Saddler's family migrated to the United States, and he grew up in the Bronx. He became involved in the earliest Queensbridge, New York DJ scene, attending parties set up by early luminaries. Learning from Pete Jones and Kool Herc, he used duplicate copies of a single record and two turntables but added a dextrous manual edit with a mixer to promote the break (a point of isolated drum rhythm) - the ordinary playing of the record would be interrupted to overlay the break, the break could be repeated by using the mixer to switch channels while the second record was spun back. The speed and dexterity needed showed why Saddler was called Flash, although he got the nickname in school due to the fact that he hung around with another guy named Gordon (from Flash Gordon). He also invented the technique initially called cutting, which was developed by Grand Wizard Theodore into scratching (AMG).
Flash played illegal parties and also worked with rappers such as Kurtis Blow and Lovebug Starski. He formed his own group in the late 1970s, after promptings from Ray Chandler. The initial members were Cowboy (Keith Wiggins), Melle Mel (Melvin Glover) and Kid(d) Creole (Nathaniel Glover) making Grandmaster Flash & the 3 MCs. Two other rappers briefly joined, but they were replaced more permanently by Rahiem (Guy Todd Williams, previously in the Funky Four) and Scorpio (Eddie Morris, also used the name Mr. Ness) to create Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five. Soon gaining recognition for their skillful raps, Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five pioneered MCing, freestyle battles, and invented some of the staple phrases in MCing. They performed at Disco Fever in the Bronx beginning in 1978.
Signed to Sugar Hill Records in 1980 by Joe Robinson, they released numerous singles, gaining a gold disc for "Freedom," and also toured. The classic "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel," released in 1981 was the best display of their skills (combining elements of Queen's "Another One Bites the Dust", Chic's "Good Times" and samples from Blondie's Rapture), but it was their least successful single at the time. The group's most significant hit was "The Message" (1982), which was produced by in-house Sugar Hill producer Clifton "Jiggs" Chase and went platinum in less than a month. Flash sued Sugar Hill in 1983 over the non-payment of royalties, and in 1984 the group split between Flash and Mel before disintegrating entirely. Flash, Kid Creole and Rahiem signed to Elektra Records while the others continued as "Grandmaster Melle Mel & the Furious Five." (Mel notably appeared on Chaka Khan's I Feel for You). They reformed in 1987 for a charity concert, to release one album and then fell apart again. There was another reunion, of a kind, in 1994, although Cowboy died in 1989 from a drug overdose due to the effects of his crack cocaine addiction.
Apache
Grandmaster Flash Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Kemosabe, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Apache, jump on it, jump on it, woo!
A-hunga-hunga-a-hunga-hunga
I got a lot of raps but I'll be brief
I never need a horse, I like to chill
So I drive up in my new Seville
My tribe went down in the hall of fame
'Cause I'm the one who shot Jesse James
Pound for pound, I will never break down
(Big Bank) no sir, I don't mess around
Woo!
Ho!
Woo!
Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Kemosabe, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Apache, jump on it, jump on it, woo!
A-hunga-hunga-a-hunga-hunga
Like Kemosabe, of course it's me
I'm better known as the Master G
A fine little squaw, sense the danger
When they're stung by the rapping ranger
Had a little talk with my medicine man
He said, "get them squaws, fast as you can"
To all you girls, that want to join my tribe
Just move to my rhythm and feel my vibe
Put up a fuss, in the end you'll agree
When you come inside my teepee
As I said before, you could sense the danger
When you're stung by the rapping ranger
When Silver and I take a route
All you suckers better step aside
I sting squaws, then I run away
Hi-o Silver, is what I say
Ho, ho!
Woo!
Hit it gang!
Ho! Ho! Ho!
Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Kemosabe, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Apache, jump on it, jump on it, woo!
A-hunga-hunga-a-hunga-hunga
A pow-wow, just rock it out
Finger-poppin' to the break of dawn
Keep it rockin' like the stuff that we call maize
(What's that?) hot buttered popcorn
You just hippa-hoppa-dippa-boppa bang the boogie
Woogie, betcha want to boogie again
And you can put me to the test at your request
I rock you out of your moccasin
Kemosabe got down, took off his mask
He kicked off his shoes and did the Monster Mash
Tommy came along, saw what was happenin'
His head began to bop and his foot start to clappin'
Go slam, dunk, do the jerk
And with the mic is how my smoke signals work
They were jammin' off a record that said it best
"Now what you hear is not a test!"
Woo!
A-hunga-hunga-a-hunga-hunga
A-hunga-hunga-a-hunga-hunga
Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Kemosabe, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Apache, jump on it, jump on it, woo!
