[3][4] In 1984, the hip-hop trio U.T.F.O., produced by the R&B group Full Force, released a single titled "Hanging Out", which did not perform well.

[5] Soon afterwards, 14-year-old Lolita Shanté Gooden was walking outside of a New York City housing project called Queensbridge, when she heard Tyrone Williams, disc jockey Mr. Magic, and record producer Marley Marl talking about how U.T.F.O.

[6][7] Gooden offered to make a hip-hop record that would get back at U.T.F.O., with her taking on the moniker Roxanne Shanté, after her middle name.

It was confrontational and laced with profanities, but was an instant hit that sold over 250,000 copies in the New York area alone.

[9] The original issue of the "Street Version" was recorded on tape in Marley Marl's apartment, entirely free-styled by Gooden in seven minutes and in only one take.

and Full Force released "The Real Roxanne", their own answer record.

[citation needed] The airwaves became so occupied with the "Roxanne" records, that other MCs decided to get into the act.

of copying her style on "The Real Roxanne", whilst affirming her status as the true embodiment of the persona.