You can tell, just from the way he speaks about it, he's dedicated his life to this art form. He speaks about it, like a pastor delivering a sermon. This man is a genius.
This is a Master class in electrical engineering, music theory, sociology, hip hop culture and DJing. As a 48 year old DJ originally from the Bronx Flash is one of the most important people in the Hip Hop culture. Thank you Flash for everything you’ve done and created.
Blown away. I feel like an idiot for not knowing this history. THIS is what needs to be taught to kids. So disgusting how much division is being pushed today. Flash and other founding fathers of hip hop should be recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize for bringing so many people together in such a deep and fundamental way. They tapped into the beat inside of all of us, regardless of skin, and provided a means to express it. Bringing a unity that can never be quantified.
The DJ lesson and history is dope and all, but I'm bugging out on the fact that he still has his homie for over 50 years kicking it with him on Hot 97. That's the most impressive point of all of this! With all of the praise and acknowledgement he gets.... he still lets his homie help facilitate the lesson. AND gave him credit that his homie didn't even want to take. True legend.
44:01- Aerosmith - Walk this way 44:33 - Bob James - Take Me To The Mardi Gras 45:25 - Billy Squier - The Big Beat 46:22 - The Whole Darn Family - Seven Minutes of Funk 47:05 - "Get up and dance" by Freedom! 48:10 - Jimmy "Bo" Horne - Get Happy 49:02 - Chuck Brown & the Soul Searchers - Bustin' Loose 49:53 - The Incredible Bongo Band - Apache
Actually,....song at 47:05 is "Get up and dance" by Freedom! The Sugarhill house band just emulated it with live instruments which was very common at the time!
Not only do we owe this man so much being one of the true OGs of hop hop music, but he is an amazing teacher of this stuff. Should be called Professor Flash Ph. DJ
i know we clowning Flash because his eyes closed, but i really see this dude digging through his memories to give an accurate depiction of Hip Hop history. like talking about the fabric store you see him reliving that memory vividly
If you are a DJ and have seriously played with vinyl, you know everything he is talking about and has experienced all by himself. The equipment that we have, he didn’t have. This is truly biblical in the DJ , hip hop and rap music. The love of the drum break started him off. Respect
Flash will be remembered in history as the creator of this art form. They should give this man the title of Doctor. Like a Phd. This man could be a professor at a top college teaching this art form and theory. True Genius. So intelligent and dedicated to this. He made a instrument out of 2 turntables. Amazing!!!!! 100 years from now, kids will be reading and learning about what this man did and created. Much Love to Flash. BLESSINGS 🙌 🙌
Song1:nas/"NY state"..Original: Joe Chambers "mind rain" Song2:nas/ "the world is yours"..original: A.Jamal "I love music" song3: B.IG"/Hypnotize"..original:Herb Albert "rise" song4:Busta/ "put your hands"..original: Seals and croft "sweet green fields" song:5 Jay Z/ " Public service..Original: Little Boy blues "seed of love " song6:Puffy/ "all about the Benjamins " original: Love Unlimited " Idid it for love" song7:Dre/ "nothin but a g Thang" original:Leon Hayward "I want a do something freaky to you" ...these are the first set of tracks he plays, leaving out some bits and pieces like sample - scratches and other little things..Do your hip-hop homework, respect the craft, and do you!
Dj Suess It's Jay-Z's "Where I'm from" that made it popular. However Fat Joe used it before him on "Bad bad man" and then Kanye used it for that "Saint Pablo' song. Dope sample.
Watching this I think it’s clear that the man is a true genius; the way he figured out the technical workings of the equipment by himself and then harnessed this knowledge to make the sound he wanted. Oh, and a visionary to have such a goal to motivate him to do all of it. Always respected him before, but so much more after watching this. Thank you Grandmaster Flash! And Thank you so much to Hot 97 for posting it!
There shoud be a warning label on every single piece of DJ equipment, reading: "If you don't know who Grandmaster Flash is, please return this item immediately!"
This man is a certified genius. If you listen to his breakdown of theories and concepts, it a methodical systematic approach to the subject. Hip Hop is live and it is a science. Comparable to Egyptology science.
