In 1979, Chic released "Good Times," a disco anthem built on Bernard Edwards' iconic descending bassline and Nile Rodgers' crisp rhythm guitar. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100, becoming one of the defining records of the disco era. But "Good Times" was about to play a far more significant role in music history — one that would help launch an entirely new genre.

On August 30, 1979, Sugar Hill Gang released "Rapper's Delight," widely considered the first commercially successful hip-hop record. Its instrumental track was an interpolation of "Good Times," with the house band at Sugar Hill Records replaying Edwards and Rodgers' arrangement virtually note for note. The connection between disco's biggest hit and hip-hop's first hit was no coincidence — it reflected the reality that hip-hop DJs had been rocking disco breaks at parties for years. Grandmaster Flash had been cutting up "Good Times" on two turntables since the record came out.

Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards initially considered legal action over "Rapper's Delight" but ultimately negotiated a songwriting credit, making it one of the first sampling-related copyright agreements in music history. "Good Times" went on to be sampled hundreds more times across hip-hop, house, and pop. Its bassline is one of the most recognizable in music, and the record stands at the exact crossroads where disco, funk, and hip-hop converge.