Duke Bootee

Edward Fletcher, aka Duke Bootee, could have justifiably received top billing for "The Message" (1982), a Top Five Hot Black Singles hit -- credited to Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five -- that manifested hip-hop's potential as a medium for sociopolitical commentary. Fletcher wasn't merely the featured MC beside Melle Mel, as the label on the Sugar Hill 12" single noted. He came up with the idea for the track, co-wrote and co-produced it, and performed most of its funk instrumentation, almost single-handedly illuminating the link between rap music and visionary street repor...