Chic (stylized as CHIC) is an iconic American disco band founded in 1972 by guitarist Nile Rodgers and bassist Bernard Edwards. Originally performing under names like The Boys and The Big Apple Band, they played gigs throughout New York City before settling on the name Chic in 1976 following a naming conflict. The duo initially joined the group New York City, known for the 1973 hit “I’m Doing Fine Now”, before forming Chic as a new musical vision.
Between 1977 and 1979, Chic released a string of influential disco hits including “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)”, “Everybody Dance”, “Le Freak”, “I Want Your Love”, and the genre-defining “Good Times.” The band was known for its sophisticated style and tight grooves, blending rock sensibilities with disco rhythms, often referring to themselves as “a rock band for the disco movement” with a message of peace, love, and freedom.
Chic’s minimalist yet powerful sound became a cornerstone of the disco era and had a far-reaching influence beyond it. Their track “Good Times” became a foundational sample in hip-hop, famously used in The Sugarhill Gang’s “Rapper’s Delight” and Grandmaster Flash’s “The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel.” Blondie’s hit “Rapture” was also heavily inspired by Chic, and lead singer Debbie Harry’s solo debut KooKoo was produced by Rodgers and Edwards.
Despite their critical and cultural impact, Chic was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame an astounding eleven times, including a nomination in 2017. Eventually, the group evolved into Nile Rodgers & Chic, continuing to tour and perform as pioneers and ambassadors of the disco legacy.