Sample Flips: Sparky Dee – “I Want You Back” (Prod. By Spyder-D)

Sparky Dee is a rapper from Brooklyn, New York who came up in the ’80s.  She first joined The Playgirls, a local hip hop group of female emcees.   The group included Mona (Mo Ski) and Lisa (City Slim).  In 1983, they recorded one of their standout tracks, “Our Picture of A Man,” and in 1984, it was released on Sutra Records.  During this time, Dee met rapper and producer Spyder-D.  Shortly after, they started working together.  One of their first collaborations was “Sparky’s Turn (Roxanne You’re Through).”

This record was significant because it was a response to Roxanne Shante’s infamous song “Roxanne’s Revenge.”  Shante’s record was directed at U.T.F.O. because of their song “Roxanne, Roxanne.”  Spyder-D thought Sparky Dee should respond, then Sparky Dee’s response kicked off The Roxanne Wars.  The Roxanne Wars yielded a series of battle records between Roxanne Shante, Sparky Dee, and a number of other rappers.  After the dust settled, Sparky Dee released her debut album, This is Sparky D’s World (1988).  “I Want You Back” is featured on the album and it’s a reminder of her talent outside of the battles.

Sparky Dee – “I Want You Back” (Prod. By Spyder-D)