I HAD A FEELING HE WAS GONNA SAY THAT, ..I HAD TECHNICS IN THE EARLY 80S N STATE OF THE ART, TAPE DECKS W DOLBY NOISE REDUCTION, PRECISION TURNTABLES, POWERFUL TUNERS THAT U COULDN'T TURN THE VOLUME PAST 5 ...
If I say "word ,thats dope tho " in response to your comment would it be considered illiterate diction ...or because you teach Hip-Hop would it be accepted ? (Joke and serious question)
I was 15 years old when they dropped the house parties were off the charts! I was blessed to be a part of the beginning of hip hop. Thank you for this amazing video🙏
This is so sick dude ! I'm literally crying . Thank you Grand Master Flash for inventing all of this science and fun and music and creativity and expression and love and connection and compassion . 🙏🏼☯️🕉️☮️❤️
Grand Master Flash is the reason I became a DJ. Growing up in NYC since the 80's, his name was everywhere on the streets. Breakdancing, break beats, and Hip Hop was a big part of my life and many New Yorkers. He pioneered and set the foundation for the DJ industry. His wisdom, mentality, and love of the art are the values that I try to follow. Listen to the Grand Master when he speaks of being a legend in your own mind vs being a legend for the people. Thank you Grandmaster Flash and Hot 97 for this video - One love!
Flowzah I guess you can say that. I mean Im a young guy, Im only 20 years old. My father always told me stories of grandmaster flash, DJ kool herc. I like how in the series of "The Get Down" it not only tells about these DJ legends, but it submerges you in the everyday life in the bronx in the 70s and the beginning of a new sound known as "hip hop". I actually learned a lot watching this tv show. If you haven't watched it already, I highly recommended it.
7:44 - Nas 8:46 - Hypnotize 9:16 - Busta Rhymes 10:10 -JayZ 10:44 - Diddy 11:32 - Dr. Dre 44:35 - RUN DMC - Peter Piper (Take Me to the Mardi Gras) 45:30 - Billy Squier - The Big Beat 46:26 - Seven Minutes of Funk 47:21 - Get Up and Dance 49:55 - Apache
2Pac - "Keep Your Head Up" is from Five Stair Steps...the vocals sampled "Changes" is from a rock song??? "Hit'em Up" - is the same sample as Junior Mafia's "Get Money" (Reix) i forgot the sample name lol
The first time I heard a Grandmaster Flash song I wanted to be a DJ. I'm a young 62 and I'm still throwing down on the " 1's and 2's. But now I use a Pioneer DDJ-SZ and my lap top, Scratch Factory & Company. Rocking Maryland's Eastern Shore since 84. All thanks to Grandmaster Flash. 👏👏👏👏 😎✌ This is also the best technological explanation of what a DJ is doing behind the tables that I have ever heard. And I even learned a lil' something too. Some people think we are " just playing records ". 🥴
Rocking Maryland Eastern Shore since 84,I said that in my DJ voice when i read it LOL..rock on bro..it dont stop til the casket drop,i LOVE OUR CULTURE IM 56.
Salute !!! You got me by a few… so I hope to keep on goin too!!! Ya can never be too old for something out generation invented and grew up to.. never quit!!!
This is a true artist. People that are a master of their craft are like this. They skipped the parties because they love what they do. I was like this with mechanics and machinery. But all my friends were partying I was ripping motors apart. When they were all getting high I was building speakers. I have a lot of pride for this man. He did what he had to do to be who he is.
Flash is the Jimmy Hendrix of Hip-Hop....Completely revolutionized the sound going against the grain staying true to himself and his self thought art form ... because of him the turn tables are considered an electrical instrument.. Thank you for making us Hip-Hop Grandmaster...Keep on Rocking in the free world.
Dawg. This was beautiful. I'm glad I saw this man. Really makes you think about Hip-Hop. I'm a proud fan. Hip-Hop goes beyond a genre and transcends to a culture. Without Hip-Hop people wouldn't dress, talk, make music etc... the way they do now.
Damn, I love this. Thank you Hot 97. I grew up in the Rosedale, Bronxdale area in the Bronx during the 70's, and I remember the Block Parties and the jams in the projects where Flash was spinning. Thank you for sharing this with the world. Peace and God Bless.
