Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five are one of many legendary acts coming out of New York. The group, who were inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, helped laid the foundation of hip-hop by incorporating turntablism, break-beat deejaying, stage routines and lyricism. They gained prominence off their first single “Freedom,” as well as their magnum opus The Message. Like the hip-hop forefathers alongside them (Kool Herc, Afrika Bambattaa and Grand Wizzard Theodore), they were inspiration for many aspiring hip-hop artists to come.
Over the years, the hip-hop pioneers have disbanded, occasionally coming together for reunion performances. However, there have been misconceptions about their legacy that are now being brought up today. Founding member Scorpio spoke to Yaheard.com and shared some surprising details about Grandmaster Flash. He called Grandmaster Flash “the Milli Vanilli of hip-hop,” and even goes on to say that he never actually contributed to any of their biggest songs. It’s an interview that exposes a lot about Grandmaster Flash. Read some excerpts below, and head over to Ya Heard for the full story.
On their relationship with Grand Master Flash:
Scorpio: At that time we were a group, but the biggest mistake the Furious Five made was to leave his name before ours. Being young kids we thought “we started as a group lets end like that." We didn’t know that ultimately it would turn around where he would use the brand that we all helped build against us. We were still performing but Melle Mel brought it to our attention. Flash understood branding in our group before us. So once he understood after all of these records we put out and tours and people were starting to say Grandmaster Flash and not the Furious Five but was associating it with our group that's when he started his shit.
On why he isn’t on certain Furious Five records:
At the end of the day by having that name that we all helped build it gives him a clear path to all of the money without cutting in or bringing in fellas along who actually helped build the name. He claims that he wants his own legacy, and even though he’s out doing DJ gigs, its off of the name Grandmaster Flash. But when was the first time you heard the name Grandmaster Flash? Did you hear someone cutting on a turntable or did you hear the record? He’s trying to act like it was Grandmaster Flash over here, and The Furious Five here and even though we came out with the record people knew it was two different things. Are you out your fucking mind? Once we crossed the George Washington Bridge and started recording in Jersey and it became the record industry his name became associated with our voices.
On if a reunion with Grandmaster Flash would happen in the future:
The very last conversation that me, Melle Mel, and Flash had we had on the phone. First of all just to clear the record up. The Furious Five has ALWAYS wanted to work together. It’s Grandmaster Flash that has a problem with working with The Furious Five, because he wants to keep all of the legacy and the money to himself. Last time me, Melle Mel, and Flash were on the phone we were talking about the same thing we were like, "Ayo man we’ve been doing some things and the Furious Five is having a problems with getting different dates." Which is understandable because promoters being confused they want the “Marquee” name. They want to book us, but its harder for them to sell The Furious Five. But when you put The Furious Five next to Grandmaster Flash that's like “oh shit” I’d love to book that." “Yo I want that." It comes alive.
Flash says “I wonder why you’re having problems getting booked?” I’m like Flash, "Why the problem?" Everyone thinks Grandmaster Flash, the name is you? When he didn’t have anything to do with the records. He wants to keep all of it to himself. The reason we’re coming out with it now you know is because we had hopes that maybe one day he would wake up and say “let’s do these world tours lets do what Mick Jagger and them do." Even then they don’t get along, lets go out there and be professional. It’s just something the world would want to see. The world would love to see the reunion of the Furious Five!
