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'Rapper's Delight': How hip-hop got its first record deal

Rap pioneers the Sugarhill Gang (left to right: Wonder Mike, Master G and Big Bank Hank) perform live circa 1979.
Michael Ochs Archives
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Rap pioneers the Sugarhill Gang (left to right: Wonder Mike, Master G and Big Bank Hank) perform live circa 1979.

Hip-hop was born at a party in 1973, but it'd be another six years until the first commercial hip-hop records. People have differing views of it, but the release of "Rapper's Delight" changed history.

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Juana Summers
Juana Summers is a host of NPR's All Things Considered.
Kat Lonsdorf
Kat Lonsdorf is reporter for NPR, often covering national security and international stories. She is based in Washington, D.C.
Patrick Jarenwattananon
Host of NPR Music's A Blog Supreme