FIRST TIME HEARING- Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message (REACTION)

[@dextersfinest175]

"A child is born with no state of mind. Blind to the ways of mankind. God is smiling on you but he's frowning too because only God knows what you'll go through..."

[@renzo7503]

💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾💪🏾

[@brickjones3831]

This actual song has been archived in the Library of Congress a Pillar Indeed the definition of a Hip Hop Classic

[@johnmelville9300]

Poetry

[@DoubleMonoLR]

There's at least a dozen hip-hop songs there now.

[@henrymann8122]

I am 56 years old and It's interesting to find these young folks just now listening to music I grew up in Long Island, N.Y so many years ago . Keeping real hip hop alive.

[@R-L-I]

This was one of the first “hood” songs, back then they called it “reality rap”. Keep in mind before this most rap was basically party songs (to the hip hop hippity hippity hop etc) but this one actually told the tale of what was REALLY going on in the streets at the time. It became so popular eventually starting a whole new era of rappers talking about real life, this song marked a seminal point in hip hop, it will always be a classic for that reason.

[@scottharm3932]

Before this song, hip hop was not really anything more than a sub genre of disco. You can even hear that influence in the Message. The hard hitting words changed it all. Melle Mel never gets his due but he's up there with the very best

[@scottharm3932]

@@Gevixel Lol, Cool Herc wasn't the inventor of hip hop, nobody was the single inventor of hip hop. The big majority of the records they used back in the 70s, before it ever went commercial, was disco.

[@joedivision7148]

You're right. Even when stuff like nwa came along. This is what help pave the way and gave people a voice to show reality of the times. It reached far and wide.

[@realhiphopfan1689]

All facts .. and he was really spittin

[@empire7179]

@@scottharm3932 You know that's what I say!! Cool Herc wasn't the inventor of hip-hop.. I'm from Brooklyn. The same thing that was going on in the Bronx was happening in Brooklyn and all over New York. I know I'm 65 years old I was there. Really the first person I heard Rap was DJ Hollywood from the Bronx. Cool Herc was only like 15 or 16? He was too young to get into clubs at that time.

[@casinolife7534]

You’re realizing what we’ve been telling the youngsters that HipHop was Amazing then, plus everything was BRAND new, you couldn’t bite or else your Rap Career was OVER! Peace

[@purplebeard1526]

Facts on the not biting comment. Everyone had to be different back in the day, with rhymes, music/beats, look...all of it... Even styles.... you could be gangster, party, reality, educational, club... any style you wanted and as long as the rhymes and beats were good you wouldn't get too much flak.

[@skillz9549]

I always use Nelly as an example. Not the greatest rapper but he got an A for originality…

[@ldybozz]

Facts! This is why I get so mad at the way rap is today. It's like disrespecting the pioneers that started this. And the struggle they went thru. to get this out to the world.

[@djfingersflores]

@@ldybozz word up !

[@o.d.b.5344]

That’s not true. Plenty of rappers copied they’re styles from other people and got away with it. Ice Cube and Bone Thugs are an example of big biters.

[@triplep6062]

I'm 48 and like seeing the younger generation learn about classic rap and the Hip Hop culture but it's mainly limited to the 90's. You have exposed yourself to one of the best MC'S of that time Melly Mel, and the first known reality rap. Please continue to get into more artist from the 80's to present to the younger generation because our history( Hip Hop culture) hardly gets passed down by those with a platform and is largely forgotten! Thank you and Keep diggin in the "digital " creates!

[@dman221]

I am 56 and I concur….I was more of an R&B but when I first heard the MESSAGE. It was like it was speaking my life at the time. I listened to the words and it was a message that led me on a different path. I entered one of HBCU schools (Virginia Union) at the time Charles Oakley was a freshman. The parties on campus was fire 🔥….We had 3 DJs at the time. They started off with some Soul Sonic Force. We had that place shaking.

[@franchisesapa7790]

47 born and raised in NYC. Salute survivor

[@7Eightyone]

Me too. We were 9 when this came out. Liked it but didn't know how deep it was until years later.

[@mycustardlove4168]

The "a child is born" verse still gives me goosebumps, and I've been listening since it dropped. One of the best verses ever, love beat Street breakdown

[@yusaidit5311]

Honestly i think that verse and even the song as a whole has a spot on the top 3 of all time

[@merciless41582]

People don't realize how influential, important, and legendary this song is. It was without a doubt, the most important hip hop song of all time. Way ahead of its time. The first conscious hip hop song,These guys are telling you a dark story of how New York City was back in those days. We seen a lot of it in Taxi Driver (1976), but when the 80's came the crack epidemic hit. A lot of the legendary rappers/rap pioneers like Too Short, Nas, Rakim, Ice Cube, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane, amongst others have credited this song as the song that influenced them to rap.

