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Don't Stop the Beat

Hip-hop pioneer Grandmaster Flash talks about his new memoir and the state of music today.

By Jessica Bennett | Newsweek Web Exclusive

Jun 24, 2008 | Updated: 3:37 p.m. ET Jun 24, 2008

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Discuss

Posted By: good conscience @ 08/20/2008 10:57:25 AM

Comment: Countless years ago I took my middle-school age son to a great Battle of the Bands concert in Houston, becasue he was crazy about break-dancing and rap. We saw Grand Master Flash and the Furious Five, and they were fantastic and unforgettable. We still talk about that concert today and how grateful we are for the chance to have seen them play. They created such a great, unique sound and one that's every bit as relevant today. We bow to you Flash, you are so awesome. And I'm so glad that you're writing your story. You've done something great by not allowing your past to prevent you from high achievement. And please, ignore that tiny voice coming from under a rock named fedorovingtonboop, he-she-its arrogance is surpassed only by his-her-its ignorance and jealousy.
Posted By: fedorovingtonboop @ 06/26/2008 6:33:16 PM

Comment: a scientist?! what an arrogant idiot. you take a record THAT SOMEONE ELSE MADE and then make stupid noises with them. WOW you're amazing
Posted By: EE7011 @ 06/26/2008 12:24:27 PM

Comment: I was at a club recently and the DJ played "Apache" and literally the whole room got up and started dancing. It seemed like everyone was having a great time! Hip-hop music today just doesn't give me that feeling.
Posted By: FATJOEY @ 06/25/2008 3:07:45 PM

Comment: hiphop isn't music!
- Posted By: Just Us Plz! @ 06/27/2008 18:32:47
  
  Comment: Your right Hip Hop isnt music it is a culture, rap is the music, hip hop combines 4 elements!
- Posted By: TheVigil @ 06/25/2008 15:16:53
  
  Comment: Yes, what with all that noise, and that gyrating. Speaking of which, that "Elvis" character with all his hooting and hollering has got to go, too. Come to think of it, we'd better get rid of all the jazz clubs selling that demon liquor as well.
  
  Don't be surprised if you wake up one day and find that history has completely passed you by.
Posted By: Stormcrow @ 06/25/2008 11:53:13 AM

Comment: Interesting article. I am happy to see someone getting credit for their work in a field that was non-existent at the time. GMF is truly a pioneer. Although I think hip-hop is embarrassing (just looking at the rented cars, jewelry, grills and out of shape posse members flopping around on stage hollering: "yo yo yo" makes me laugh.) I think it is a strong example of how success can come from anywhere. Especially here in America!
Posted By: properusageofenglish @ 06/25/2008 10:55:02 AM

Comment: PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MYINTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...PIQUED MY INTEREST...
Posted By: techresmgt @ 06/25/2008 9:31:00 AM

Comment: Odd, uninteresting, and overdone piece of journalism. What do we care what DJ's have to say? Why is their opinion so compelling and to whom? Everyone has a tough life; but we keep hearing the same, old, tired versions of the same thing.
- Posted By: Emanuel @ 06/25/2008 10:15:11
  
  Comment: You are clueless. Why come to this article and make comments about something that you know nothing about? In case you have been living in a cave for the past 30 years, Hip Hop has grown to the top selling genre of music worldwide. GrandMaster Flash is one of the founding fathers of this transcendent style of music. Much of what people consider to be Hip Hop music today doesn't even compare to the brilliant works of GrandMaster Flash, KRS One, Eric B & Rakim, LL Cool J, Public Enemy and many more.
  
  His opinion is compelling to me because his perpsective on how music has evolved is relevant.
  
  Words of advice to you: if you know nothing, say nothing.
  - Posted By: ackridgek @ 06/25/2008 10:30:10
    
    Comment: You obviously know hiphop's culture, and history, the idiot who commented first should know that it's best for people to think you're a fool, then to make a stupid comment and remove all doubt.
    - Posted By: stematwork @ 06/25/2008 13:29:26
      
      Comment: dude...you left out tribe!
      
      great article