Edward Fletcher, aka Duke Bootee, could have justifiably received top billing for "The Message" (1982), a Top Five Hot Black Singles hit -- credited to Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five -- that manifested hip-hop's potential as a medium for sociopolitical commentary. Fletcher wasn't merely the featured MC beside Melle Mel, as the single noted. He came up with the idea for the track, co-wrote and co-produced it, and performed most of its funk instrumentation, almost single-handedly illuminating the link between rap music and visionary street reporters such as the Last Poets and Gil Scott-Heron. Fletcher went on to release an album as Duke Bootee, Bust Me Out (1984), but was soon out of the music industry, deeply invested in what proved to be a long career as an educator.