Funky 4 +1 make Hip-Hop History
On February 14th, 1981, the world watched hip-hop history in the making when Funky 4 + 1 became the first hip-hop group to appear on national tv.
The group, formed in The Bronx in 1976, was picked by the host of that week’s show, Debbie Harry, to appear alongside her on Saturday Night Live that evening. Funky 4 + 1 comprised K.K. Rockwell, Keith Keith, Sha Rock, Rahiem of the Furious Five, Li’l Rodney C. and Jazzy Jeff.
They were pioneers of the hip-hop scene, having gained notoriety with their hit single, “That’s the Joint”, an epic 9-minute track from the iconic Sugarhill Records label. The group’s blend of rap, funk, soul, and disco inspired many of the hip-hop acts that followed.
That’s The Joint
The story of how Funky 4 + 1 became the first hip-hop group to appear on national tv is down to one person, Debbie Harry. Hip-Hop was so new that the producers of SNL agreed despite not really knowing what to expect.
“They let us pick a musical guest to be on with us,” he said. “The people on the show were so nervous about them doing it. I remember trying to explain to them how scratching worked. Trying to verbalize what that is for someone who has no idea, it’s really difficult.”
Chris Stein, Blondie’s guitarist.
The group performed their big hit “That’s The Joint,” which has since been sampled by numerous notable Hip Hop artists such as Beastie Boys, EPMD and De La Soul. Funky 4 + 1’s represented the Bronx’s vibrant and diverse music community, and their Saturday Night Live performance was a seminal moment in hip-hop history.
The groups appearance paved the way for many other hip-hop acts to take the stage and make their mark. The whole of Hip-Hop owes a debt of gratitude to Funky 4 + 1 for helping bring this new exciting music to the masses.
That’s The Legacy
As well as the honour of being the first Hip-Hop group to appear on national TV, the Funky 4 +1 are also the first rap act to get a record deal. Sha Rock, widely considered the first female rapper, never realized at the time how integral they were to the culture.
“We were just doing what we wanted to do for the love of Hip Hop. We were like ghetto-fabulous back then. We were also like stars in our own neighborhood. For us, it wasn’t about the money. It was for the accolades. Whenever you out in the street, they’d be like, ‘That’s Sha Rock. When’s your next show? You’re the baddest female.'”
Sha Rock
‘That’s The Joint’ became Funky 4 + 1’s signature song and is frequently cited as influential early hip hop record borrowing from disco, funk and jazz. Rolling Stone listed “That’s the Joint” at number 288 on their updated list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time in September 2021. It is also listed on The Pitchfork 500 and as 47th best hip hop song of all time by Rolling Stone.
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