Re: Origins of Rap

Kevin Kiernan (mrfliz@interport.net)
Mon, 19 Feb 1996 17:18:41 -0500


John Schauer wrote:
>
> It's always silly to argue origins, but..... This seems like a simple test to
> see whether rap was brought whole-cloth from Jamaica.
> 1) Are there any pre-1980 Jamaican recordings that most people today would
> recognize as "rap"? No

mobile Sound Systems were blasting away before the 80's, complete with mad
toasting; they just never recorded the parties.

do you tape your parties (everyone except qool marv)?

kevin k

> 2) Are there any pre-1980 American recordings that most people today would
> recognize as "rap"? There are dozens including Jimmy Spicer, the Sugarhill Gang,
> etc.
>
> "Rap" as we know it, existed in America before it existed in Jamaica. In order
> to be "brought to the South Bronx, NYC by Jamaican immigrants" it would have to
> exist in Jamaica first, unless the immigrants created the art form in transit.