With their lush, funky grooves and timeless hooks, the band Chic defined—and transcended—the late-’70s disco era. The group delivered hits like “Le Freak” and “Good Times,” the latter of which played a key role in the development of hip-hop. • The roots of Chic lie in the Big Apple Band, an early-’70s outfit featuring guitarist Nile Rodgers, bassist Bernard Edwards, and drummer Tony Thompson. They later added vocalists Norma Jean Wright and Alfa Anderson and changed their name to Chic. • Chic issued their eponymous debut album in 1977. Featuring backing vocals by future R&B star Luther Vandross, the single “Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah, Yowsah, Yowsah)” topped Billboard’s Dance Club Songs and went Top 10 on the pop and R&B charts. • After Wright’s departure, Chic added Luci Martin for their 1978 sophomore effort, C'est Chic. The album topped the R&B charts, went Top 5 on pop, and spawned the monster hit “Le Freak,” which reached No. 1 on pop and R&B. • Chic’s third album, 1979 Risqué, features “Good Times,” another No. 1 pop and R&B smash. “Good Times” has been sampled and interpolated in countless hip-hop songs, including the Sugarhill Gang’s 1979 landmark “Rapper’s Delight.” • On the side, Rodgers and Edwards wrote and produced major hits like Sister Sledge’s “We Are Family” (1979) and Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out” (1980). • After Chic disbanded in 1983, both Rodgers and Edwards found success producing for other artists. Rodgers’ A-list clientele included David Bowie, Madonna, and Duran Duran. • The group reunited for the 1992 album Chic-ism. • Edwards died in 1996, followed by Thompson in 2003. Rodgers remained active well into the 21st century, notably cowriting and playing guitar on three tracks off Daft Punk’s 2013 blockbuster Random Access Memories. • As Nile Rodgers & Chic, the group issued 2018’s It’s About Time, a collaborative album featuring the likes of VIC MENSA, Stefflon Don, and Lady Gaga.