[@egilskallagrimsson2941]

That moment you realize they were better rappers in 1982 than 99% of them in 2021.

[@pmidaz]

i think melle mel said in a interview that he wrote that last verse at 16/17 years old makes it even more amazing all time classic song and still relevent in todays world

[@2apocalypsex]

People seem to forget that a lot of these MCs from the 70s and 80s were in their late teens to early 20's when they were making these songs back in the day.

[@smokezilla13.]

This was the blue print. Moe Dee , Mel, Cass kicked the door in lyrically. The birthed Rakim, Kane, GRap and Krs

[@blueray7176]

Melle Mels last verse is the cornerstone of hiphop. Best verse ever. Salute young brotha.

[@FSVR54]

This is the best pre-Rakim hip hop song imo. Legendary!!

[@ADJones-vy5hs]

This definitely a pillar for what was to come. For guys my age and such Mella Mel is one the forefathers in which substance was injected into the rhyme. GrandMaster Caz, Mel, and Kool Moe Dee are the holy trinity of the real MCs. Good job bruh.

[@PersonnetaimeGuy]

When it comes to greatest MC’s of all-time, Melle Mel is not in my Top 5. You can’t rank a god amongst mortals.

[@AngelRivera-de1lq]

THE CLASSIC. Amazingly ahead of its time for 82, rap wouldn't be the same without it for sure. I listen to it still from time to time, and it has aged beautifully of you ask me. Still brutally honest. Nice reaction, as usual 💚 Edit: Just realized it'll have been 40 years come January, and people still haven't paid attention to The Message and tried to make a change. Insanity. We need to take things back like u said for sure.

[@justkaz1985]

@ 7:02- "A child was born with no state of mind, blind to the ways of mankind. Gods smiling on you but he's frowning too, because only God knows what you go through"... Such a powerful line! Check out: Brand Nubian- "A Child Is Born", it uses this line as the hook in the track. Dope! Side Note: This track is featured on the "Soul In The Hole" soundtrack. This entire soundtrack is a "classic"!🔥✊🏾

[@jowhit226]

Dayumn, that's crazy that you mention soul in the hole I was listening to the Wu-All Stars single from that soundtrack a couple of hours ago

[@bamnjphoto]

This was right after heroin destroyed parts of the black community and a few years before crack came

[@subymanvince]

This was the song that made me fall completely in love with hip hop. Melle Melle's verse gave me chills at 9!

[@uncle_thulhu]

Before Rage Against the Machine, before Public Enemy, there was Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

[@derrellconnor693]

At the age of 53, this is still my favorite Hip-Hop song of all time. It's also the greatest verse of all time (Melle Mell's 2nd verse), one of the greatest beats of all time, from one of the greatest Hip-Hop groups of all time (first rap group inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame) and arguably the greatest Hip-Hop record of all time. Timeless classic.

[@sonnyireson5400]

I’m 16, and I’ve known this song for a very long time, 10+ years maybe, it’s still one of my all time favs

[@beoriginalallah3745]

Mele Mel is the G.O.A.T…. Check out his second verse on the “Beat Street” song…. “A newspaper burns in the sand, and headline reads, Man destroys Man”….

[@bagley232]

these bars are classic nuff said

[@scottharm3932]

Melle Mel had a lot of great verses on many songs, he was many years ahead of his time

[@TheDreamtheaterlover]

Don’t be a slave to no computer is his best verse

[@lovehate8286]

That last verse is out of the GREATEST verses of all time. Period.

[@angelojohnson3948]

This is where hip hop came from. With time things change, but this Is forever.

[@clintongray5065]

Ok youngin now you just entered into the essence of hiphop this was the first of when mc’s started talking about what was going on in the hood were there from this was and will forever be a masterpiece 💪🏾

[@williamwalsh3983]

3:52 On NY State of Mind Nas said, "whenever frustrated, I'ma hijack delta." Must have gotten the inspiration for that line from this song

[@chuck430]

or it could be real life hijacking of Delta 841

[@williamwalsh3983]

@@chuck430 That's possible.

