Grandmaster Flash: Rock n Roll Hall of Fame Class of 2007

Rock Hall Bio: http://rockhall.com/inductees/grandmaster-flash-and-the-furious-five/bio/

Grandmaster Flash is a hip hop pioneer that created the first crossfader, the backspin, scratching, and punch phrasing. He began DJing after high school and was the first to use two turntables. Flash formed his own group in the mid-70s, which eventually became the Furious Five. According to legend, one of the Furious Five coined the term hip hop while imitating the cadence of marching soldiers.

They signed their first record deal in 1979.

Superappin' (1979): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7L_YHWQMFu4

Freedom (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hFh8baehGpE

The Birthday Party (1980): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdKwEVT1_9U

The first scratching on record:

The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel (1981):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXNzMVLqIHg

Showdown w/Sugarhill Gang (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-wnuo10rtY

It's Nasty (1981): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9nCn-e9uvrU

Their signature hit. The video received MTV play.

The Message (1982): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4o8TeqKhgY

New York New York (1983): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z2kpDqMGyzA

The group broke up over money disputes. They have reunited on occasion since. Grandmaster Melle Mel led the group for a time.

Vice (1985): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=badRbIYNinQ

Grandmaster Flash now has a clothing line and hosts a satellite radio show.