Robbed Hit of the week 4/29/12 - Sugarhill Gang's "Apache"...

Sugarhill Gang - "Apache"

from the album 8th Wonder (1982)

Billboard Hot 100 peak: # 53

This week's robbed hit is by the breakthrough hip-hop act who had the first top-40 rap single with the classic "Rapper's Delight". The Sugarhill Gang was formed in Englewood, New Jersey by singer-turned label head Sylvia Robinson. Robinson had been half of the Mickey & Sylvia duo  ("Love Is Strange"), then had a top hit of her own in 1973 with "Pillow Talk", one of the first "disco" songs of the 70s. With husband Joseph, she signed Master Gee, Wonder Mike, and Big Bank Hank to her Sugarhill Records label, and along with labelmates Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, were the first big acts of the burgeoning rap genre.

"Apache" with the first single from their sophomore album, and while it didn't make the top-40, it climbed to #13 on the R&B chart, and got major airplay on New York and Philly radio, as well as in the dance clubs all along the east coast. The track samples the 1960 instrumental hit of the same name that Danish guitarist Jorgen Ingmann took to #2 in the US.

Taking samples from a version by the Incredible Bongo Band, with some lyrics, shout-outs to Tonto and Custer, and the awesome "Jam On It" chorus, this belongs in every wedding reception.

They went on Soul Train to perform the song, it's really grainy/quiet, but I love the fun they're havin'.

The big-butt lover himself, Sir Mix-A-Lot, redid the track as "Jump On It"...

Aye-ungaungaungaunga...