The Beats From the Street: Classic Hip Hop (Rap) Quiz

Answer: Moni Love

She was born in Battersea, London. She came to the States at the age of 17. She had her first breakout hit, "Moni in the Middle", in 1990.

Answer: Ladies First

Queen Latifah recorded this song with Moni Love. Queen Latifah has gone on to a successful career in acting. She starred in the 90's sitcom, "Living Single", in addition to playing roles in "Jungle Fever", "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air", "Juice", and "The Bone Collector", just to name a few. According to http://www.imdb.com, she also was a former Burger King employee.

Answer: London, England

Source: http://www.dotmusic.com/interviews/February2000/interviews13051.asp
"Monie has worked with a glittering array of stars including Queen Latifah, Jay-Z, The Artist (formerly known as Prince), De La Soul and Whitney Houston. She guested on Queen Latifah's album 'Ladies First' when she was only 17 and she worked with Jay-Z in the early days when he was working with rap artist Jazz".

Answer: Sugarhill Gang

UTFO recorded "Roxanne, Roxanne"; Grand Master Flash and The Furious Five recorded "The Message"; and Run DMC recorded "Kings of Rock", "Rock Box", and other monster hits.

Answer: Untouchable Force Organization

UTFO recorded the song "Roxanne, Roxanne" in 1984. The members of this rap group were Kangol Kid, Doctor Ice, Educated Rapper, and Mixmaster Ice.

Answer: Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa

According to hip hop history, Kool Herc, Grand Master Flash, and Afrika Bambaataa were fierce competitors. Kool Herc's system had the loudest sound with the most bass, but what made him the father of rap was his use of the break section in songs, in which the vocals would stop and the beat would continue for a short period. (Source: http://www.oldschoolhiphop.com)

Answer: Scott La Rock

Scott La Rock, who was Lawrence, aka Krishna Parker's(aka KRS-One), counselor in a homeless boys shelter, and who is said to have encouraged KRS-One to rap, and also helped him to change his life around, was killed while attempting to break up a fight. Together they founded BDP. He was murdered before BDP, and KRS became famous.

Answer: Was his counselor at a homeless shelter for boys/men

The acronym KRS-One stands for "Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone".

Answer: Kraftwerk

The members of "Kraftwerk" were in a local nightclub in New York when they heard their song being played, but the song was much, much longer than the original recording. When they asked the DJ what he was doing to make the song long, and to make it sound so good, the DJ introduced them to the concept of breaking, or prolonging the beat section of a song.

Answer: Afrika Bambaataa

According to the website, http://www.oldschoolhiphop.com/artists/afrika.htm, "Afrika Bambaataa, was a part of the first ever hip hop tour in Europe, which occurred in 1982...Afrika is still very much in the hip hop game...Legends never die, they just get bigger".

Answer: They are a White, German, Electronica Group

Kraftwerk has said that their biggest fans in America, and the biggest airplay they have ever gotten in America, came from the black community. Old school rap artists and old school fans alike give much respect to Kraftwerk. These young cats today need to check the entire history of hip hop.

Answer: Blondie

Blondie recorded "Rapture" in 1981. The Beastie Boys did not officially release any music until 1982 with their first album, "PollyWog Stew". "License to Ill" and "Fight for Your Right" were not released until 1986 and 1987, respectively. Kid Rock did not release anything before the 1980's, and Aerosmith's famous duet with Run DMC, "Walk This Way", was released in 1986.

Answer: Deborah Harry and Chris Stein

Jean-Michel Basquiat has been credited with writing this song, but it was a Blondie original. Basquiat was a street performer and graffiti artist who performed in the video of the song. Unfortunately, Basquiat died of a heroin overdose in 1988.

Answer: Graffiti Artist/Painter

Source: http://www.at149st.com/hpart1.html. "Graffiti was used primarily by political activists to make statements and street gangs to mark territory. Though graffiti movements such as the Cholos of Los Angeles in the 1930s and the hobo signatures on freight trains predate the New York School, it wasn't till the late 1960s that writing's current identity started to form".
"The history of the underground art movement known by many names, most commonly termed graffiti begins in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the mid to late '60s and is rooted in bombing. The writers who are credited with the first conscious bombing effort are CORNBREAD and COOL EARL. They wrote their names all over the city gaining attention from the community and local press. It is unclear whether this concept made its way to New York City via deliberate efforts or if was a spontaneous occurrence".

Answer: Self Destruction

This song was written to encourage black youth to love themselves, love others, to stop black-on-black crime, or any other crime for that matter, and to leave the crack alone. It is still one of my favorite rap songs.

Answer: Boogie Down Productions

BDP was, and is, a group or rappers dedicated to enlightening the masses through music. They call what they do "Edutainment", or education thru entertainment. KRS-One, D-Nice, Miss Melodie, and Scott La Rock were all members.

Answer: Taana Gardner

According to the website tigersushi.com, "Heartbeat" "sold over 100,000 copies in one week, and has been one of the most sampled track through its landmark intro and incredible breakbeat...that became favorites of Hip Hop deejays and producers".

Answer: Rock Steady Crew

Crazy Legs is featured in the new Erykah Badu and Common video for the song "Love of My Life." The Rock Steady Crew was established in 1977 in the Bronx. They are the original breakdancing troupe, and are credited with inventing the back spin, and popularizing pop-locking.

Answer: Wild Style

Source: http//www.wildstylethemovie.com. "Wild Style (1982) captured the hard core South Bronx scene at its birth. The stars of Wild Style form the pantheon of hip hop's pioneers: DJ's Grand Master Flash, Grand Wizard Theodore, D.St.; rappers Grand Master Caz and The Cold Crush Bros, The Chief Rocker Busy Bee, Double Trouble, Fantastic Freaks and RAMMELLZEE and bboy champions The Rock Steady Crew. Beat Music by legendary Blondie guitarist Chris Stein and Fred Brathwaite".

"Wild Style stars the legendary subway artist LEE Quinones and the queen of the graffiti scene, Sandra PINK Fabara. Graffiti Masters DONDI, ZEPHYR and DAZE also bombed for the movie. FAB 5 FREDDY, who along with writer/producer/director Charlie Ahearn, helped create Wild Style, shines as the smooth hip hop impressario PHADE. Wild Style follows the outlaw artists through the train yards to the rap/breakdance clubs.The movie climaxes at a massive outdoor jam, definitely the most famous hip hop party in history"!

Answer: DJaying, breakdancing, mceeing and graffiti writing

DJaying is when someone spins the records to the lyrics. Breakdancing is dancing that involves spinning on your head, spinning on your back and pop-locking, along with other dance moves. The MC is the person who 'spits' the lyrics. Graffiti writing is art work done legally or illegally, using buildings, walls, sidewalks, subway trains, and other nontraditional canvasses.