Triggerman: The Forgotten Anthem that Shaped Southern Rap
In the borough of Queens, not far from hip-hop’s birthplace The Bronx, a groundbreaking record emerged in an unexpected place – the front seat of a Jeep.
The year was 1986, and Hollis, Queens, already home to hip-hop icons like Russell Simmons, Run-D.M.C., and LL Cool J, was ripe with creativity.
Two teenage friends, Orville Hall and Phillip Price, known as the Showboys, were determined to create a hit that would set them apart from their formidable peers.
Their journey led them to a eureka moment while watching an old episode of "Dragnet" on TV.
The distinctive theme song sparked the creation of "Drag Rap," a six-minute storytelling masterpiece that transported listeners into a gritty turf war between two Queens gangsters, "Bugs" Can Can and Phil D, AKA "Triggerman."
What set "Drag Rap" apart was its unique format – it mimicked a television show, complete with a commercial break that incorporated Wendy's iconic "Where's the beef?" catchphrase and an Irish Spring soap whistle.
The Showboys' innovation didn’t stop there; they collaborated with legendary DJ Jam Master Jay, who suggested adding the Irish Spring whistle to the track.
