Grandmaster Flash

Saddler’s interest in DJing grew out of his obsession with his father’s record collection, and was aided by his ability to repair electronic equipment after moving to the Bronx, New York, U.S. with his family. As a teenager Saddler studied the styles of Pete Jones, Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flowers among others, and was later credited with creating and mastering DJ techniques of Backspin or quick-mix, punch phrasing and perfecting the art of scratching.

Flash began collaborating in the 1970s, eventually forming Grandmaster Flash and the 3 MCs in 1977. The line-up consisted of Cowboy (Keith Wiggins), Melle Mel (Melvin Glover) and Kid Creole (Nathaniel Glover). Cowboy is credited with creating the term hip hop after repeating the term in the rhythm of a soldier’s match and using it in a song. In a similar innovative move Melle Mel was the first rapper to call himself “MC” short for Master of Ceremony. Rapper Rahiem (Guy Todd Williams) and Scorpio (Eddie Morris) later joined to complete the line-up of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

It didn’t take long for the group to earn a legendary status around the New York City area, notably for Flash’s peerless DJ skills and the Five’s lyrical mastery. The group signed with Bobby Robinson’s Enjoy Records in 1979 and released their debut single “Superrappin’” the same year. In 1980 the group signed to Sugar Hill Records and began releasing regular singles including “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel” (1981) – highlighting the unrivalled skills of the DJ as he mixed songs by Blondie, Michael Viner’s Incredible Bongo Band, Queen and Chic.

Flash and the Five subsequently opened for the Clash and released their debut album “The Message” in 1982. An innovative album, “The Message” introduced hip-hop as a source of social commentary with Melle Mel producing a career defining rap, and arguably in-turn defining rap as an art.

In 1983, following the release of “White Lines” Melle Mel, left Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5, after which Flash released the solo albums “They Said It Couldn’t Be Done” in 1995, “The Source” in 1996, and “Da Bop Boom Bang” in 1987. The original line-up returned later in 1987 to play a charity show at Madison Square Gardens, New York and release the album “On the Strength” in 1988. In 1994 Flash and the Five embarked on a iconic rap tour alongside Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C. among others and appeared on Duran Duran’s version of “White Lines”. Flash has subsequently released the mix albums “The Official Adventures of Grandmaster Flash” and “Essential Mix: Classic Edition” in 2002.