Who is considered a pioneer of rap, having released “Rapper’s Delight” in 1979?

The Sugarhill Gang

"Rapper's Delight" by The Sugarhill Gang was not only a commercial success, reaching the Top 40 of the U.S. charts, but it also marked a decisive turning point for hip-hop culture, propelling it from its underground roots to a global audience. This track introduced a wide audience to the art of rap, an accomplishment all the more remarkable because it was recorded in a single take. The song samples the famous "Good Times" by Chic, demonstrating a practice that would become characteristic of hip-hop: using samples from existing tracks to create something entirely new.