Absolutely. I was young as hell, about 13-14 years old, so I wasn't drinking and smoking like the older kids. But the block parties were insane. You could see a cloud of smoke over the small area that surrounded the DJ, all the time. Everyone would be dancing, drinking and smoking. This jams didn't last long though, because the cops would break them up. The cops would sometimes sit along side for a while before breaking things up. The music was amazing, and I heard music during that time that never left the city, I'd never hear it again anywhere else. The closest movie I've seen about growing up in the city is The Get Down, which is what I believe Flash is promoting in this video.
+Kurde DAM - it was brother, the city was stressful but somehow, we made the best of it. My moms saved her kids by moving to South Florida, as we were headed in the wrong direction. Florida was a culture shock. Hip Hop hadn't made it there yet. Check out the Get Down on Netflix, it's the closest I've ever seen a film made about the culture, Peace.
Rique Rod Yeah i watched it, i immediately wanted to know more about the beginning of Hip Hop, and the culture in the Bronx in the 70s. Seriously, even if there was crime, gangs etc.., this culture is so fascinating and we want to know how afro-americans and latinos lived in here against social discrimination and racism, and music was like the solution. Damn dude, The Get Down made me think a lot about it. Thank you for sharing your experience in the Bronx. And as Africa Bambaataa said : Peace, unity, love and havin' fun :D
Flash is a scientist, the architect and the master! He invented major components for the turntable and the mixer without getting his just due (money for his inventions! It would have been nice for him to have put patents on the things he created, but when you grow up poor you’re limited to the basics. If he did create the patents he would have gotten payed for his genius, by turntable and mixer manufactures. Big ups Grand Master Flash, if it were not for you all the great hiphop & R&B we enjoy today would not be the same or here at all! Much respect and love!
What an incredible bit of storytelling from a soulful genius. It brought me back to my childhood growing up in Queens, NY in the 70s. This is among the best videos I’ve seen this year. Thanks to everyone involved.
No disrespect to you or Grandmaster Flash but technically Kool Herc is the founding father of Hip Hop, but yes Grandmaster Flash did "upgrade" it per say and is very important and contributed immensely to Hip Hop
This man is a genius. My grandfather thought like this and never got patient for his machine he made in the steel mill. Im glad DJ GMF is hear to tell his story.
He is the entire encyclopedia and a self - taught electric engineer .The master of D J and Hip Hop ,passion together with curiosity can rise a person to another level. Something not even the best University can,hail to Grandmaster.
He so dang HUMBLE!!! Especially for being one of the Creators. None of those Produces or anyone else wouldnt even be here if it wasnt for him and the other Pioneers!!!
Humble? Watch his Letter to Herc...he's delusional & arrogant. He's basically trying to credit himself for what Herc doing long before him. I know he had to do to make it work back in the day but I guess he didn't get the memo that you do not need to put coins in the heads shell in this day and age. As far as him "inventing" cueing. There's guys with patents in the 50's for cueing systems. He's a narcissist, tooting his own horn because nobody else is doing it. There's a reason why he doesn't get the credit that he thinks he deserves.
@@AaronGuerrerodesdezeroent nah man !!!!! The one's making millions.... they AIN'T HIP HOP!!! Flash don't need their money... Hip hop culture is more than music
My Dear and oldest friend Flash, we’ve been friends for about 40 yrs or more,and I knew you were not like he crew that was hanging around you , many thanks for true hip hop
wow... you know Flash well.. Linda, My name is Martin Please do me a favour if you see Flash at any point (since i can't reach out to him) Please tell him :... Martin says : thank you flash for making my childhood and all our childhoods something that is beyond explanation, something that we can never put into words for you and i doubt you would fully understand so all i can say is.... Thank you to a larger degree than words can say thank you for everything, thank you for helping me grow up because that's what the music did it was there for a child when a child needed it and needed to make sense of the world. Please tell flash that if you get a chance Thanks Linda Appreciate it FYI : I've met my fair share of celebrities as a result of my work, unfortunately i never met Flash, it would have been beyond an honour to have had the opportunity but hey... it doesn't always happen that way funny thing huh LOL some people yearn to meet a celebrity or two now why is it that when you meet them , it's not the one's you want LOL anyway thanks and take care
Saw your comment before I got to that part of the vid and was like huh? But yooo when it got to that part I was like daaayuuummm that's what they were talking about! Flash is for really real the one who started it all. ✌️🤘
When I was a freshman I think in high school in 2009 I did a project talking about our favorite inventors I did mine on Flash and how you turned a turn table into an instrument and changed the way music would become and is read threw articles talking about things he is talking about in this video but to watch him explain everything..... WOULD HAVE MADE MY FUCKIN PROJECT SO MUCH FUCKIN EASIER GOD DAM IT!!!!! Lol naw but for real tho he is an inspiration and wish I could thank him in person for what he has done.
