Here’s some real “old-school” for everyone out there. Featuring the Sugar Hill Gang and Rappers Delight. The Sugar Hill Gang were a trio of Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank and the one the call the Master Gee. Tavis Smiley just did a terrific show about them this past week that was really interesting.
I recently went through my collection of “old school” rap records from the Sugar Hill gang label and it was a fantastic trip down memory lane as I’m still on my personal journey of converting from vinyl to digital.
Of course, rap music has been around for decades before the Sugar Hill Gang came on the scene, but this is probably the group that commercialized it to a point that everyone got off their behinds and started dancing to rhythm of the bang bang boogie beat of the rap music genre. Also, everything seemed so innocent and tame by today’s standards of rap music (which I still really enjoy with my collections of Blowfly, Kurtis Blow, Millie Jackson, 50 Cent, Snoop Dog, Dr. Dre, Biggie Smalls and Tupac albums). The most un-politically correct lyric in Rappers Delight was when they sang “if your girl starts acting up, then you take her friend”. (Smile!) None of the degrading lyrics of today’s rap music. This generation can learn a few things from what we’ve all come through!
There were a lot of other great groups with the Sugar Hill label with their hits such as The Sequence (Fi-Ya Up That Funk, Simon Says, And You Know That) , Funky 4+1 (That’s The Joint), Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (The Message, It’s Nasty – The Genius of Love, Showdown) and Spoonie Gee (Monster Jam).
Okay “old school” friends out there… this one’s for you!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tAnojTvyc0g
James Donaldson is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the NBA with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks, and Utah Jazz. He also played for several teams in the European Leagues in Spain, Italy, and Greece, and he toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an NBA All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac-10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame. In 2010, James was elected as a board member for the NBA Retired Players Association.
James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, and youth groups.
In 2010, James was the recipient of the NBA Legends of Basketball ABC Award, awarded for outstanding contributions in Athletics–Business–Community.
He believes in being a role model for success and professionalism to the scores of young people to whom he devotes so much of his time. He currently serves on several boards and committees and is a member of many organizations.
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win-Win” environment for everyone involved, and in being the best he can be!
For more information about James Donaldson or to request he speak at your event, contact him at:
www.StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
JamesD@StandingAboveTheCrowd.com
1-800-745-3161 (voicemail & fax)
James Donaldson is the author of “Standing Above The Crowd” and “Celebrating Your Gift of Life” and founder of the Your Gift of Life Foundation which focuses on mental health awareness and suicide prevention, especially pertaining to our school aged children and men.
If you’re interested in having James come and speak to your group of young adults, business entrepreneurs, aspiring political and community leaders, and athletic teams, please contact him at jamesd@yourgiftoflife.org and or leave a personal message for him at 1-800-745-3161. Keep up with him and read about how he is reaching out and making a difference in the lives of so many around the world at www.yourgiftoflife.org
