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Rob "Da Noize" Temple is best known for performing with the Sugarhill Gang, a hip-hop group formed in 1975. He's been involved in the music industry for over 50 years and has been featured in more than 7,000 songs throughout his career.
But before he became a fixture in the hip-hop world, Temple had to overcome a handicap: He was born with a condition that stunted the growth of his right arm.
Today, it places him among a small number of artists with disabilities in an emerging genre called "krip-hop."
During an event last night at the Kimmel Center hosted by the LGBT office, Temple discussed krip-hop and the ways his disability has impacted his career.
"We know it's an image-driven industry," Temple said. "When was the last time you saw a music video on MTV with a beautiful girl on a bed and a brother rolls in in a wheelchair? Think about it."
Recently, Temple joined forces with other handicapped artists around the world to form Krip-Hop Nation. So far, the group has released two CDs and continues to meet frequently as it looks toward a new album.
But Temple said many music labels have trouble marketing disabled musicians and described a conversation with a label that told him, "You never got a deal because of your arm. We can't market you."
He said it made him feel " ... like we don't exist."
Temple said the krip-hop artists have had to fight many battles, including dealing with name-calling like Temple's nickname "the one-arm bandit." But he said they have ways to publicize their work to a supportive audience that is intrigued by their music and not their disability.
Gallatin junior Anna Mullen said she was impressed with last night's event.
"Not only was it inspiring to hear about the krip-hop movement, it was really eye-opening to see how all of our issues and movements are all connected and can really affect and inspire each other," Mullen said.
