Before Nicki, Before Cardi…

Before Nicki, Before Cardi… There Was Pebblee Poo

If you’re really into hip-hop — not just what’s trending, but the roots of it — then honestly, you should know the name MC Pebblee Poo. Most people don’t. And yeah… that’s kind of the issue.

She was born Pebbles Riley, raised in the Bronx, right when everything was changing. Hip-hop wasn’t even “hip-hop” yet — it was just something forming in real time. And she wasn’t just watching it happen… she was part of it.

From the Streets to the Park Jams

Like a lot of early stories, it starts outside. Bronx, 1970s. Block parties, music everywhere, buildings falling apart but culture coming alive at the same time.

She started out as a b-girl, dancing. That was her entry point.

Then producer Dr. Bomb-Bay noticed her — saw something there — and started bringing her around to DJ Kool Herc’s park jams. And if you know anything about hip-hop, you know those parties weren’t just parties… they were basically where everything began.

Getting into that circle wasn’t small. That was ground zero.

Kool Herc’s First Female MC

And here’s where it gets wild — she didn’t just show up and watch.

She became part of the Herculords. Actually got on the mic.
Not just as a backup either… she became Kool Herc’s first female MC soloist.

Pause on that for a second.

At the very beginning of hip-hop — before the industry, before the fame — a woman was already holding her own on the mic. That part doesn’t get talked about enough, honestly.

Masterdon Committee Era

Around 1980, she joined The Masterdon Committee (yeah, her brother led it — but she earned her spot).

And in 1983, they dropped “Funk Box Party.”
If you’ve ever heard that “Unh na na na na” chant… yeah, that came from there.

It blew up in New York, and later on even got reused by Master P. That alone tells you how far ahead they were.

She wasn’t just around — she was part of the sound.

Going Solo

She signed with Profile Records (same label as Run-DMC, by the way), and in 1985 dropped “A Fly Guy.”It was a response track to “A Fly Girl” — kind of playful, sharp, competitive… everything hip-hop was at the time.And it worked. People remember that record.

Working with Legends

Look at who she was around:

Grandmaster Flash.
KRS-One.
Biz Markie.

Not random names — these are pillars of the culture.

She even worked on the No Small Affair soundtrack with Malcolm McLaren. So yeah… she wasn’t on the sidelines. She was right in it.

More Than Just Music

What’s interesting is she didn’t just stay in music either.

She’s mentored thousands of young people — like, over 2,000. Helped connect them to opportunities in music, dance, performance… real stuff.

Worked with the Bronx Borough President’s office, helped organize events, stayed connected to the community that raised her.

Now she’s also a speaker, author, even in real estate. Just kept evolving.

So Why Don’t People Talk About Her?

That’s the real question.

When people bring up women in hip-hop, you hear names like MC Sha-Rock or Roxanne Shanté — and they deserve that recognition.

But Pebblee Poo? She was there just as early. Maybe earlier than some.

The fact that her name doesn’t come up as much… that’s not about her impact. That’s about how the story’s been told.

Go Look Her Up

Seriously — go listen to “A Fly Guy.”
Check out “Funk Box Party.”

Then think about this:
You’re hearing one of the first voices that ever picked up a mic in hip-hop.

She was there from the start.
It’s just taking people a while to catch up.