In addition to spearheading a new generation of female MC's, this Queensbridge legend pioneered the diss and answer record era with the groundbreaking "Roxanne's Revenge" which birthed over two dozen answers to UTFO's gargantuan hit "Roxanne, Roxanne". Shante is also responsible for the embryonic beginnings of Marley Marl's Juice Crew collective, giving foundational members Biz Markie and MC Shan their early starts on her tours. Check her out on Have A Nice Day on LL COOL J's Rock The Bells Radio.
MC Lyte is the first female MC to release a full length rap album with 1988's Lyte As A Rock. Lyte is also the first rap artist to play the prestigious Carnegie Hall. In addition to releasing at least six studio albums Lyte has worked with artists as diverse as Big Daddy Kane, Sinead O'Connor, Positive K, and Brandy. Lyte is a voiceover artist, actress, and she continues to release new music.
Big Daddy Kane hit the scene in 1987 with his mentor the late Biz Markie. Kane was immediately in a class of his own after a few strategically released singles and his 1988 debut album Long Live The Kane. Songs like “Ain’t No Half Steppin’” and “Set It Off” immediately cemented Kane as a titan in the “next school” of M.C’s who were starting to dominate the golden era of rap music. Kane’s energetic stage show and style of dress set him apart from his counterparts and he was one of few at the time who could successfully juggle the task of remaining street credible and crafting songs that served his female fanbase which had declared him a sex symbol.
The Cold Crush Brothers released several recordings in the early to mid '80s including "The Weekend" on Elite Records, and a string of recordings on Aaron Fuch's Tuff City label. "Punk Rock Rap," "Heartbreakers," and their most celebrated record "Fresh, Wild, Fly & Bold" all kept the group's name alive, but the magic of the group was in their live performances. Their routines which included heavy harmonizing, many times based on already existing pop records separated the group from their contemporaries. Check them out in Hip-Hop's first movie Wild Style.
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