Sugarhill and Dizzee

Reformed Gang on teaming up with UK hip hop star to record song

12 September 2008 - Classic reformed hip hop group Sugarhill Gang are set to collaborate with the big name UK rapper Dizzee Rascal.

Back in October 2007 the rap royalty teamed up on stage, performing at the launch of Sony Walkman's digital music players - but no mention was made of laying down anything on record.

Speaking to 6 Music at a rather wet Bestival on 6 September, the Sugarhill Gang confirmed that something is in the pipeline.

Explaining how they met up with Dizzee Rascal again, Master Gee said: “He came to the States about two months ago.  We ran into him when he invited us to come down to his club in New York and we went down there – wow, kick ass show. The tracks were crazy, they were spittin’ real hard and it’s in the works to do a song with him.”

Connecting with culture

They've also been talking about work on a new record.

The group faded during the 80s after hits Rapper’s Delight, 8 ^th Wonder and Apache, returning only with a third rap album for children called Jump On It! in 1999.

However, they are back on track and say they hope to have a new album out next year.

Speaking about their music, Master Gee says its always had a connection with people: “We are very fortunate to have created the music that we have created, our music is definitely connected to the culture of the world.

“Mainly I think it’s because we come from a party background. Each one of us were MCs and DJs before we became recording artists.”

And Master Gee also claims it’s their party background which helps them write their killer dance floor hits.

He told 6 Music: “When we record, we record from different dimensions and our music affects people in all different ways, and that’s kinda why I think the songs always get people going because it ignites a certain feeling in people’s souls.”

"The tracks were crazy they were spittin’ real hard and it’s in the works to do a song with him."
Master Gee

Road testing already

It sounds like the new album is well underway.

“We've been in the studio with a lot of young and up and coming producers. We’re writing and we’re playing some stuff ourselves. We’re actually premiering and showcasing a lot of the stuff on stage and getting a response. You know whether something is hot or not by the fans who really let you know,” said Master Gee.

And as for who they are working with on the new album, they were trying to keep their cards close to their chest: “We’re leaving all of that up to the imagination. This is our project you know?

“I had kinda stepped away for a good minute and they were all doing a certain thing and we purposely came together to do a new project, so the thing about this project is that it’s kinda like our baby.”

As for when we should expect their latest offering, Master Gee revealed it’s scheduled for the beginning of 2009.

And they’re happy with the result so far: “It’s hot, definitely. You wanna hear some of the stuff then you gotta come to one of the shows.”

Georgie Rogers