Melle Mel - White Lines

In 1983 rapper Melle Mel released White Lines (Don't Do It) - one of the first socially conscious rap songs. The song is based on Cavern by post-punk band Liquid Liquid, released the previous year. (see HERE) Although the song was released as a record by Grandmaster and Melle Mel, the song was Melle Mel's and Grandmaster Flash had nothing to do with it. In the early 1980's Melle Mel was the lead rapper of Sugar Hill Record's house band when Grandmaster Flash recruited him into a group to rap live in his DJ sets. By the time White Lines was recorded, which is credited to Melle Mel and Sugar Hill founder Sylvia Robinson, the group Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five had broken apart. By the time White Lines was released, Melle Mel had attached the name prefix Grandmaster to his name. Grandmaster Flash later took Melle Mel to court over the Grandmaster name.