The group rose to fame in the early 1980s with their first successful single "Freedom" and later on with their magnum opus "The Message," which is often cited as among the best hip hop songs ever produced. However, in 1983, relations between Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel began straining and the group disbanded. A reunion occurred in 1987, and they released a new album, which received lukewarm reviews. Afterward, though, the sextet permanently broke up.
Overall, they were active for only five years with two studio albums. In 2007, they became the first rap group ever to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
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