Keith "Cowboy" Wiggins (also known as Keef Cowboy), born Robert Keith Wiggins on September 20, 1960, was an influential figure in the foundational era of hip-hop.Here is a summary of the information available about him:Pioneering Rapper: He was an American rapper from The Bronx, New York City.Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five: Cowboy was a member of the legendary group Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five."Hip Hop" Terminology: He is widely credited with inventing the term "hip hop" in 1978. He did this while scat-singing the made-up words "hip/hop/hip/hop" to mimic the rhythmic cadence of marching soldiers, specifically while teasing a friend who had just joined the United States Army. He later worked this cadence into his stage performances.Performance Role: He was a pioneer in the use of the call-and-response style to communicate with the audience. He was initially recruited as an MC, a dancer, and a hype man for Grandmaster Flash (then DJ Flash) by 1977.Later Career: In 1983, he left the group and joined Melle Mel, with whom he recorded the single "White Lines (Don't Don't Do It)" and the album Grandmaster Melle Mel and the Furious Five in 1985.