[@dondonsmalls1063]

That’s crazy u called it reality rap, cuz that’s what gangster rap was called before the powers that be coined the phrase “gangsta rap”when N.W.A. came out..👍🏽👍🏽

[@GeronFletcher]

This is literally the first conscious rap song. One of the most important songs in music history

[@robertgibbs2201]

I'm from the Bronx ny we started hip hop..story telling always been in our lyrics

[@levil4012]

This is the BLUEPRINT for just about EVERYTHING that came after in hip hop/rap

[@hjmendoza71]

When I first heard Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5's song The Message it literally blew my f******. At that time I was 11 years old and I remember rewinding the tape over and over to repeat what I just heard. It was this record here that made me fall in love with Hip Hop music and culture. The greatest hip hop song ever

[@robertmatthews9650]

I’ve been waiting for you to get to this one. Many people here will explain how this song laid the foundation for hip hop. And this is all true. But even if you didn’t know this, you know a song is powerful when they have to use words like “sacroiliac” in it to describe painful times. 😁

[@thomasfranco5997]

I am Latino and I have seen in Los Angeles when I would visit my cousins who lived in rough Neighborhoods that were gang infested in the 60's and 70's. Now some are in Prison even my best friend from High School who was very close to my family. Even my father wrote a letter to the judge on how good of a student and athlete in High School he was. He was sentenced for a drive by for life because they killed a rival gang member. I always worked hard to stay off the streets. Sometimes 7 days a week. Now 67 years and retired and enjoying life. I miss all the good times I had with my cousins and my best friend. The Message was the best song about living in the Ghetto Life. Such great talent Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five had.

[@HARLEM430]

It's 40 years later and the cycle is in repeat. The song is the definition of Hip-Hop...

[@yobartenda]

I appreciate you fam. This was the 1st ever rap song that opened my eyes to my neighborhood. Actually broke my innocence in a positive way. I grew up St Bernard projects 7th ward New Orleans. 1979 to this day. Still 7th ward living! Raw and real life we had no internet and only drug dealers had car phones before the beeper. Lol

[@katzenpapa]

Ahmad, another to put it is that the story they are telling in this song timeless AND it even more and more revlenet as time goes on. So, yes, it is WELL ahead of its time.

[@Cheeks_Spot]

Melly Mel last verse is one of my all time favorites ever & still

[@devmiles]

Mel is (one of) the GOATS. When he is rapping he is preaching. He has a voice that grabs attention, loud and clear. Indeed reality rap. This was going on at the time, not a fun time at all. It’s the rap i grew up with. A more than worthy note is that Grandmaster Flash is the inventor of the crossfader.

[@Transcendent-Economics-101]

A more than worthy note is that my favorite track from this era was "The Body Rock" by The Treacherous Three." 😁😅Could NOT wait for Mr. Magic's Disco Showcase to come on at 2:00 am over the weekend back in 1980💞💕

[@DatCaliDude1]

Doesn't Matter When You HEARD IT, as long has you HEARD IT. 🎤

[@ralphfigueroa5307]

This is without a shadow of a doubt the greatest hip-hop song of all time

[@marcomcdowell8861]

I was 8 when I heard this. I grew up in OH and we had a local radio DJ that somehow got Mr. Magic's show in NYC, syndicated. Of course disco, Marvin, O'Jays, James Brown, MJ was either on the radio, on the record player or on an 8-track...yeaaah I feel old. So one day my older cousin comes by and tells us to listen to this weird disco song. We had no idea it was hip-hop, but my old man, uncle and grandfather were all into it. I know 83 was the year I really got into it. We had just picked up b-boying from a kid that moved from Jersey and the teachers thought it was cute watching the little Puerto Rican and black kids spinning on the floor. Looking back, I didn't make the connection to all of it until decades later. Still ain't dressing like Melle Mel though lol

[@chase5047]

Great story

[@lousifei]

Fond memories of being on some kind of duty during basic training at Fort Dix, NJ back in '82 and spontaneously doing a duet rap of this with a guy from NYC. I remember him and a guy from Spanish Harlem being surprised that a white kid from Virginia could hang with those verses. Rapper's Delight came out when I was in middle school and pioneered rap music, but this song was definitely different. It was raw. Like the title says, this song was the first rap song to really have an eye-opening message reflecting what was really going on in American society. Just as powerful now as it was back then.

[@bottomendbliss]

by the last verse the chorus becomes so relatable.

[@dragonriders729]

That final verse has NEVER not given me chills.

