Spoonie Gee facts for kids

Gabriel Jackson (born on May 27, 1963), known by his stage name Spoonie Gee, is one of the very first rap artists. He was one of the few musicians to release rap songs in the 1970s. Many people say he helped create the term "hip hop." His music also explored themes about life in the city, which became common in later rap styles.

Spoonie Gee's Early Life and Music

Gabriel Jackson was born in Harlem, a neighborhood in New York City. When he was a child, he earned the nickname 'Spoonie' because he only used a spoon to eat his food!

When he was twelve years old, his mother passed away. He then went to live with his uncle, Bobby Robinson, who was a record producer. It was in his uncle's apartment that Spoonie Gee started practicing his rapping skills.

How Spoonie Gee Started Recording

Spoonie Gee's first song came about when a person named Peter Brown visited his uncle's record store. Peter Brown was looking to make a rap record. Spoonie Gee was suggested, and he recorded a song called "Spoonin' Rap." This song was released in 1979 on Peter Brown's record label, Sound of New York, USA.

In "Spoonin' Rap," Spoonie Gee talked about real-life experiences. His voice also had a special echo effect. He became known for his early songs that described life in the city.

Joining Enjoy! Records

After his first song, Spoonie Gee started recording for his uncle Bobby Robinson's company, Enjoy! Records. His first song for this label was "Love Rap." This song was very simple and featured his brother, Pooche Costello, playing the conga drums. "Love Rap" was released on the B-side of another group's song. The B-side is the second song on a record, usually less famous than the main song.

Spoonie Gee also appeared on the main song, "New Rap Language," by a group called The Treacherous Three. Because of "Love Rap," he was sometimes called 'The Love Rapper.'

Working with The Treacherous Three

Spoonie Gee was one of the original members who helped start The Treacherous Three. The other members were L.A. Sunshine and Kool Moe Dee. Even though Spoonie Gee left the group to record his own songs, he stayed friends with them. He even helped them get their first record deal! For a short time, he rejoined the group, and they were called Spoonie Gee and the Treacherous Three before he went solo again.

Moving to New Record Labels

Spoonie Gee later left Enjoy! Records and joined Sugar Hill Records. Here, he had more popular songs like "Spoonie's Back." He also worked with a group called The Sequence on a song called "Monster Jam."

In 1985, he moved to another record label called Tuff City. Most of his later music was released on this label. One of his songs was "That's My Style." Around the mid-1980s, Spoonie Gee also worked at a center that helped people with learning disabilities.

His music career became very successful again in 1987. He released his first album, The Godfather of Rap. Famous producers Marley Marl and Teddy Riley helped create this album, which was released on the Tuff City label.

Later Career and Recognition

In the mid-1990s, a collection of his songs called Godfather of Hip Hop was released. In the mid-2000s, he released a new collection of songs called an EP, titled The Boss Is Back.

In 2008, his song "Love Rap" was recognized as one of the greatest hip hop songs. It was ranked number 65 on VH1's list of the "100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop."

Spoonie Gee's Music Albums

• The Godfather of Rap (1987), released by Tuff City
• Old and New Jams (1989), a collection of songs
• Old and New Jams/The Godfather (1993), another collection of songs
• Godfather of Hip Hop (1996), a collection of his best songs

Spoonie Gee's Singles

• "Spoonin' Rap" (1979), Sound of New York
• "Love Rap" (1979), Enjoy! (on the B-side of Treacherous Three's "New Rap Language")
• "Monster Jam" (1980), Sugar Hill (Spoonie Gee with The Sequence)
• "Spoonie Is Back" (1981), Sugar Hill
• "Re-Mix of Spoonie Rap" (1982), Heavenly Star
• "The Big Beat" (1983), Tuff City/Epic
• "Get Off My Tip" (1985), Tuff City
• "New Love Rap" (1985), Enjoy!
• "Street Girl" (1985), Tuff City
• "That's My Style"/"I'll Serve You Right" (1986), Tuff City
• "I'm All Shook Up" (1987), Tuff City
• "The Godfather" (1987), Tuff City
• "(You Ain't Just a Fool) You's an Old Fool" (1988), Tuff City
• "Mighty Mike Tyson" (1988), Tuff City
• "Spoonin' Rap" (1999), Ol' Skool Flava
• "Bodyrock" – Moby featuring Spoonie G (1999), Mute, V2
• The Boss Is Back EP (2005), New Sound of Harlem