First, there was Breed – Flint’s hip-hop pioneer whose work resulted in a new musical sub-genre that put Flint on the map for rap talent. In the early 80s, rap or hip-hop was gaining a hold on the country. When the Sugar Hill Gang released “Rapper’s Delight” in 1980 to a national audience, the song got the world’s attention and young people began to embrace the sound. In 1984, Run D.M.C. released their self-titled debut, LL Cool J released his debut “Radio” in ’85 and the genre exploded. Street corners were full of youngsters and adults showing off their newfound talents or engaging in good-natured “rap battles.” DJs started working crowds in every major city. Despite the increasing interest in hip-hop throughout the country, artists and players on all of the major labels hailed from the East and West Coasts with L.A. and New York at the forefront; but in 1991, a man from the Midwest broke out with a new style and sound that would pave the way for a region and a city. That man was MC Breed and his story, along with that of fellow Flint artist, Ira “Bootleg” Dorsey, is the focus of Michigan State University’s “Rap on Flint” project.