[@joelpayne1193]

This rap was brilliant and very coolest ever produced in the world. It was telling all people who were affected by poverty and hard lives. Very important messages from Grandmaster Flash and his gang 😊

[@mjareacts2731]

I'm 48, and growing up in the South Bronx this song got a lot of play around my way back in the day. I was 8 years old when the song came out, and I had seen more people OD off of heroin by that point then I care to remember. Today my children could never imagine the suffering me and my brother went through in the late '70s through the '80s. I've given my children more advantages in life then I knew was possible back in the day, and songs like this tell the unpopular truth that there's nothing glamorous about the street life.

[@56original]

You are a very astute young man.l give u big ups for acknowledging that this song came out during the golden age of hip-hop.Keep learning & teaching the people brother.This cut is one of the pillars of the genre.🙏.

[@skillkraft]

Listen how Melle Mel isn't glorifying the street life he's actually giving you a vivid picture of the reality of what can happen if you don't do the right things in life! Hip Hop in it's origins was meant to uplift the youth, give them a positive outlet and escape the harsh realities of the Ghetto! The landscape of today's music glorifies the negative values of being a street cat, thug drugs, Gangs etc..

[@troymatthews3287]

Melle Mel would say this is the time that hip hop grew up. This is conscious rap

[@musutdmustapha7540]

the Last verse is the best rap verse ever, masterpiece, big thumb up to the legendary melle mel, mad love from ALGERIA 🇩🇿, respect to the pipioneers

Bruh! I was 16 when I first heard "Grandmaster Flash - New York New York" on the radio. I was hit so hard by the last verse even if, as young French, I didn't know much of English, I got the basic message. That got me into Hip-Hop and that spirit has never left me. REPRESENT!

[@IENetworkTV]

Ahmad I want to thank you for being a younging in the game and not judging and not being afraid to learn and listen to the artist that came before these you are a special young man and i love your reaction vids a lot of young kids can learn a lot from you thank you for letting me be a part of this

[@chrisv966]

I say this all the time with each video/song he's reacted to. It's great to hear a real reaction to it, and feel the way we felt when those songs came out. One of my fav. reactors.

[@IENetworkTV]

@@chrisv966 word brother

[@katherineowens3570]

I was lucky to see them live at the Channell in Boston. Good memories!. Still listening in 2021. I was 20 years old in "82". Wish I had a time machine. They were so dope! Old skool classic.

[@patricksimmons3491]

The most important and influential Hip Hop joint in history, to this day!

[@Philasophical_Truth.Wisdom]

Grandmaster Flash was the DJ. He was the one who ACTUALLY CREATED HipHop DJing. And Ahmad, you have to understand, that Melle Mel basically is the FATHER OF ALL complicated rhyme styles that ever existed, because before HIM, NO ONE was rhyming like this. He made & LET people understand that rapping like this was even POSSIBLE. Melle Mel’s DNA 🧬 is in ALL of your GREATEST Rappers to ever live, because prior to him, people were rhyming like “Hippity Hoppa Hip”. We also have to remember, that Rap & HipHop itself was ONLY invented/created just 9yrs prior to this song, in 1973. So this song isn’t the golden age, this song ALLOWED the Golden Age to happen, because it inspired just about ALL of the GREATEST Rappers that will follow.

[@monicamar8616]

Let’s not forget Dj Kool Herc. He is credited for starting hip hop. Grandmaster flesh was quickly inspired by him but it all started with Herc.

[@mauricioh7376]

@@monicamar8616 Yep, 100% and Herc with his Jamaican heritage was inspired by the reggae Dancehall scene.

[@JohnWatts3rd]

DJ Kool Herc

[@vincent5318]

You are correct, but Ed Fletcher aka Duke Bootee is the composer of the song and the group had to be pressured into doing it. Melle Mel only wrote the last verse, which was recycled from a previous song. No other member of the group contributed anything to the song, that includes Flash himself.

[@Philasophical_Truth.Wisdom]

@@vincent5318 composer of the song just means that person wrote the MUSIC, NOT the lyrics. And yes, I’m aware that the Female owner of the label, #SylviaRobinson, had to BEG Melle Mel to finally make that song, because he didn’t want to at first. And as far as the LYRICS go, we all can tell, see & hear that Melle Mel wrote MORE then the last verse. What YOU are speaking on & referencing is the song Melle Mel did with #Blondie (…or was that #ChakaKhan?🤔)

[@ralphodinaka2435]

Broken Language by Smoothe Tha Hustler and Trigga Da Gambler. Santa, make this happen!

