master gee of the sugarhill gang

Master Gee, a pioneering emcee, is a founding member of The Sugarhill Gang, the iconic American hip-hop group responsible for releasing ‘Rapper’s Delight,’ the first rap single to achieve Top 40 status on the Billboard Hot 100. Prior to forming the group, Master Gee established himself as an energetic emcee within the trailblazing Phase 2 hip-hop crew. In 1979, he, alongside Henry ‘Big Bank Hank’ Jackson and Michael ‘Wonder Mike’ Wright, was discovered by producer Sylvia Robinson, who assembled them to form The Sugarhill Gang. That same year, the group released ‘Rapper’s Delight,’ which soared to number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 by January 12, 1980, becoming a seminal track widely recognized as one of the most significant rap songs of all time.

That same year, they performed ‘Rapper’s Delight’ on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, reaching a wide national audience. Most recently, in 2023, Master Gee showcased his enduring performance prowess at a high-profile halftime show for the Arizona Cardinals vs. Baltimore Ravens NFL game. He remains a dynamic and highly sought-after artist, continuing to captivate audiences with his iconic contributions to hip-hop.