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Post by frente on Jan 24, 2015 19:23:39 GMT -5
I always heard "Friends" by Jody Watley was one of the first pop hits featuring a rap artist (Eric B & Rakim). And it's true that even when rap was starting to be huge in the late artists, there were not that many pop hits including rap. Another good example is "Opposites attract" by Paula Abdul. The album version doesn't include the rap, but when added to the single version it helped a lot to take it to number one (and of course, a fantastic video).
Can anyone help with any other pop hits (before 1992) featuring a rap artist? Can't think of many but there must be a few of them.
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Post by rayshae3 on Jan 24, 2015 19:59:19 GMT -5
I always heard "Friends" by Jody Watley was one of the first pop hits featuring a rap artist (Eric B & Rakim). And it's true that even when rap was starting to be huge in the late artists, there were not that many pop hits including rap. Another good example is "Opposites attract" by Paula Abdul. The album version doesn't include the rap, but when added to the single version it helped a lot to take it to number one (and of course, a fantastic video). Can anyone help with any other pop hits (before 1992) featuring a rap artist? Can't think of many but there must be a few of them. From 1984: "I Feel for You"- Chaka khan w/ rapping by Melle Mel
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Post by trekkielo on Jan 24, 2015 20:25:32 GMT -5
"Rapture" by Blondie in 1980 with hip-hop pioneer Fab 5 Freddy!
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Post by blackbowl68 on Jan 24, 2015 20:39:15 GMT -5
"I'll Tumble 4 Ya" - Culture Club (1983) "West End Girls" - The Pet Shop Boys (1986)
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Post by frente on Jan 24, 2015 21:16:27 GMT -5
Oh yes, I totally forgot "I feel for you", that's for sure the first successful pop/rap collaboration.
I actually meant a collaboration between a pop singer and a rap artist, not just songs including any kind of rap. But I think my question was confusing, sorry!
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Post by frente on Jan 24, 2015 21:30:48 GMT -5
That Vincent Price's part is not really rap, is it? But not a bad suggestion.
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Post by at40fansince1984 on Jan 24, 2015 21:36:53 GMT -5
Even though they are rap songs how about "Wipeout" by the Fat Boys & the Beach Boys & "The Twist" by the Fat Boys & Chubby Checker & of course "Walk This Way" by Run-D.M.C. with Steven Tyler & Joe Perry of Aerosmith. Also in late 85 the protest song "Sun City" by Artist United Against Apartheid had Run-D.M.C. & some other rappers on it.
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Post by trekkielo on Jan 25, 2015 0:30:05 GMT -5
That Vincent Price's part is not really rap, is it? But not a bad suggestion. It's more like spoken word with Vincent Price on "Thriller"!
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Post by bestmusicexpert on Jan 25, 2015 7:28:00 GMT -5
I think the Thriller confusion is because its referred to as a "rap" but its used in a different context.
I think of spoken word and rap as two different things.
For example, West End Girls is more of a spoken word verses kind of thing. Just like the alternative band King Missile. I wouldn't say John S Hall was rapping on Detachable Peni$.
Some have called Falco's vocals on Rock Me Amadeus a rap. But I attributed the sound of it to his vocals being in German.
Top 40 hit wise with a guest rapper, I think I Feel For You is the earliest. Can't think of anything else earlier than that one.
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Post by frente on Jan 25, 2015 11:35:39 GMT -5
What about top 40 pop hits from 1988-1991 with a rap collaboration? There must be a few but I can only think of late 91' ones.
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Post by OldSchoolAT40Fan on Jan 25, 2015 12:46:13 GMT -5
I agree 100% that the so-called "rap" by Vincent Price in "Thriller" is actually spoken words. In fact, I think he's actually telling a story during the final minutes of the song that ends with an evil laugh. It's too bad we won't hear the show with Vincent Price's speaking and evil laugh, as Premiere's policy forbids airing shows with guest hosts (Charlie Van Dyke was guest hosting on that episode, which originally aired on March 10, 1984).
Speaking of "Thriller", I think there may be a chance that Premiere may be saving the February 11, 1984 show for the last airing from February 1984 because of the landmark Hot 100 debut of the song debuting on the entire Hot 100 at #20. Sounds like, if this is true, Premiere may be saving the best for last with regards to February 1984.
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Post by trekkielo on Jan 25, 2015 13:24:45 GMT -5
I agree 100% that the so-called "rap" by Vincent Price in "Thriller" is actually spoken words. In fact, I think he's actually telling a story during the final minutes of the song that ends with an evil laugh. It's too bad we won't hear the show with Vincent Price's speaking and evil laugh, as Premiere's policy forbids airing shows with guest hosts (Charlie Van Dyke was guest hosting on that episode, which originally aired on March 10, 1984). Speaking of "Thriller", I think there may be a chance that Premiere may be saving the February 11, 1984 show for the last airing from February 1984 because of the landmark Hot 100 debut of the song debuting on the entire Hot 100 at #20. Sounds like, if this is true, Premiere may be saving the best for last with regards to February 1984. Wow, can't believe Casey never had the full album version! On a yet to be aired by Premiere American Top 40 with Casey Kasem from May 28th, 1983, preceding "Beat It" at #3, he talks about Vincent Price's film career between The 1940s-70's, his voice appearance on "Thriller" and then plays its first few lines!
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Post by bestmusicexpert on Jan 26, 2015 5:53:00 GMT -5
Usually he played the special edit instead of the 45 version.
Special edit cuts the intro going straight to the horn fanfare and ends with the VP part but shortened and instrumental.
The 45 version fades during the last chorus.
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Post by matt on Jan 26, 2015 11:36:01 GMT -5
There are actually quite a few urban/R&B hits starting around 1988-89 (including the aforementioned "Friends") that include a rap as part of the bridge portion of the song. A few that come to mind:
"She Ain't Worth It" Glenn Mederos with Bobby Brown Several hits by Bobby Brown for that matter, including "On Our Own", "Every Little Step", and others "P.A.S.S.I.O.N." by Rhythm Syndicate "Do Anything" by Natural Selection
An interesting song from 1990 that raps the verses but sings the chorus: "Epic" by Faith No More.
If you wanted to go back into the mid 80s for songs that also used rap for the verses, Casey refers to Murray Head's vocals in "One Night In Bangkok" as a rap on at least one occasion.
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Post by frente on Jan 26, 2015 13:49:34 GMT -5
Also in 1990 "Lies" by En Vogue barely made the top 40. I can't remember if the single version included the rap but I guess it did.
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