The Rapper

For the TV episode, see "The Rapper" (Twenty Twelve).

For other uses, see Rap (disambiguation).

"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 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
"Need Your Love" (1970) "The Rapper" (1970) "I Call My Baby Candy" (1970)
45 RPM colored vinyl
Limited edition release

Background

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]

Chart performance

Weekly charts Chart (1970) Peak position Australian (Kent Music Report)[6] 32 Canada RPM[7] 3 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[8] 2 U.S. Cash Box Top 100[9] 2 U.S. Record World Singles[3] 1

Year-end charts Chart (1970) Rank Canada [10] 48 U.S. Billboard Hot 100[11] 45 U.S. Cash Box Top 100[12] 34

Certifications

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[13]	Gold	1,000,000^
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

Covers

"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.

Album appearances

• We Went to Different Schools Together, 1970 (The Jaggerz)
• Live! At Nick's Fat City, 1998 (Donnie Iris)
• 20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Donnie Iris, 2001 (Donnie Iris)
• Re-Rapped by Request, 2001 (The Jaggerz)
• Ah! Live!, 2009 (Donnie Iris)
• Full Circle, 2010 (Jimmie Ross)

See also

• List of 1970s one-hit wonders in the United States

References

1. Popoff, Martin (2009). Goldmine Price Guide to 45 RPM Records. Krause Publications. p. 357. ISBN 978-0-89689-958-2.
2. The Jaggerz. "The Rapper". YouTube. Retrieved 19 September 2023. Provided to YouTube by Sony Music Entertainment
3. Tady, Scott. "50 years ago, the Jaggerz topped the charts". The Beaver County Times. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
4. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. p. 262. ISBN 0-214-20512-6. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
5. "The Rapper by The Jaggerz". Archived from the original on 2019-05-27. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
6. Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 153. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.
7. "RPM Top 100 Singles - March 28, 1970" (PDF).
8. "March 21, 1970". Billboard Hot 100. Archived from the original on 2018-02-05. Retrieved 2022-01-21.
9. "Top 100 1970-03-21". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-03-02. Retrieved 2015-11-26.
10. "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". collectionscanada.gc.ca. 17 July 2013. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2017.
11. "Top 100 Hits of 1970/Top 100 Songs of 1970". Musicoutfitters.com. Archived from the original on 2017-10-10. Retrieved 2016-10-03.
12. "Top 100 Year End Charts: 1970". Cashbox Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-09-22. Retrieved 2016-07-07.
13. "American single certifications – Jaggerz – The Rapper". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 7, 2024.

External Links

• The Rapper at Discogs (list of releases)