Chance meeting on the move of a rap and a beat Respecting that this was not made to cater to a white audience in the first place, to me there is a distinct, brief, sweet spot in hip hop history. Sugarhill Gang s "Rapper s Delight" took everyone by surprise in 1979, but then it took several years for rap to catch on in a big way. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five s "The Message" in 1982 was an early breakthrough. Def Jam records started in 1983. Run-DMC s first album was in 1984. L.L. Cool J s in 1985. Electro and break dancing took hold and motion pictures Breakin and Beat Street soon followed. What came in between? Less played these days is the 1979-83 disco rap that I personally find to be real party starters. Leagues away from today s hip hop, the nascent scene had a message from day one, but was distinguished by organic productions based on actual musicians (!) amid accessible disco and funk loops. Not yet commercial. 10-minute songs. Independent arti