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"The Rapper" | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Single by The Jaggerz | ||||
from the album We Went to Different Schools Together | ||||
B-side | "Born Poor" | |||
Released | January 1970 [1] | |||
Genre | Rock, pop | |||
Length | 2:41 | |||
Label | Kama Sutra KA 502 | |||
Songwriter(s) | Dominic Ierace | |||
Producer(s) | Sixuvus Productions | |||
The Jaggerz singles chronology | ||||
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45 RPM colored vinyl | ||||
"The Rapper" is a song by The Jaggerz, written by band member Donnie Iris. [2] Released as a single, it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart, behind Simon & Garfunkel's smash "Bridge Over Troubled Water" on 20 March 1970, it reached No. 1 on the Record World Singles chart. [3] It was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1970 (see 1970 in music) for selling over a million copies. [4]
The song is addressed to a girl, or girls in general; it describes the method of a man who seduces women with untruths ("rapping"). The singer says, "You know what he's after"; he concludes by saying there comes a point at which the man has his target where he wants her, and the girl has to "face reality". The record ends with a small burst of applause heard in the studio.
The "rapper" of the title and "rappin'" in the lyrics have only some coincidental resemblance to the vocal style of rapping. [5]
Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA) [13] | Gold | 1,000,000^ |
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone. |
"The Rapper" has been covered by two Jaggerz members. Since beginning his solo career, Donnie Iris has covered the song numerous times in concert. Additionally, live recordings of the song have appeared on his compilation albums.
Also, "The Rapper" was covered by Jimmie Ross during the time period when The Jaggerz weren't together. Additionally, the single was covered by Wolfman Jack. Canadian hard rock trio Santers recorded the song for their 1981 debut album Shot Down In Flames.
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The Jaggerz are an American rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They came to national attention with their single "The Rapper" which was released on the Kama Sutra label. "The Rapper" was No. 1 in the Record World Charts and No. 2 in the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1970. Having sold over one million copies, the recording received a gold record awarded by the R.I.A.A.
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Jimmie Ross is an American rock guitarist and vocalist who is best known for being a member of Pittsburgh band the Jaggerz, known for their 1970 hit "The Rapper". During the band's initial existence of 1965-1976, the bassist shared the duties of lead vocalist with guitarist Donnie Iris. By the time the Jaggerz regrouped in 1989, Iris was well into his solo career, and Ross became the sole lead vocalist and remained bassist. He continues to hold both positions today.
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