Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five are an American hip hop group that rose to prominence in the 1980s. Formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1976, the group consisted of DJ Grandmaster Flash and rappers Melle Mel, Kid Creole, Keef Cowboy, Mr. Ness, Scorpio and Rahiem. The group’s use of turntablism, break-beat deejaying and conscious lyricism were significant in the development of rap music. The group developed it’s reputation by performing at parties and clubs and earned local success. The success of the Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” made the group realize the potential of cutting records. Under Sugarhill Records, the group released the singles “Freedom”, “Birthday Party”, ‘Grandmaster Flash On The Wheels Of Steel” and “It’s Nasty.” In 1982, the group released the single “The Message.” The song provided political and social commentary and became the group’s biggest commercial success reaching No. 4 on the R&B charts and No. 62 on the pop charts. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five released the albums “The Message” (1982) and “On The Strength” (1988). Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007.