The Furious Five

About The Furious Five

The Furious Five, famously known as Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, were an American hip-hop group formed in the South Bronx of New York City in 1978. They are widely regarded as pioneers of hip-hop music, known for their innovative use of turntablism, breakbeat DJing, and conscious lyricism within genres like old-school hip-hop and East Coast hip-hop. Their influential 1982 song "The Message" is particularly noted for its groundbreaking social commentary on inner-city poverty. The group made history as the first hip-hop act inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007. While the original lineup has since disbanded, the legacy continues, with Grandmaster Melle Mel and Scorpio remaining active members. In recent news, Grandmaster Flash is set to release his second memoir, "Birth of a Culture," in Fall 2026, which will delve into the early days of hip-hop. Additionally, their seminal track "The Message" was ranked number 16 on Rolling Stone's "The 100 Best Protest Songs of All Time" list in 2025.