Flash It to The Beat / Fusion Beats Vol. 2

Flash It To The Beat/Fusion Beats (Vol .2) is an EP released in 1980 by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5. Released under Bozo Meko Records, this EP was recorded live by Grandmaster Flash and The Furious 5. Side A is a bootleg from a show at Bronx River Centre featuring Flash manually operating a drum machine while the Furious Five rhyme over the top. It was released without Flash's knowledge or permission. This A side is a 'Tactic Mark' Production. Side B is a pause-tape cut-up track, supposedly recorded by Afrika Bambaataa, Afrika Islam, and Jazzy Jay. 

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 and 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 was 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.