The Rapper

"The Rapper" is a song by The Jaggerz, written by band member Dominic Ierace, better known as Donnie Iris. Released as a single, it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, behind Simon & Garfunkel's smash "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and it was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1970 (see 1970 in music) for selling over a million copies.[2] (Iris later launched a solo career; his biggest hit was "Ah! Leah!")

"The Rapper"
Single by The Jaggerz
from the album We Went to Different Schools Together
B-side"Born Poor"
ReleasedJanuary 1970[1]
Format7"
GenreRock, pop
Length2:41
LabelKama Sutra KA 502
Songwriter(s)Dominic Ierace
Producer(s)Sixuvus Productions
The Jaggerz singles chronology
"Need Your Love"
(1970)		 "The Rapper"
(1970)		 "I Call My Baby Candy"
(1970)
45 RPM colored vinyl
Limited edition release

The song is addressed to a girl, or girls in general; it describes the method of a man who seduces women with untruths ("rapping".) The singer says, "You know what he's after"; he concludes by saying there comes a point at which the man has his target where he wants her. The girl has to "face reality." The record ends with a small group of applause heard in the studio.

The "rapper" of the title and "rappin'" in the lyrics have only some coincidental resemblance to the vocal style of rapping.[3]

Covers

"The Rapper" has been covered by two Jaggerz members. Since beginning his solo career, Donnie Iris has covered the song numerous times in concert. Additionally, live recordings of the song have appeared on his compilation albums.

Also, "The Rapper" was covered by Jimmie Ross during the time period when The Jaggerz weren't together. Additionally, the single was covered by Wolfman Jack. Canadian hard rock trio Santers recorded the song for their 1981 debut album Shot Down In Flames.

Album appearances

Chart performance

See also

References
  1. Popoff, Martin (2009). Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records. Krause Publications. p. 357. ISBN 0-89689-958-6.
  2. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2008-03-16.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  3. "The Rapper by The Jaggerz". Retrieved 2019-05-27.
  4. "Top 100 1970-03-21". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
  5. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca.
  6. "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
  7. "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1970". Cashbox Magazine. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
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