Sugarhill Gang is released

Why it matters

The Sugarhill Gang's self-titled debut LP came out in February 1980, on the strength of "Rapper's Delight" and not much else. The single, in its full 14-minute glory, ate Side A. Side B was "Sugarhill Groove," "Bad News," "Sugar Hill Groove," and "Rappin' & Rocking the House," which is to say: more of the same Sugar Hill house band, with Hank and Wonder Mike and Master Gee filling the time. The album was a moment because it had to exist. The first rap single that crossed over required a first rap album to chase it. Nobody listens to the album now. You can listen to "Rapper's Delight" and not listen to this album and still understand ninety-five percent of what this album was for. But somebody had to put the first rap LP into a record store, and in February 1980, it was these guys. That counts.