“The Message” became the first hip-hop recording added to the United States National Recording Registry.
Released in 1982, the song was credited to Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, although the group’s DJ Grandmaster Flash was not involved in recording the track itself. The recording was written primarily by Ed Fletcher and Duke Bootee, with vocal performance by Melle Mel.
Its stark verses about poverty, pressure, and life in New York City helped move hip-hop beyond party-focused lyrics. The repeated line “Don’t push me ’cause I’m close to the edge” became one of rap’s best-known hooks.
The Library of Congress added “The Message” to the registry in 2002, recognizing recordings considered culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant. It is separate from the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which is an institution honoring artists and industry figures.