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Mel became known as Grandmaster Melle Mel and the leader of the Furious Five. [2] The group went on to produce the anti-drug song " White Lines (Don't Don't Do It) ". [ 2 ] An unofficial music video starred up-and-coming actor Laurence Fishburne [ 4 ] and was directed by then-unknown film student Spike Lee .
The song was first written in 1980 by rappers Duke Bootee and Melle Mel in response to the 1980 New York City transit strike, which is mentioned in the song's lyrics. [3] "The Message" was an early prominent hip hop song to provide social commentary. The song's lyrics describe the stress of inner-city poverty.
Apart from the singles and the Thank You album, the song also appeared as a B-side on the first single from the album, "Perfect Day". A black-and-white music video was shot in January 1995 by Nick Egan, [22] featuring Duran Duran, Melle Mel, and the Furious Five performing the song accompanied by breakdancers and people in skeleton masks.
Melle Mel: When we did “White Lines,” that was right before the group had broken up, and I was telling the rest of the guys, “Listen, this song is going to be a smash… we'll be leaving on ...
Label: Castle Music — — — — 1999 The Showdown: The Sugarhill Gang Vs. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. Released: February 2, 1999; Label: Rhino Records / Warner-Elektra-Atlantic — — — — 2005 Essential Cuts. Released: June 27, 2005; Label: Union Square Music — — — — 2006 Grandmaster Flash, Melle Mel and the Furious ...
Melle Mel, whose group Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five is credited with releasing hip-hop’s first politically conscious song “The Message” in 1982, provides a scathing verse that pleads ...
The song peaked at #4 in the R&B chart and #62 in the pop chart, and established hip-hop's credibility in mainstream music. Other than Melle Mel, however, no members of the group (except for background vocals at the end) actually feature on the record.
Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five was released in 1984 by Sugarhill Records after the split between Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel. For this album, Melle Mel kept the group name 'the Furious Five' (although the line-up had changed) and used the title 'Grandmaster'. Rappers Cowboy and Scorpio left with Melle Mel although Mel's brother ...