I sat through this entire video and i'm still in awe.... This man has given us a lesson that went over most people that call themselves a "rapper" head. Let's give our icons, legends and pioneers their roses while they are still able to receive them. Thank You Grand Master Flash for this......
teaching what? no one at a university needs to learn this. I could teach what he is doing in 2 hours. Play a song, back spin, and mash the crossfader into the next song. Repeat.
@@michelevitarelli And your mix will sound the same way you dance i suspect but i would bet you're not a DJ, at least i hope not. There's also all the History and the creative process to get where they got to.. that's what profs seldom get to yet invaluable in any context. Btw Spike Lee is a tenured professor at NYU, why?? teachich what???? it's just point the camera and shot.. done, to use your manner of thinking. But really, your remark just sounds like an insecurity response i typically see from your demographic.
He is nothing short of a genius. Just crazy what he was able to accomplish and figure out as a young man. A true pioneer and legend. Major respect to him. I’ve watched this so many times and always so captivated and in awe.
I been a fan since the beginning of Hip Hop. I have applied his technique in my own DJing. I modeled my style according to the Flash tapes I heard. Also, this legend earned the title Grandmaster on the streets. People just referred to him as the Grandmaster because he was the best and the name stuck.
Whoever thumbs down on this has no respect for the beginning stages of hip hop just stick to these so called "rock stars" who mumble & can't spit a hot 16
Here's why it doesn't have millions of views; it's because it shifts the paradigm and debunks the stereotypes. America can't fathom this kind of forward scientific progress coming from such humble places.
Watching Grand Master Flash on the turntables doing it old school style brings back memories from the Bronx street parties ..summer jams in N.Y.C!! He's a genius!!
As a bboy. I don’t know how I can express my gratitude towards to Grand Master Flash and the other OG for creating these bomb beats. Even a Guy like me from the Philippines, not even fluent in English, can understand the level of complexity and appreciation even in simple exaples. Especially that last beat speaks in the hearts of every bboy and bgirl.
The man is a legend and an artist on par with the greats artists of old. It is easy to stand on the shoulder of giants, but very hard to become the giant. This man is THE hip-hop giant.
22:50 Great question! And great answer-- a constant quest from a child, public enemy #1 in his house with beatdowns from his sisters. What a great journey from a true genius. Mad respect to the Master.
he is not.. actually.. to become a GRAND MASTER DJ.. a REAL GRAND MASTER DJ needs to give you that tittle.. thats actually sumthing that he said before.. BUT if GRAND MASTER FLOWERS who was before him didnt give him that tittle HOW THE F*** HE IS A GRAND MASTER?? He just stole that Name from Flowers cause he was the one popping in thise years in NYC.. Flash is always lying tho.. on the real.. just watch 3 interviews of himself and you will smlisent to 3 different storys about the same topic :/ ... its sad but if you dont believe me go and check bro.. get that knowledge.. Bless and GOOD VIBES!
But thats what im saying tho.. :/ how he can create sumthing like that when he is not even the original one..?? He knows the truth too.. he was building up sumthing from a lie.. he naming himself GRAND MASTER FLASH.. when that name was not even his.. and then building up a story from that :/
He is a pioneer and probably the most famous DJ even though he wasn't the first. Afrika Bambatta is OG also but his most famous song "Planet Rock" is a rip off of Trans Europe express by Kraftwerk and even the stuff Kool Herc was doing, was just stuff he saw in Jamaica and brought to NYC. What's called "boasting" in Jamaica is basically what rap became. And yes, I heard even the Furious five said that Flash took credit for stuff they did but you can't deny what he did for Hip Hop.
