FRESH AIR
Melle Mel was the original vocalist on The Message by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. This month Grand
Master Flash and the Furious Five will be the first hip-hop act inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many rappers regard The Message as an inspiration, as well as a political message. Melle Mel also rapped on the updated version, The New Message. DJ and hip-hop forefather Grand Master Flash broke out more than 20 years ago with hits that included “The Message” and “White Lines (Don’t Do it).” Part of his success came out of his “Quick Mix Theory,” the process of blending one music break with another. ALSO, Ronnie Spector, a member of the 1960s girl group The Ronettes, is about to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She left the music business for a number of years, before returning to recording.