Leather Cummerbund Worn by The Kidd Creole

Leather cummerbund worn by The Kidd Creole of Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five

This custom-made leather cummerbund was formerly owned by Kidd Creole a member of Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five. Kid Creole’s custom leather cummerbund, with its lightning bolt emblem, is particularly representative of the fashion in the 80s. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five were known for their elaborate fashion pieces decorated with flashy custom-made leathers, rhinestones, furs, and tassels. The group’s onstage dress reflected the glamours of funk, rock and sci-fi fashions that were popular in the 1970s by musicians such as George Clinton.

Kidd Creole was one of Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5’s original three MCs, along with Melle Mel and Keef Cowboy. Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5 expanded the culture of hip-hop across the globe with their rapping and DJing skills. Making their debut as a group that performed for local parties in the Bronx then the world, the Furious 5 included Grandmaster Flash (Joseph Saddler, b. 1958), Melle Mel (Melvin Glover, b.1961), his brother The Kidd Creole (Nathaniel Glover, b.1960), Keef Cowboy (Robert Keith Wiggins, b. 1960-1989), Mr. Ness a.k.a. Scorpio (Eddie Morris, b. 1960) and Rahiem (Guy Williams, b.1963) from the Funky 4+1 more. The group is widely regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop groups of all time and inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2007 as the first hip hop group to be inducted. With hits like, "Freedom", "Birthday Party" and "The Message", Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five stood out as a unique group due to their ability to finish each other’s rhymes, mixing melodies and harmonies while also being able to keep the crowd hyped and engaged.