC had a hard-hitting sound that borrowed elements from rock music. Their breakthrough crossover hit was a cover of Aerosmith's "Walk this Way." The video with Aerosmith's Steven Tyler and Joe Perry was among the first rap videos to get heavy play on MTV. The group also led one of the first rap tours to play in arenas. One of them included LL Cool J as a supporting act. Run-DMC, which made the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, disbanded in 2002 after the tragic shooting death of its DJ, Jam Master Jay.