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".
