A heads up.

This episode contains several instances of profanity.

By the end of the 80s, hip hop was finding its rhythm.

The culture was reaching new heights.

Rappers had achieved stardom with massive followings.

YoMTV wraps with featuring rap videos on cable TV every single day.

There were world tours and platinum records, but all of the success still felt fragile.

It was tough on us because you get ready to go do a show and you're hoping like, man,

I hope nothing will happen in here tonight.

Glenn Bolton, aka Daddy Yo, is a member of the Brooklyn Bread Group Stetsisonic.

The group formed in the early 80s and was one of the first rap groups to perform with

the full band and over the decade they put their mark on this growing industry with

hits like Sally and talking all that jazz.

But as their star was on the rise, so was the violent surrounding hip hop and it was threatening

their livelihood.

You know, I hope nothing will happen so we don't get to perform.

On another level, it was like, I hope nothing will happen so the club don't get shut down

and we can't perform next week.

Adding to the pressure, the media began associating hip hop with the rising crime.

Oh, somebody got shot at a house party and they were playing rap music.

There was somebody walking down the block and the car went by and they were playing rap

music and the shootout happened.

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