The Sugarhill Gang

The Sugarhill Gang is an American hip-hop group formed in Englewood, New Jersey, in 1979. Their hit "Rapper's Delight", released the same year they were formed, was the first rap single to become a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> reaching a peak position of number 36 on January 12, 1980.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This was the trio's only U.S. hit, though they would have further success in Europe until the mid-1980s. The trio reformed in 1994 and embarked on a world tour in 2016.

History

Formation and early years

The members, all from Englewood, New Jersey, consisted of Henry "Big Bank Hank" Jackson, Michael "Wonder Mike" Wright and Guy "Master Gee" O'Brien. The three were assembled into a group by producer Sylvia Robinson, who founded Sugar Hill Records with her husband, record producer Joe Robinson.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The group and the record company were named after the Sugar Hill, Harlem neighborhood.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Their 1979 hit "Rapper's Delight" was the first rap single to become a top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. "Rapper's Delight" is now considered one of the most important rap songs of all time. The group never had another top 40 U.S. hit, though it had multiple European hits, such as "Apache", "8th Wonder" (which was performed on the American music show Soul Train in 1981), "Rapper's Reprise (Jam Jam)", and "Showdown" (with the Furious Five). The trio wound down over the next five years and disbanded in 1985.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Later years

The Sugarhill Gang on Tour, 2016

In 1990, the group briefly reunited to perform during the "RapMania: The Roots of Rap" concert at the Apollo Theater in New York City.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Joey Robinson, Sylvia Robinson's son, reformed the Sugarhill Gang in 1994.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The group recorded Jump On It!, a hip hop children's album, in 1999.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> O'Brien had not rejoined the group, and at some point, Robinson started performing under O'Brien's stage name "Master Gee". This frustrated O'Brien and Wright, the latter of whom—as Robinson's bandmate—had tried to convince Robinson not to use the name.<ref name=":0">Template:Citation</ref> Later, Robinson trademarked both the names "Master Gee" and "Wonder Mike". O'Brien and Wright went to court to retrieve the rights to their names.<ref name=":0" /><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Wright left Sugar Hill Records in 2005, along with his colleague, producer Henry "Hen Dogg" Williams.<ref name=":0" /> The two reunited with O'Brien and started performing as "Rapper's Delight Featuring Wonder Mike and Master Gee".<ref name=":1" /> This was due to Joey Robinson's performing with Jackson under the name "Sugarhill Gang" simultaneously, and Sugar Hill Records claiming copyright to that name.<ref name=":0" />

Having reacquired the rights to the name "Sugarhill Gang", the group released "Lala Song" with French record producer and DJ Bob Sinclar in 2009.

On November 11, 2014, Jackson died at the age of 58 after a long battle with cancer.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2016, Wright, O'Brien and Williams embarked on their first world tour in over a decade under the name the Sugarhill Gang. During this time they performed as the Sugarhill Gang for the Art of Rap festival tour and at V Festival in Hylands Park and Weston Park in the UK. Other places included the Clockenflap Festival in Hong Kong on November 27, 2016, and they headlined at the Depot in the Park Festival in Cardiff, United Kingdom on August 5, 2017. In July 2019, they played the North Nibley Festival in England.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Archived at GhostarchiveTemplate:Cbignore and the Wayback MachineTemplate:Cbignore: Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2019, the Sugarhill Gang celebrated the 40th anniversary of the release of "Rapper's Delight" and the group's formation. They went on a worldwide tour called Rapper's Delight 40th Anniversary World Tour. The gang made new music in early 2019. The tour lasted from May 24 to July 26, 2019.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 25, 2019, the group performed "Rapper's Delight" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!.<ref>Template:Cite web

The group played the halftime show at the Arizona Cardinals vs Baltimore Ravens game on October 29, 2023</ref>

As of 2024, the group consists of Wright, O'Brien, Williams, DJ T-Dynasty and Bar Shon "Ethiopian King".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since 2025, Wright has been unable to travel and therefore no longer tours with the group.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Discography

The discography of the Sugarhill Gang includes five studio albums, nine compilations and fifteen singles.

Studio albums

Title	Album details	Peak chart positions
		US <ref name="Billboard 200">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US R&B <ref name="R&B/Hip-Hop Albums">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	AUS <ref name="Kent">Template:Cite book</ref>	NLD <ref name="Dutch Charts">Template:Cite web</ref>	NZ <ref name="NZ Charts">Template:Cite web</ref>
Sugarhill Gang	Released: 1980 Label: Sugar Hill	—	32	92	17	—
8th Wonder	Released: 1981 Label: Sugar Hill	50	15	—	—	44
Rappin' Down Town	Released: 1983 Label: Sugar Hill	—	—	—	—	—
Livin' in the Fast Lane	Released: 1984 Label: Sugar Hill	—	—	—	—	—
Jump On It!	Released: 1999 Label: Kid Rhino	—	—	—	—	—
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilation albums

• Sugarhill Gang Greatest Hits (1984)
• Boyz from Da Hill (1994)
• Ain't Nothin' but a Party (1998)
• Hip Hop Anniversary Europe Tour: Sugarhill Gang Live (2008)

Singles

Title	Year	Peak chart positions										Certifications	Album
		US <ref name="Billboard Hot 100">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	US R&B <ref name="R&B/Hip-Hop Songs">Template:Cite magazine</ref>	AUS <ref name="Kent" />	BEL (FL) <ref name="Belgian Charts">Template:Cite web</ref>	CAN <ref name="RPM">RPM singles chart positions: "Rapper's Delight": Template:Cite magazine</ref>	GER <ref name="German Charts">Template:Cite web</ref>	NLD <ref name="Dutch Charts" />	NZ <ref name="NZ Charts" />	SWI <ref name="Swiss Charts">Template:Cite web</ref>	UK <ref name="UK Charts">Template:Cite web</ref>
"Rapper's Delight"	1979	36	4	37	2	1	3	2	18	2	3	BPI: Platinum<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Sugarhill Gang
"Rapper's Reprise"	1980	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"8th Wonder"		82	15	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		8th Wonder
"Apache"	1981	53	13	—	33	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Showdown" (credited as The Furious Five meets The Sugarhill Gang)		—	49	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"The Lover in You"	1982	—	55	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	54		Rappin' Down Town
"The Word Is Out"	1983	—	71	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Be a Winner"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Kick It Live from 9 to 5"		—	50	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Livin' in the Fast Lane"	1984	—	78	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		Livin' in the Fast Lane
"Troy" / "Girls"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"The Down Beat"	1985	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—		rowspan="2" Template:N/A
"Work, Work the Body"		—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—
"Lala Song" (credited as Bob Sinclar featuring The Sugarhill Gang)	2009	—	—	—	9	—	55	7	—	68	—		Born in 69
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

See also

• List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States

External links

• Template:Allmusic
• Sugarhill Gang playlist on WaveCat
• "I Want My Name Back" documentary on the Sugar Hill Gang, Featuring Master Gee and Wonder Mike
• Master Gee interview
• The Sugarhill Gang – Rapper's Delight (Official Video)