Funky Four Plus One and Funky 4 + 1 was the ‘first’ Hip-Hop/Rap group from The Bronx, New York, United States to receive a recording deal. They were notable for having a female MC, and were the first Hip-Hop/Rap group to perform “live” on a national television broadcast.

Beginnings

Formed in 1979, the group was the first hip hop group to have a female MC, Sha Rock. Their most significant hit was the nine-minute “That’s the Joint”. Their other notable recordings incuded the almost sixteen-minute “Rappin’ and Rockin’ The House”, and Jazzy Jeff’s recording of “King heroin”, from which a beat was sampled for use in the theme of the “The Apprentice”. The group never recorded a full studio album.

They were the first hip hop group to appear on a national television show, Saturday Night Live, in a 1981 episode hosted by Deborah Harry (some have mistakenly reported that Run-DMC was the show’s first rap appearance- in fact they were first to perform on MTV some years later).

The original members were The Voice of K.K. aka K.K. Rockwell (Kevin Smith), Keith Keith(Keith Caesar), Sha Rock (Sharon Green), Rahiem (Guy Todd Williams). Rahiem later left the group to join Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five. Sha Rock temporarily left as well, and they were replaced by Lil’ Rodney C! and Jazzy Jeff, who became the ‘New’ Funky Four and with the return of Sha Rock who became the Plus One More.

Career

With the addition of Lil` Rodney C! and Jazzy Jeff, the group became the “New” Funky Four, with D.J. Breakout and Baron. None of the Emcees were older than 17 when they signed with the Enjoy label, with “Rappin’ And Rockin’ The House”.
This utilized the Cheryl Lynn break,”Got To Be Real”, over which a 16-minute rap commentary was placed. The drums were programmed by Pumpkin, arguably rap’s first production hero, and it was an impressive overall introduction.

Shortly afterwards they switched to Sugarhill Records, losing the “Plus One More” and adding 4 + 1 suffix. Prior to this cast D.J. Mark The 45 King would act as Breakout’s record boy after Pookie D, locating and passing records up to the decks as Breakout requested them. They made their debut for Sugarhill in 1980 with “Thats The Joint”, a song arranged by jazz-funk organist Clifton Jiggs Chase. Their performances at Bronx Club parties included full blown dance routines.

After a discrepancy with Sugarhill, Lil` Rodney C! and KK Rockwell left the group and started “The Original Double Trouble”. At which time Rodney C! would marry Angela (Angie B) Brown of The Sequence fame aka (Grammy Nominated) Angie Stone. Jazzy Jeff went on to have a solo career.

Released tracks

• “Rappin & Rockin The House” - Funky Four Plus One More
• “That’s The Joint” - Funky 4+1
• “Feel It” (The Mexican) - Funky 4
• “Do You Want To Rock” - Funky 4
• “Square Biz” - Funky 4
• “Superstars” - Funky 4
• “King Heroin” - Jazzy Jeff

References

• http://www.jayquan.com/funk4.htm
• http://www.jayquan.com/funk4int.htm
• http://www.myspace.com/funkyfour

Notes

• Jazzy Jeff from Funky Four Plus One is not the same artist as DJ Jazzy Jeff from DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince. When Jazzy Jeff was setting up a solo career after the (3rd) Funky 4 split up around 1983 he sued Jive Records (who had subsequently signed DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince) and he won a lawsuit over the rights to the name “Jazzy Jeff”.

The Career Cookbook Rahiem Profile[[fr:Funky 4+1]]

References

• Funkylala.com Store Location: Funky Lala Boutique, 422 east 9th Street (between 1st Avenue + Avenue A) | T-212-260-2865 | customerservice@funkylala.com
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