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DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash: The Fresh Air Interview At the dawn of hip-hop, Grandmaster Flash recorded hits like "The Message" and "White Lines (Don't Do it)" with the Furious Five.
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The History of Hip-Hop

Fresh Air features interviews with some of the greatest names in hip-hop history.

DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash: The Fresh Air Interview

Heard on Fresh Air

Fresh Air

DJ and Hip-Hop Pioneer Grandmaster Flash: The Fresh Air Interview

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Scott Gries/Getty Images

Grandmaster Flash.

Scott Gries/Getty Images

At the dawn of hip-hop, he recorded with the Furious Five. Their hits included "The Message" and "White Lines (Don't Do it)."

In the 1970s, Flash created the "Quick Mix Theory," the process of blending one music break with another.

(This interview originally aired July 8, 2002.)

Special Series

The History of Hip-Hop

Fresh Air features interviews with some of the greatest names in hip-hop history.