Funky 4 + 1

Funky 4 + 1 was an American hip hop group from The Bronx, New York, composed of Jazzy Jeff, Sharon Green, D.J. Breakout, Guy Williams, Keith Keith, The Voice of K.K. and Rodney Stone. The latter two members also performed together as the duo Double Trouble, notably in the film Wild Style. They were the first hip hop group to receive a record deal, as well as the first to perform live on national television. The group was also notable for being the first to have a woman MC, Sha-Rock.

Funky 4 + 1
Also known as
  • Funky 4 + 1 More
  • Funky Four Plus One
  • Funky Four Plus One More
OriginBronx, New York City
GenresHip hop
Years active1977–1983
LabelsEnjoy Records
Sugar Hill Records
Associated actsGrandmaster Flash and The Furious Five
Double Trouble
Past members
DJ Baron

History

"That's the Joint" was interpolated from A Taste of Honey's "Rescue Me". Music critic Robert Christgau of The Village Voice named it the best song of the 1980s.[1] In his 1981 review of the single, Christgau gave it an A rating and wrote of its musical significance:

The instrumental track, carried by Sugarhill bassist Doug Wimbish, is so compelling that for a while I listened to it alone on its B-side version. And the rapping is the peak of the form, not verbally—the debut has funnier words—but rhythmically. Quick tradeoffs and clamorous breaks vary the steady-flow rhyming of the individual MCs, and when it comes to Sha-Rock, Miss Plus One herself, who needs variation?"[2]

Notable rock critic Robert Christgau's reference to Sha-Rock as the +1 was actually a misnomer. Sha-Rock, AKA Sharon Green, was one of the founding members of the Funky Four and an additional male rapper was added to the group leading to the "+ 1" in their name (see "Sha-Rock" for the citation). Funky 4 + 1 was the first hip hop group to appear on a national television show; on February 14 (Valentine's Day) 1981 they performed on Saturday Night Live hosted by Blondie's Deborah Harry.

The group was subsequently asked by Harry to open up for Blondie on tour, but were forbidden to do so by Sugarhill Records' CEO, Sylvia Robinson.[3]

In 2008, its song "That's The Joint" was ranked number 41 on VH1's 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.[4]

Discography

Singles
  • "Rappin & Rocking The House" (1979)
  • "That's The Joint" (1980)
  • "Do You Want to Rock (Before I Let Go)" (1982)
  • "Feel It" (The Mexican)" (1983)

Compilations
  • Back To The Old School 2 – That's The Joint (1999)

Members
  • The Voice of K.K. aka K.K. Rockwell (Kevin Smith)
  • Keith Keith (Keith Caesar)
  • Sha Rock (Sharon Green)
  • Rahiem (Guy Todd Williams)
  • Lil' Rodney C! (Rodney Stone)
  • Jazzy Jeff (Jeff Miree)
  • D.J. Breakout (Keith Williams)
  • D.J. Baron (Baron Chappell)

NOTE: Smith & Stone perform as a duo known as Double Trouble.

References
  1. Christgau, Robert (January 2, 1990). "Decade Personal Best: '80s". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  2. Christgau, Robert (March 30, 1981). "Consumer Guide". The Village Voice. Retrieved 2012-03-18.
  3. Piskor, Ed (2013). Hip Hop Family Tree. Seattle, WA: Fantagraphics. ISBN 1606996908.
  4. "VH1′s 100 Greatest Hip-Hop Songs". Stereogum. 2008-09-29. Retrieved 2014-08-01.
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