In 1985 rapper L.L. Cool J (You can read
more about him
here)
released
Radio on Def Jam and Doug E. Fresh and MC
Ricky D released "The Show" and it's B-side "La-Di-Da-Di".
It was in response to "The Show" that female rappers
Supernature ") soon to become Salt-N-Pepa) made their
recording debut, "The Show Stoppa (Is Stupid Fresh)".
A fall-out dis on Doug E. Fresh and MC Ricky D, the song caused
quite a sensation. 1985 was also the year that hip hop pioneer
Melle Mel appeared on the Grammys.
"Radio"
Released in 1985, Radio was a huge hit. Working with Def Jam
founder and producer Rick Rubin, L.L. Cool J created a rap
record with a huge beat, clever rhymes and pop undertones.
Fueled in large part by the hit singles "I Can't Live
Without My Radio" and "Rock The Bells", the
album went on the achieve Platinum status (a first for the
fledgling label) and rapper L.L. Cool J was catapulted into
the spotlight.
"The Show"
Hip-hop duo Doug E. Fresh and MC Rick D reportedly met at
a rap contest in 1984. A short time later, the two were performing
together. The pairing of clever rhymes (delivered with an
English accent by London-born MC Ricky D) with amazing human
beat box skills (courtesy of Doug E. Fresh) was an irresistible
combination. When "The Show" was released on Reality
Records and its B-side "La-Di-Da-Di" made it to
the airwaves, they were immediate hits.
Melle Mel's Grammy Appearance
In 1985, two years after Melle Mel's groundbreaking rap on
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five's "The Message",
the rap pioneer appeared with Chaka Khan on the Grammys acknowledged
rap music, Melle Mel's appearance on national television was
a nod in that direction.
Supernature
This poster is from the 1985 Trenton Fresh Festival, an event
featuring up-and-coming female rappers Supernature (later
known as Salt-N-Pepa), who had been invited on the strength
of their daring hit single "The Show Stoppa". Produced
by Marley Marl, this ingle bluntly dissed well-established
rappers Doug E. Fresh and MC Ricky D's hit "The Show".
