Grandmaster Flash (born Joseph Saddler on January 1, 1958) is an American hip hop recording artist and DJ. He is considered to be one of the pioneers of hip hop music, having helped to popularize the genre in the 1970s.
Born in Barbados, Grandmaster Flash began his career as a DJ in the Bronx in the early 1970s. His skillful use of two turntables and a mixer, along with his innovative scratching and mixing techniques, made him a popular figure in the local hip hop scene. He was one of the first DJs to use the technique of cutting and mixing records together, which would later become a staple of hip hop production.
Grandmaster Flash and his crew, the Furious Five, released their first single, "Superrappin'," in 1979. The single was a success, and they released a full-length album, The Message, in 1982. The album would become an iconic hip hop record, and its lead single, "The Message," is widely considered to be one of the greatest hip hop songs of all time.
In the years that followed, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five released several more albums, including the groundbreaking The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel (1981), which featured the first recorded use of sampling. The group disbanded in 1985, and Grandmaster Flash pursued a solo career. He released his debut solo album, They Said It Couldn't Be Done, in 1985. The album featured guest appearances from Run-D.M.C. and the Fat Boys, and spawned the hit single "White Lines (Don't Do It)."
In the late 1980s, Grandmaster Flash continued to release albums and tour the world. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, becoming the first hip hop artist to be honored in such a way. He has since released several albums, including The Bridge: Concept of a Culture (2009) and The Source (2016).
Grandmaster Flash is widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in hip hop history. He has been credited with popularizing the genre, and his innovative use of turntables and sampling techniques has been highly influential. He has had a lasting impact on hip hop culture, and his music has been sampled and covered by numerous other artists.
