Spoonie Gee facts for kids

Gabriel Jackson (born May 27, 1963), known as Spoonie Gee, is a very early rap artist. He was one of the first to release rap songs in the 1970s. Many people say he helped create the term hip hop. His music also influenced later rap styles.

Spoonie Gee's Early Life and Music

Gabriel Jackson was born in Harlem, New York City. He got his nickname 'Spoonie' as a child. This was because he only used a spoon to eat his food.

When he was young, he moved in with his uncle, Bobby Robinson. His uncle was a famous record producer. Living with his uncle, Spoonie Gee started practicing his rapping skills.

How Spoonie Gee Started Recording

Spoonie Gee's first song came about by chance. A person named Peter Brown visited his uncle's record store. Brown was looking to make a rap record. Spoonie's name was suggested to him.

Spoonie Gee then recorded his first song, "Spoonin' Rap." It was released on Peter Brown's record label. This song had a unique sound with echo effects on his voice.

Joining The Treacherous Three

After "Spoonin' Rap," Spoonie Gee recorded for his uncle's label, Enjoy! Records. His next song was "Love Rap." This song was released with "New Rap Language" by The Treacherous Three. Because of "Love Rap," he was sometimes called 'The Love Rapper.'

Spoonie Gee was a founding member of The Treacherous Three. He started the group with L.A. Sunshine and Kool Moe Dee. Even when he left to record solo, he stayed friends with the group. He even helped them get their first record deal. For a time, the group was called Spoonie Gee and the Treacherous Three.

Moving to New Record Labels

Spoonie Gee later joined Sugar Hill Records. Here, he had more popular songs. These included "Spoonie's Back" and "Monster Jam." He recorded "Monster Jam" with the group The Sequence.

In 1985, he moved to the Tuff City label. Most of his later music was released here. This included "That's My Style." In the mid-1980s, he also worked to help people with learning disabilities.

The Godfather of Rap Album

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

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

In 2008, his song "Love Rap" was recognized as a very important hip hop song. It was ranked highly on a list of the 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop.

Spoonie Gee's Music Releases

Spoonie Gee has released several albums and many single songs.

Albums

• The Godfather of Rap (1987), Tuff City
• Old and New Jams (1989), BCM (a collection of songs)
• Old and New Jams/The Godfather (1993), BCM (another collection)
• Godfather of Hip Hop (1996), Ol' Skool Flava (a collection of his best work)

Singles

• "Spoonin' Rap" (1979), Sound of New York
• "Love Rap" (1979), Enjoy! – This was on the other 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" b/w "Take It Off " (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