CLEVELAND–Some say “Rapper’s Delight” broke hip-hop music into the mainstream.
Now, the bass guitar behind the famous “Sugarhill Gang” song is a part of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum.
“At first, people never knew what hip-hop was,” said bass player Chip Shearin, who donated his guitar to the museum.
Shearin said in the 1970s, “hip-hop” was known as a style of dance, not a music genre.
But the 1979 song–and in particular, the bass riff Shearin played–paved the path for musicians. The song became the first of its kind to become a Top 40 hit.
Shearin has also become a significant part of the hip-hop community, working with artists like Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson.
He said this particular bass is one of the most important instruments of his career.
“It was the first bass my dad ever bought me, the first one I ever played in a talent show,” Shearin said. “Most importantly, there is always a great starting place, and I guess that’s where this one ended up. For the sake of the start, but I think it’s in a better place for the good of the Rock Hall and people who get a chance to see it.”