The Sugarhill Gang

This claim is attributed to the lyrics "I'm the C-A-S-S-N-O-V-A and the rest is F-L-Y " used by Big Bank Hank in the song, at the time Grandmaster Caz regularly referred to himself as "Cassanova Fly"; but the Sugarhill Gang's place in music history seems secure as the first hip hop group to have a Gold single. His autobiography, Taking Back My Name (ISBN 1-852-27850-1) was published in 2001. In addition, Grandmaster Caz from the Cold Crush Brothers claims that Sugarhill Gang member Big Bank Hank used his rhymes on Rapper's Delight. In addition to his bandleading, Turner was a talent scout for independent record companies and played guitar for many pioneer blues performers, including Robert Nighthawk, Sonny Boy Williamson II, and Otis Rush. The term "rap" is also claimed to be derrived from the title of this hit. The two were divorced in 1978. Some claim that "Rapper's Delight" is the first hip-hop single ever; it was actually preceded by "King Tim III" by the Fatback Band. She accused him of violent spousal abuse -- which Ike has always denied.

They continue to tour. Ike was married to Tina Turner for 18 years, starting in 1960. In 1999 (see 1999 in music), they reunited and recorded Jump on It, a hip hop children's album. The Revue opened for the Rolling Stones on their American tours in 1966 and 1969. The Sugarhill Gang never again topped the charts, though they had a few minor hits, such as "Apache," "Eighth Wonder," "Rapper's Reprise [Jam Jam]" and "Showdown" (with the Furious Five). Turner is also noted for introducing the classic soul music show to general audiences with the Ike and Tina Turner Revue, featuring a full band, Tina Turner, and the Ikettes, a female trio of frantic singers and dancers. The song was a #36 hit on the US pop chart and a #4 hit on the US R&B chart in 1979 (see 1979 in music), though hip-hop was dismissed as a brief fad. Through music-business intrigue, Brenston, Turner's saxophone player, ended up with artist and co-author credit on Turner's tune.

They were assembled into a group up by producer Sylvia Robinson who also founded Sugar Hill Records along with her husband record mogul Joe Robinson. The record was released under the name of Jackie Brenston and his Delta Cats, but was actually performed by Ike Turner and His Kings of Rhythm. The members, all from New York City, called themselves Wonder Mike, Big Bank Hank, and Master Gee. It was a sharp contrast from the relatively more jazzy and sophisticated jump blues or swing combo music that preceded it.
The Sugarhill Gang is an American hip hop group, known mostly for one hit, "Rapper's Delight", the first hip hop single to become a Top 40 hit. Turner's 1949 recording of "Rocket 88" is considered one of the earliest examples of rock and roll with a driving back beat and topped with electric guitar and wailing saxophone. His musical career began with his childhood piano teacher, Pinetop Perkins, who taught him the boogie-woogie that he later transformed into early rock and roll.

Turner was born in Clarksdale, Mississippi. He is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Ike Turner (born Izear Luster Turner Jr.) (born November 5, 1931) is an American musician (piano, guitar), bandleader, talent scout and record producer.