Before being considered as a seminal rap artist who influenced hip-hop and gangsta rap, Clarence "Blowfly" Reid was a longtime R & B singer and songwriter ("Clean-Up Woman" for Betty Wright and "Rocking Chair" for Gwen McCrae are probably his best known songs). His lyrics were funny, direct and explicit; his onstage persona as "Blowfly," along with his antic live performances, was unforgettable.