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Biografía
Saddler’s interest in DJing grew out of his obsession with his father’s record collection, and was aided by his ability to repair electronic equipment after moving to the Bronx, New York, U.S. with his family. As a teenager Saddler studied the styles of Pete Jones, Kool Herc and Grandmaster Flowers among others, and was later credited with creating and mastering DJ techniques of Backspin or quick-mix, punch phrasing and perfecting the art of scratching.
Flash began collaborating in the 1970s, eventually forming Grandmaster Flash and the 3 MCs in 1977. The line-up consisted of Cowboy (Keith Wiggins), Melle Mel (Melvin Glover) and Kid Creole (Nathaniel Glover). Cowboy is credited with creating the term hip hop after repeating the term in the rhythm of a soldier’s match and using it in a song. In a similar innovative move Melle Mel was the first rapper to call himself “MC” short for Master of Ceremony. Rapper Rahiem (Guy Todd Williams) and Scorpio (Eddie Morris) later joined to complete the line-up of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.
It didn’t take long for the group to earn a legendary status around the New York City area, notably for Flash’s peerless DJ skills and the Five’s lyrical mastery. The group signed with Bobby Robinson’s Enjoy Records in 1979 and released their debut single “Superrappin’” the same year. In 1980 the group signed to Sugar Hill Records and began releasing regular singles including “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel” (1981) – highlighting the unrivalled skills of the DJ as he mixed songs by Blondie, Michael Viner’s Incredible Bongo Band, Queen and Chic.
Flash and the Five subsequently opened for the Clash and released their debut album “The Message” in 1982. An innovative album, “The Message” introduced hip-hop as a source of social commentary with Melle Mel producing a career defining rap, and arguably in-turn defining rap as an art.
In 1983, following the release of “White Lines” Melle Mel, left Grandmaster Flash and the Furious 5, after which Flash released the solo albums “They Said It Couldn’t Be Done” in 1995, “The Source” in 1996, and “Da Bop Boom Bang” in 1987. The original line-up returned later in 1987 to play a charity show at Madison Square Gardens, New York and release the album “On the Strength” in 1988. In 1994 Flash and the Five embarked on a iconic rap tour alongside Kurtis Blow and Run-D.M.C. among others and appeared on Duran Duran’s version of “White Lines”. Flash has subsequently released the mix albums “The Official Adventures of Grandmaster Flash” and “Essential Mix: Classic Edition” in 2002.
Críticas en vivo
Pioneering DJ and hip hop artist Joseph Saddler better known as Grandmaster Flash has a prolific reputation on both sides of the Atlantic. Now almost in his 60s, the musician feels a duty to his fans to continue playing live and when he is included on festival lineups it is always assured to be a massive party which Saddler revels in. An innovator of hip-hop cutting and mixing, he spends a lot of time behind the decks working on his proficient performance style yet he still manages to get the crowd going with tingling hip hop beats and a selection of old school dance floor fillers.
He has limited studio releases in his discography yet the quality of his tracks is undeniable so he continually delivers the beats tonight as he drops 'New York New York' and 'Freedom' in quick succession. As the show moves along at pace the crowd begin to anticipate the finale in excitement and Flash knows this so he holds them off a little longer with a couple of remixes of his personal favourite artists before finally playing his recognisable track 'The Message' which receives huge elated reaction from the masses as they jump, dance and sing along with this 80s gem.
sean-ward
I stumbled upon Grandmaster Flash on Google, having intended to search for a Game of Thrones character initially. This happy mistake reunited me with a sound that I had quite forgotten from my childhood, when my older cousin had been a fan. Listening to ‘The Message’ I was transported back to the first time I had heard the song and to how much I had loved it. Grandmaster Flash is a legend of sorts, and his most popular tracks are classics. Along with ‘White Lines’, ‘The Message’ found itself securely in my iPod summer playlist. Live, Grandmaster Flash is just the same. He still spins the tunes exactly as you know and love them and creates a fantastic atmosphere that got the whole crowd dancing along. There was a happy, cheerful buzz about the crowd that recalled an 80s vibe, one which the older generations in the crowd particularly loved. Grandmaster Flash spun a seamless blend of funk, pop, soul, disco, rock and, of course, hip hop, that had the whole audience grooving until the early hours.
sabraziz
Grandmaster Flash is a fun night full of great tunes and entertainment. You cannot keep your eyes off him as he spins all your favourite songs.
He doesn't just stop at hip hop. He plays pop, soul, disco, rock and pretty much every other genre all blended seamlessly together.
You'll know a few of his own hits such as 'White Lines' and "The Message' but there is really so much more then that.
I added him to my SongKick because after the first time I saw him, I knew I could never miss any of his gigs in London again! At the end of each of his shows you really feel a buzz and are happy. It almost feel like you were part of the set as well. Grandmaster Flash is not to be missed!
julia.hanley
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