Tag Archives: The Weird World of Blowfly

'Weird World of Blowfly' Shines Light on Rap/Soul Hero

Variance Films

It's a testament to Clarence Reid that many of his best-known songs are unprintable on this site. In 1971, Reid, already a prominent soul singer and songwriter, adopted the alter ego Blowfly, a foul-mouthed character whose sexually explicit songs and outlandish costumes enthralled and disgusted in equal measure.

With a combination of classic song parodies and original tracks, Blowfly’s sing-rap style, recorded years before Sugarhill Gang’s "Rapper’s Delight," laid the template for hip-hop and influenced everyone from Chuck D to Ice-T to Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Reid has always remained a cult figure in music, though in the new documentary "The Weird World of Blowfly," director Jonathan Furmanski chronicles the past and present of the 72-year-old's career. Still rocking crowds. Still dressing up. Still disgusting and perverse in the best way possible. Get More »