The song "Apache" by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five is a classic old-school hip-hop track that features a catchy beat and entertaining lyrics. The song is built around a sample from the 1960 instrumental tune "Apache," which was originally recorded by the British group the Shadows. This sample is combined with rapping by Grandmaster Flash, who takes on the persona of various Wild West characters, including Tonto, Kemosabe, Custer, and Apache.
Line by Line Meaning
Tonto, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Let's get moving and party!
Kemosabe, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
Hey, everybody, I'm the Master G and I'm calling the shots! Let's dance!
Custer, jump on it, jump on it, jump on it
I am the chief of the tribe and I'll lead the dance!
Apache, jump on it, jump on it, woo!
Everybody jump and enjoy the party!
A-hunga-hunga-a-hunga-hunga
Just dance and have fun, who cares what it means!
I'm Big Bank, I am the chief
I'm the leader of this tribe
I got a lot of raps but I'll be brief
I've got a lot to say, but let's keep it short and sweet
I never need a horse, I like to chill
I prefer to relax and do things leisurely
So I drive up in my new Seville
I prefer luxury cars for my transportation
My tribe went down in the hall of fame
My people are famous for their contribution to history
'Cause I'm the one who shot Jesse James
I'm not afraid to take down the bad guys
Pound for pound, I will never break down
I am strong and resilient
(Big Bank) no sir, I don't mess around
I take what I do seriously
Like Kemosabe, of course it's me
I'm still the Master G, Kemosabe is just another name for me
I'm better known as the Master G
I am a famous rapper
A fine little squaw, sense the danger
The women know that I am a dangerous man
When they're stung by the rapping ranger
When they hear me rap, they are electrified
Had a little talk with my medicine man
I consult with my spiritual guide
He said, "get them squaws, fast as you can"
He suggests I should pursue women quickly
To all you girls, that want to join my tribe
Any woman can join my group if they want to
Just move to my rhythm and feel my vibe
I have a specific groove, follow it and enjoy the experience
Put up a fuss, in the end you'll agree
Don't be resistant, because eventually, you'll enjoy the rhythm
When you come inside my teepee
When you join my tribe, you'll have a good time
When Silver and I take a route
Me and my horse Silver like to travel
All you suckers better step aside
Anyone who gets in our way will regret it
I sting squaws, then I run away
I flirt with the women, then leave them behind
Hi-o Silver, is what I say
This is my catchphrase when I ride my horse
A pow-wow, just rock it out
Let's have a party and dance all night!
Finger-poppin' to the break of dawn
Let's groove until sunrise!
Keep it rockin' like the stuff that we call maize
Keep the rhythm and energy high like corn popping into popcorn
(What's that?) hot buttered popcorn
This is a reference to the music genre known as funk
You just hippa-hoppa-dippa-boppa bang the boogie
Just dance to the rhythm!
Woogie, betcha want to boogie again
You won't be able to resist dancing again
And you can put me to the test at your request
You can challenge me to a dance-off
I rock you out of your moccasin
I'll make you dance so hard that your shoes come off
Kemosabe got down, took off his mask
I let down my guard and got into the groove
He kicked off his shoes and did the Monster Mash
I let go of my inhibitions and danced without care
Tommy came along, saw what was happenin'
One of my friends joined the party
His head began to bop and his foot start to clappin'
He enjoyed the music and started dancing too
Go slam, dunk, do the jerk
Let's dance in all different styles
And with the mic is how my smoke signals work
I tell stories and command attention with my microphone
They were jammin' off a record that said it best
The music was so good that nobody could top it
"Now what you hear is not a test!"
This is a declaration that the music is real and authentic, not just a simulation
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Paul Thesurfer
RIP - Jim Gordon (1945 - 2023), drummer on this track. He was a real live musician. Godspeed, mate, and eternal peace.
RemixRick1
Respect to the originator, the innovator, Grand Master Flash - who inspired his own and future generations. THIS IS HIP HOP
Windsor Roofing solutions
This is cool heark
Steve Melendez
Word life!!!
ROGER BOWEN
NO THIS IS RAP !
Edward Cox
No this great😊
Paul Fiero
I’m an 80s die hard rocker but this stuff takes me back people like grandmaster flash,newkleus ,sugarhill gang ,Gary Byrd,run dmc ,all that stuff is so much better than the stuff you mostly hear today . I would love to have gone to some of those block parties and seen people doin this stuff for real in 79
John Webb
Flash is the reason I am a dj I practiced countless hours until I profected his style back when the adventures came out.. But he will always be the best to me 👑
mark beatts
Peace. Do you still spin
John Webb
Absolutely...the art has changed tho wit all this new technology..im strictly vinyl 🎚🎤