The Sequence
The Sequence was an American hip hop group from Columbia, South Carolina, formed in 1979 by Angie B. (Angela Brown), Blondy (Gwendolyn Chisolm), and Cheryl the Pearl (Cheryl Cook). They became famous for Funk You Up (1979), one of the first rap songs by women and a early major hit in hip hop. Their debut album, Sugar Hill Presents The Sequence (1980), was the first hip hop record on vinyl by an all‑female act.
Early on, they wrote and performed songs for other Sugar Hill Records artists, including Let’s Dance (Make Your Body Move) by West Street Mob. The Sequence released a second album, The Sequence (1982), and a third, The Sequence Party (1983). They reportedly sold a million records worldwide, making them the first female hip hop act to reach that milestone.
Origins and rise to fame: Brown, Chisolm, and Cook grew up as childhood friends in the Saxon Homes Projects in Columbia. They studied music and dance, met Sylvia Robinson of Sugar Hill Records, and signed with the label as its first female act. They adopted stage names—Angie B., Blondy, and Cheryl the Pearl—and started recording their debut.
Funk You Up and early success: The group released Funk You Up in December 1979, which became a landmark as one of the first original hip hop songs without sampling. It reached number 15 on the Hot Soul Singles chart, and The Sequence went on tour with The Sugarhill Gang. In 1980 they released their debut album, along with singles Monster Jam and And You Know That. A remake, Funky Sound (Tear the Roof Off), charted at number 43 on Hot Soul Singles.
The Sequence expanded into writing and background vocals: In 1981 they contributed background vocals to songs on Sugar Hill Records, including West Street Mob’s Sing a Simple Song and Let’s Dance (Make Your Body Move). Cheryl the Pearl co‑wrote songs for The Sugarhill Gang and Ferrari.
Second album and chart activity: The self-titled The Sequence (1982) peaked at 51 on the Black LPs chart. The first single, I Don’t Need Your Love (Part One), reached number 40 on the Hot Soul Singles chart. They toured again with The Sugarhill Gang.
Later albums and split: In late 1982 they released Here Comes the Bride, and in 1983 their third album The Sequence Party came out. They continued releasing music, including the single I Just Want to Know. In 1985 they released Funk You Up ’85 and Control, but then left Sugar Hill Records after a dispute over royalties and advances. Angie B. also wanted a larger advance, and internal disagreements followed. The group disbanded that year.
After the breakup: Blondy worked in telemarketing and stayed connected with Sugar Hill co‑founder Joe Robinson, whom she had seen involved in a confrontation at a meeting. Cheryl the Pearl left the music industry to work in home health care. Angie B. pursued a solo path, using the name Angie Stone after marriage, and later formed the group Vertical Hold (1993–1995). The group occasionally reunited for performances, including appearances at the Essence Festival in 2008, a 2011 single credited to The Sequence featuring Blondy and Cheryl the Pearl, and a 2016 Capital Jazz Cruise appearance. In 2019 they reunited to perform Funk You Up at the Neighborhood-to-Neighborhood Festival. In 2020 Cheryl the Pearl released a solo single, Your Way My Way.
Legacy: The Sequence is recognized as the first female hip hop act, with Funk You Up widely sampled in later songs. Some later credits and claims of inspiration have highlighted their influence, and they have been acknowledged for their pioneering role in hip hop.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 09:01 (CET).