[Ads-l] Better Antedating of "Rap" (Musical Genre)

[Shapiro, Fred]

I have previously posted a 1974 citation as an antedating of OED's 1980 first use of the term "rap" as a musical genre.  I now think that that was a mistake, as the 1974 article refers to Lou Rawls, Isaac Hayes, and Barry White, who were not rappers.  Below is what I believe to be a much better antedating;

rap (OED, n2, 8.c., 1980)

1979 Commercial Appeal (Memphis) 4 Nov. 12/2 (Newspapers.com)

The black music scene infected with nauseating "rap" songs by groups like the Sugar Hill Gang.

Fred Shapiro



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