Known to millions as “Dolemite”—the provocative tough-talking hustler he played in his most popular films and albums—Rudy Ray Moore built a loyal and lasting following, especially among a later generation of hip-hop artists, who dubbed him “The Godfather of Rap.” While his party records and street hustler persona outraged critics, they gave an unapologetic voice to the Black urban experience and inspired generations of comics who came after him.

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