Greatest Hits

Liner Note Author: Donald H. Randell.
Photographer: David E.
An X-rated comedian who has used jazz and R&B accompaniment when delivering his raunchy rhymes, Rudy Ray Moore has been called the Godfather of Rap (a title that has also been used to describe sociopolitical soulster Gil Scott-Heron). Among non-Black audiences, Moore was never as well known as Richard Pryor, Eddie Murphy or Redd Foxx, but he has commanded a loyal cult following in the Black community and has influenced hip-hoppers ranging from the 2 Live Crew to Ice-T to Big Daddy Kane (who hired him as a guest on his 1990 recording "Big Daddy Vs. Dolemite"), not to mention Blowfly. A perfect introduction to Moore's 1970s work, this 1997 CD boasts such outrageously funny cult classics as "Dolemite," "Signifying Monkey" and "Hurricane Annie." Moore doesn't hesitate to be sexually explicit, and many of his characters were pimps, players, hustlers and prostitutes. Admittedly, Moore isn't for everyone. But those who aren't offended by the profane and the sexually explicit shouldn't miss these classic recordings, which are both historically important and incredibly entertaining. ~ Alex Henderson