[@torreypovich8023]

Yessir... 🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@Del_116]

He ain't ready yet

[@jowhit226]

His head will definitely explode 🤣 every line is a dart

[@JDillagent]

Peace King. This is the greatest Hip Hop joint of all time. Here you have 2 of Hip Hop's legends, Melle Mel konsidered by some to be the greatest Emcee of all time and Grandmaster Flash the inventor of the "scratch" on the tables. Truly the joint that started reality rap. Keep em komin.

[@keepgrindingup7661]

Every line in The Message is PURE FIRE 🔥.

[@mr.culturefreedom2073]

I was 11/12 years old when this dropped. It has stood the test of time. Truly the greatest hip hop song ever.

[@kcameo1]

Oh man, I grew up listening to this song, carrying our ghettoblaster (8 big batteries that powered the thing for 1 day) through the streets of Amsterdam in the early 80s. Still, the A child is born verses of Melle Mell are at least one of the best if not the most influencial pieces to form rap to it's fullest. I've been listening to Run DMC, Public E, Eric B and Rakim, Outkast, The Roots, Dela, Tribe, Wu Tang, Snoop, you name them, but The Message always stayed with me as the root of it all.

[@jjsdad4952]

Ok now I watched. Yo…you have every right to bug the fuck out. This song was on an island as far as lyrical content and flow…for years. And STILL has one of the dopest beats. This has always been in my top 5 ever. Another top five for me, just a couple years after this Whodini - “Five Minutes of Funk”

[@SoldierBoy3064]

they killed it best song... crazy they made this way back then... the beat is beyond 🔥

[@jeffreyharvey9919]

One of the most important songs ever in hip-hop, and sadly, every word of it still applies today. Grandmaster Melle Mel who handles most of the verses on here was the GOAT of the first generation. His song "Beat Street Breakdown" from the movie Beat Street is amazing as well.

[@adublbeatz8656]

Man!! Every verse in the song, is classic for me...Growing up back then, seeing everything they are talking about....speaking on how not to judge the next man or push him too far, because you don't what he has been or currently going through....the struggles....powerful "MESSAGE"....

[@DerekRobinsonTech]

This one is the reason that I look at Hip-Hop and Rap as different genre's. The impact of this song when it dropped was massive, I heard it in cars, at block parties and all over the hood back then. It's influence, perspective and realness can't be underestimated, Shout out to Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five for giving us a classic, that will be in heavy rotation in the playlist of Hip-Hop!

[@John__Dough]

The Essence, true Hip Hop, as real as it gets. Melle Mel is one of the best to do it.

[@karengoodman1678]

THANK YOU FOR RESPECTING THE TRUE ORIGINS OF HIP-HOP. I WAS 10,11: 12 YEARS OLD WHEN THIS CAME OUT…

[@jimlotus4428]

THIS MUSIC IS HOW WE LEARNED AND WE WERE TAUGHT ABOUT LIFE THROUGH THIS MUSIC ,, I GREW UP ON GRAND MASTER FLASH AND WHODINI AND THEY MADE ME A SMARTER BETTER PERSON BECAUSE OF IT .. I NEEDED THIS MUSIC SOO MUCH AND IT WAS WHAT KEPT US LEARNING AND SAFE FROM IGNORANCE .. REALITY RAP ... BEST MUSIC TO LISTEN TOO ;)

[@mr.culturefreedom2073]

Greatest hip hop song ever made. By greatest, I mean #1. Heard this song, and it changed my life. From that day on my culture was hip hop.

[@EastCoastGal66]

1982 was a Great Year and this song is EPIC!

[@mzliz1249]

Ohhhh yeeeeahhh! Now we talking. The message! 🙌🏼🔥

[@cybertaiga9534]

One of the greatest songs ever written- it goes beyond rap and is in fact an anti-thesis to most of things current hip-hop and rap artists talk about. As you say, the last verse is the most powerful section in the "Message". That word play, story-telling and reflection of stark reality is just mind-blowing!

[@joyparry9354]

I saw Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five with Melle Mel in 1982 & just loved them - I am now in my 60s , but whenever I hear them it brings back such wonderful memories .... they were outstanding live! :)

[@Pomdownuder]

Im going on 60, and still remember this coming out, this was still club fave years afterwards. We heard this blasting out of car stereos, ghetto blasters, it was everywhere in South London. Another great one white lines (dont do it)

[@Underdog271]

That Mell last verse is so true. Big ups to you for doing this song 👍🏾

[@omunozl]

One of thee most important songs in HIP HOP. The honesty in the social commentary was so on point.

