Sha-rock — whose birth name is Sharon Green — grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and soon moved to the South Bronx.
NEW HANOVER COUNTY (WWAY)–Black History Month is about remembering important events, places, and people – many who forged a path for others. One woman from Wilmington was a pioneer in the hip-hop culture, and she’s considered the first-ever female rapper.
The mother of the mic is known for her long-winded raps in New York City. She became the first female MC in hip-hop history.
“I go by the name MC Sha-Rock. I am the first female emcee of hip-hop- rapper of hip-hop culture- whatever of hip-hop culture period,” Green explained.
Sha-rock — whose birth name is Sharon Green — grew up in Wilmington, North Carolina, and soon moved to the South Bronx. She always had a passion for music and would sometimes show the boys back home her skills.
“My mom kept me and my brother and sisters into music. She would sign us up for poetry slam classes. I would come back and rap to the boys, and my grandma would say, ‘You’re always in those boys’ faces,’ and I said, ‘Grandma, one time I’m going to make you proud of me,” Green said.
And with that newly discovered skill, things took off for Green.
Program Director for WMNX (97.3), Brandon “Bigg B” Hickman, says Green’s rhymes propelled her in the industry.
“Her flow is the soundtrack of what we envisioned what people said it wasn’t going to be. People said Hip-Hop wasn’t going to be. It was just a Phad,” Hickman shared.
She won rap competitions and later auditioned for a group called the Disco Brothers, where she got the name “MC Sha-Rock” from the group’s manager, Jazzy D.
“Because my name is Sharon, the manager was like, ‘Look, you did well. We’re going to shorten your name and call you Sha because you rocked it.’ So, he gave me the name Sha-Rock,” Green shared.
Hickman believes Green was better than other male rappers during that time.
“I think she was a little ahead of them. Those guys were all lyrics, and so, she was just as good or better than them,” Hickman shared.
The group later became the Funky 4 + 1 More, making Sha-Rock the first female to sign to a record label. Even appeared on Saturday Night Live, making them the first hip-hop group to perform on national TV.
“Debbie Harry, she could’ve chosen anybody. She comes from a rock band where she was the leader, and because I was a female, she was like look, ‘We have similarities. So, let’s get the funky 4 + 1 to come on SNL.’”
In present music, there are more female rappers than ever before, including Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj, Cardi B, and more. When WWAY asked Green for her thoughts about present-day rappers, she said she enjoys them but wants some of their music to send a message.
“When they find out who I am, they show mad love and respect. Music is subjective to everyone, but I would say make a record or two that has a message,” Greene shared.
Greene paved the way for other female artists to flourish. So, when you see other female rappers today, let’s not forget who started it all, “MC Sha-Rock.”
Sha-rock will be traveling back to Wilmington on March 1st to receive a “Living Legends Award” from the Commission of African American History. She’ll be back again on May 17th for a free concert, where Wilmington will honor the day as ‘Sha-Rock Day.’
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
