When it comes to DJing, you have to pay respects to the pioneers in order to really appreciate the culture. Grandmaster Flash is the key figure in both Hip-Hop and DJ culture that innovated the DJ techniques back-spinning, punch phrasing and scratching (although Grand Wizzard Theodore originated scratching, Flash perfected it and popularized it) in the 1970's that are still used by DJs of today.
In the late 1970's, Grandmaster Flash started his own group The Furious Five, that featured himself as the group's DJ. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five initially singed to Enjoy Records, then released "Superrappin'" in 1979. The following year the group signed to Sugar Hill Records. 1981 brought about the release of "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels of Steel", a seven minute mix of Spoonie Gee's "Monster Jam," Blondie's "Rapture," Michael Viner's Incredible Bongo Band's "Apache," Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust," Chic's "Good Times," and the group's own "Freedom." Flash is the first DJ to ever do a record that was strictly for a DJ to showcase his skills. He credits his influences as Grandmaster Flowers, DJ Kool Herc and Pete Jones.
