Bill Cosby's Cover of "Sgt. Pepper's... Band" is the First Hip-Hop Song

[Hissyspit]

If you don't believe me, track down a copy of 1968's "Hooray for the Salvation Army Band."

I'm serious, the instrumental break of the Beatle's version becomes a typical James Brown-influenced hip-hop break.

No scratching, of course, but also, his band on the album is Watts 103rd St. Rhythm Band, themselves an early hip-hop influence.

[MnFats]

1. Wasn't it a cover of Stevie Wonder's "Up Tight?'

....little old man
....i said hey, why are ya sittin here....
....

[Hissyspit]

2. That was the album before, but I would make the argument that

he is helping to invent Funk on that one.

[last_texas_dem]

3. That sounds interesting

I do have the 45 of "Hooray for the Salvation Army Band" which is an interesting record in itself; basically, "Purple Haze" meets a Salvation Army Band! Good stuff.

I'm partial to Commander Cody's "Hot Rod Lincoln" being the first rap recording, but maybe I'm not totally understanding of what rap is!

[Hissyspit]

4. That's the branch that went off in the direction of white people!

Not only do I remember hearing "Rapper's Delight" on AM radio, I remember hearing "Hot Rod Lincoln" on AM radio!

[misanthrope]

10. The first rap...

...(as far as I'm concerned) was Bob Dylan's "Subterranean Homesick Blues" and it preceded Cosby's thing by a few years.

[Indy_Dem_Defender]

5. Hear you go

http://cosbyheartsclubband.ytmnd.com/

This is some funny stuff

[Hissyspit]

8. Thanks!

I've got it on cassette somewhere, but I'm not sure where.

[Deja Q]

6. This?

[Hissyspit]

7. Yup, look at the Groucho Marx indirect influence on hip-hop! n/t

[MnFats]

9. In my best Keanu Reeves voice: Whoa, Hypno.

where the hell did you find that? I am in awe.