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.

Yo MTV Raps was 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 Daddio, is a member of the Brooklyn Bread Group Stetsasonic.

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

And over the decade, they put their mark on this growing industry with hits like Sally and talking all that jazz.

Stop. Check it out, my man. This is the music of a hip hop band. Jazz, where you can call it that. But this jazz retains a new format.

But as their star was on the rise, so was the violence surrounding hip-hop, and it was threatening their livelihood.

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

On another level, it's like, I hope nothing don't happen so the club don't get shut down and we can't get to perform. On another level, it's like, I hope nothing don't 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.

I'm like, how is this all related to hip-hop music?

The violence wasn't because of hip-hop, but for many of rap's core fans,

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