Blowfly (musician)
The outrageous, X-rated godfather of rap parody who secretly penned classic soul hits under his real name, Clarence Reid.
1939–2016 (age 77)·American musician·Birthday: February 14·The Silent Generation
Biography
Clarence Reid lived two musical lives. By day, he was a respected songwriter and producer for TK Records in Miami, crafting smooth hits like 'Rockin' Chair' for Gwen McCrae and 'Clean Up Woman' for Betty Wright. By night, he transformed into Blowfly, a lewd, costumed superhero of filth who rewrote popular songs with explicit, comedic lyrics. Donning a makeshift cape and mask, Blowfly's underground party records in the 1970s and 80s were a direct, uncensored precursor to hip-hop's bawdier side, influencing artists from the 2 Live Crew to Ol' Dirty Bastard. His dual legacy is one of brilliant pop craftsmanship and deliberately shocking, foundational party rap that challenged every boundary.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
Blowfly was born in 1939, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Blowfly Was Born
The biggest hits of 1939
#1 Movie
Gone with the Wind
Best Picture
Gone with the Wind
Blowfly's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1939Born
World War II begins; The Wizard of Oz premieres
Gas: $0.19/galMin wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Over the Rainbow" — Judy GarlandBest Picture: Gone with the Wind
1944Started school
D-Day: Allied forces land at Normandy
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,400Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Swinging on a Star" — Bing CrosbyBest Picture: Going My Way
1952Became a teenager
Queen Elizabeth II ascends the throne
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,350Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Blue Tango" — Leroy AndersonBest Picture: The Greatest Show on Earth
1955Could drive
Rosa Parks refuses to give up her bus seat
Gas: $0.29/galHome: $9,550Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Rock Around the Clock" — Bill Haley & His CometsBest Picture: Marty
1957Could vote
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1960Turned 21
Kennedy-Nixon debates become first televised presidential debates
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $11,900Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Theme from A Summer Place" — Percy FaithBest Picture: The Apartment
1969Turned 30
Apollo 11: humans walk on the Moon; Woodstock festival
Gas: $0.35/galHome: $15,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Sugar, Sugar" — The ArchiesBest Picture: Midnight Cowboy
1979Turned 40
Iran hostage crisis begins; Three Mile Island accident
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $37,900Min wage: $2.90/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"My Sharona" — The KnackBest Picture: Kramer vs. Kramer
1989Turned 50
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1999Turned 60
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2009Turned 70
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2016Died at 77
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
Key Achievements
- Wrote and produced the 1971 R&B hit "Clean Up Woman" for Betty Wright.
- Released what is often cited as the first rap record, "Rapp Dirty," in 1980 under the Blowfly persona.
- Had his music sampled by numerous hip-hop artists, including Ice-T and N.W.A.
- Maintained a cult performing career for decades, documented in the 2011 film "The Weird World of Blowfly."
Did You Know?
He claimed to have invented the stage name "Blowfly" after seeing a pimp with that nickname in a newspaper.
His Blowfly persona was partly inspired by the comedy of Rudy Ray Moore (Dolemite).
He was inducted into the Miami Soul Music Hall of Fame.
He continued performing as Blowfly while undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
“I was rapping before there was rap.”
