Crash Crew

The Crash Crew was one of the most electrifying groups of the early Hip-Hop era. The six member crew (EK Mike C, Reggie Reg, La Shu Bee, G-Man, Barry Bistro, and DJ Daryl C (R.I.P.)) was also one of the earliest Hip-Hop groups to form outside of the Bronx, NY.

The Crash Crew formed in 1977, in the Harlem section of the Lincoln Projects on 135th and 5th Ave. The crew used harmony in their routines, which were usually derived from television theme songs, and created rhymes around the melodies. They played a big part in Hip-Hop’s successful transition from performing in local parks and community centers, to recording records and doing shows around the U.S.

Some of their hit songs include “High Powered Rap” (which Jay-Z used on his song “Girls, Girls, Girls” without giving the Crash Crew proper credit), “On the Radio”, “We Are Known as Emcees”, and “Breaking Bells”.

By releasing their 12” single, “High Powered Rap”, independently on Mike and Dave Records, the group became one of the earliest Hip-Hop groups to release and distribute a record on their own indie label.