The Rapper

"The Rapper" is a song by The Jaggerz, written by band member Dominic Ierace, better known as Donnie Iris. Released as a single, it reached No. 2 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart and was certified Gold by the RIAA in 1970 (see 1970 in music) for selling over a million copies.^[1] (Iris later launched a solo career; his biggest such hit was Ah! Leah!.)

The song is addressed to a girl, or girls in general; it describes the method of a man who seduces women with untruths ("rapping".) The singer says, "You know what he's after"; he concludes by saying there comes a point at which the man has his target where he wants her. The girl has to "face reality." The record ends with a small group of applause heard in the studio.

Covers

"The Rapper" has been covered by two Jaggerz members. Since beginning his solo career, Donnie Iris has covered the song numerous times in concert. Additionally, live recordings of the song have appeared on his compilation albums.

Also, "The Rapper" was covered by Jimmie Ross during the time period when The Jaggerz weren't together in the duo Cooper & Ross with Kathy Cooper. Additionally, the single was covered by Wolfman Jack. Canadian hard rock trio Santers recorded the song for their 1981 debut album Shot Down In Flames.

Album appearances

We Went to Different Schools Together, 1970 (The Jaggerz)
Live! At Nick's Fat City, 1998 (Donnie Iris)
20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Donnie Iris, 2001 (Donnie Iris)
Re-Rapped by Request, 2001 (The Jaggerz)
Ah! Live!, 2009 (Donnie Iris)
Full Circle, 2010 (Jimmie Ross)

Chart performance

Weekly singles charts

Chart (1969-70)	Peak position
Canada RPM	3
U.S. Billboard Hot 100	2
U.S. Cash Box Top 100 ^[2]	2

Year-end charts

Chart (1970)	Rank
Canada	48
U.S. Billboard Hot 100 ^[3]	45
U.S. Cash Box ^[4]	34

References

The Jaggerz

Jimmie Ross Dominic Ierace Bill Maybray Thom Davies Jim Pugliano Benny Faiella Larry Lorey Mike Caporizzo

Studio albums	Introducing the Jaggerz (1969) We Went to Different Schools Together (1970) Come Again (1975) And the Band Played On... (1998) Re-Rapped by Request (2001)

Solo albums	Full Circle (Jimmie Ross, 2010) Donnie Iris discography

Singles	"(That’s Why) Baby I Love You" "Gotta Find My Way Back Home" "Ain't No Sun" "The Rapper" "I Call My Baby Candy" "Memoirs of the Traveller" "2 + 2"

Related bands	The Skyliners Wild Cherry Donnie Iris and the Cruisers

Donnie Iris

Studio albums	Back on the Streets King Cool The High and the Mighty Fortune 410 No Muss...No Fuss Out of the Blue Footsoldier in the Moonlight Poletown Together Alone Ellwood City Ah! Leluiah!

EPs	You Can't Really Miss Me If I Never Go Away

Live albums	Live! At Nick's Fat City Ah! Live!

Compilations	20th Century Masters: The Millennium Collection: The Best of Donnie Iris 25 Years

Video/DVD Releases	Live at Blossom King Cool: Ah! History of Donnie Iris and the Cruisers

Singles	"Ah! Leah!" "I Can't Hear You" "Sweet Merilee" "Love Is Like a Rock" "My Girl" "Tough World" "The High and the Mighty" "Do You Compute?" "Injured in the Game of Love"

The Cruisers	Mark Avsec Brice Foster Paul Goll Marty Lee Hoenes Albritton McClain Steve McConnell Tommy Rich Mark Tirabassi Kevin Valentine Scott Alan Williamson

Related bands	The Jaggerz Wild Cherry Cellarful of Noise The Innocent

Other	"The Rapper" Discography King Cool Light Cellarful of Noise (Cellarful of Noise, 1985) Magnificent Obsession (Cellarful of Noise, 1988)

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