[@Blair19]

In '82 it didn't matter what genre you were into.. you knew this was epic!. A perfect step into RUN DMC.. Cheers

[@brotherafrika]

Realest ish you ever played. That 3rd verse!

[@hoagsmash4188]

This one of the best/most important songs ever written. It's even in the library of congress. What more can one say about it.

[@Docavelli]

Always love your reactions. Your willingness to learn the history of the culture is amazing. ✌🏾

[@mrme2653]

This is where it all started young brother!!!! Real hip hop

[@Crunchysopa52]

Timeless! you def had to listen to it eventually lol. Melle Mel laid a pioneering blueprint in so many pivotal ways, it's nuts

[@doug8841]

What a classic What a masterpiece What an Anthem This is timeless Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five Decades later and people still don't get the message!!

[@michaelway7936]

For 1982,this was cuttin edge rhymin about what was around the boros,you should check out next: New York, New York(big city of dreams)

[@RocketJr.]

I was 8yo Dutch kid when i heard this rap song for the first time and it was mega-popular all over the world and especially in the west and europe. The first true, not that commercial, real rap song prob alot others heard for the first time ever too. Eventho i didn't know English that well back then, it let me and the rest of the world see a bit what was going on in the ghetto's in america. I can remember as a kid watch the news and showing a house burning down in brooklyn i think because they were too afraid to send a firetruck in there because the firefighters might get attack or something, i got mad and somewhat sad about that when i saw that, thinking how the hell can that happen? Then later when i was older i learned about the slavery and the discrimination afterwards, in u.s. etc... not understanding why there wasn't more respect towards the people who helped building up the ‘god blessed’ america.

[@marcusmessiah19]

One of the most legendary songs , not just hip hop, but any genre of music 🎵.

[@tallgodheru7397]

This is mind-blowing for me just going back to this and i'm f'n 48!! straight FIYAHH

[@camrs125]

This song was groundbreaking…as teens we’d never heard anything like this before…the lyrics are as true today as they was then…the 80’s was by far the best era in music…soul..hip hop..r&b and rap went to a different level in that decade

[@gregorynetus5557]

One of the greatest rap song ever.and storytelling.wow what a legendary song.this song is iconic.i remember watching the video and this song was icing on the cake that made me fall in love with hip hop.word up son

[@jranyc2215]

1982 was a major year for Hip Hop. It was the 1st time that 2 songs were in the Billboard Top 10 the other 1 was Planet Rock by AB & SSF.

[@shawnjackson4868]

Happy to see you react to this King!! That jacket is flames! 🔥

[@KingAhmadTv]

Good looking my guy 🔥🔥✊🏾

[@marvinbennett8384]

Most important hip hop song in history. Being born in 74 that song is like Marvin Gaye" what's going on" for my generation

[@ericdennis3899]

First And Foremost That Belly Jacket Is Fiyaaaaaaaaah Young King 🔥🔥💯💯😄 Yo Ahmad You Just Listened To Hip Hop's First Reality Song From The Streets Perspective This Changed The Game Worldwide And Your Right It Is A Prophecy Great Reaction Ahmad 💯💯❤

[@IamNOTaExpert]

This is one song that was so perfectly titled! 🔥 Bad thing the lyrics still are true in many places, "the place you live and where you stay look like a great big alley way" 🤦🏿‍♂️

[@rb7007]

I can’t believe this is nearly 40 years old! 😯 I was 14! Wow. Seemed like a different world. So glad I experienced it. 🙏🏾

[@City2x]

This is the most important song in rap, and you're right it is prophetic. It's sad. And yeah this is origin of reality in rap. As raw as it gets.

[@TheMattmatic]

”It was plain to see that your life was lost You was cold and your body swung back and forth But now your eyes sing the sad, sad song Of how you lived so fast and died so young”

[@verbone]

That's where my family is from in the BX. I miss the good old days of NYC when it was grimey before it got gentrified. Kinda nice to feel safe now, though lol.

[@trespire]

That last verse was, and still is, so powerful. Who ever wrote it is modern poet. The delivery is truly intense. Im not Black, didn't grow up in an inner city, nor am I even American. Remember when this first aired on TV, really opened my eyes !!

[@bgvan37]

Just love when youngins finally hear our music

[@Touchcinity]

This is why I love real hip hop. Real hip hop always has a message . Google, Is wade in the water. Directions to freedom. Has secret code on how to escape. Probably the 1st hip hop song ever. We know how to communicate through music .