West Coast Pioneers (Nice site that archives the early days of the West Coast scene)

In the early 80´s the first Rap Artists entered the West Coast. Some moved across from the East Coast like the brothers Henry G, Evil E (later known as the NY City Spin Masters), Lil Rockin G or Afrika Islam and influenced the scene with the New York Rap Style. Others who started careers as D.J.´s began to add, instruments and raps to their performance like Dr. Dre or Egyptian Lover. Assisted by musicians like Daniel Sofer, Dave Storrs and Rich Cason the first productions made their way to vinyl which was often distributed by Macola Records. This section is dedicated to the West Coast Artists who lead the way for the whole genre. With biographies, interviews and a overview over their early productions this part of the side solves long time West Coast Riddles about the Pioneers in this game.

Just click on names to go to the artist page.

Antron

Following in the footsteps of DJ Swan from San Diego, and Grandmaster Flash (seen on tour at San Diego Sports Arena) Matic moved to LA and started out doing house party’s with Kid Frost, and rocked set’s at the Troubadour, Skate Ranch (Santa Ana), Pico Rivera Sports arena, World On Wheels and the Park Jams and swap meets. With the best mixed tapes circulating, he then Created LA’s first Mix Record 12” Scratch Matic “Sound Of The Street” which circulated in the late 80’s and was played late nights on KJLH. Next following in the footsteps of current LA turntable god Egyptian Lover. More ...

Arabian Prince

Before Arabian Prince officially started recording, he found his way in Los Angeles' electro movement and was soon added to the famous Uncle Jamms Army. Through the group, Arabian met with many ground-breaking musicians such as Ice-T, Egyptian Lover, The Spin Masters, DJ Pooh, DJ Slip, and many more. During his stay with UJA (Uncle Jamms Army), he saw the huge parties hosted throughout Southern California. Around 1983 or 1984, Arabian met with enter- tainer Russ Parr (Bobby Jimmy) and soon became part of the group Bobby Jimmy and the Critters in 1984. More ...

Bobby Jimmy

In the mid 80's Russ owned and ran his own recording label, Rapsur Records. He eventually signed with Eazy E's Ruthless Records and his alter ego Bobby Jimmy was produced by the likes of Dr Dre and DJ Pooh. Bobby Jimmy and the Critters sold millions of records. "Big Butt", "Hair or Weave", "We like ugly women" and "Roaches" were some of his biggest hits. Although Russ started out behind the camera at ABC TV as Production Services Director, stand up comedy was one of his first passions. His very first performance on stage was opening up for Joan Rivers in Santa Monica, California. More...

Chris "The Glove" Taylor

Chris "The Glove" Taylor worked for a Disco Rental Service before he reached one of the DJ pioneers on the West Coast. Because of the heavy worker Gloves he weared while working, the Disco Manager gave him the DJ Name "The Glove". The Glove and Egyptian Lover were the local DJ´s at the famous Radio Club which later renamed to the Radiotron. Together with Ice T and Super A.J. they formed the Radio Crew. The Crew put out one of the rarest EPs in Hop-Hop history for the documentary "Breaking And Entering" which was produced by Topper Carrew back in 1983 showing the early West Coast Rap and Breakdance Movement. More...

Cli-N-Tel

Along with his cousin Richard Davis (a.k.a D.J Clout/Richie Rich) and his friend Roderick Wilson (a.k.a Midnight) he formed a group called "The Three Rappa-teers". They performed at clubs, parties and in contests in the L.A. and Compton areas. While performing at a contest in the Ujima Village Child Care Center, they were approached by Disco Daddy from the famed duo Disco Daddy and Captain Rap of Rappers Rapp Disco Co.. Disco Daddy became their manager and mentor. After a stint with this group, Cli-N-Tel went on to form a rap/DJ crew called “The Invasion Force”. More...

Daniel "Perfect Tommy" Sofer

In the year 1983 Daniel Sofer first met Cletus Anderson from Saturn Records who heard one of his demos. He did some sessions for Saturn with his Oberheim gear and was the musical mastermind behind Ice T´s "Coldest Rapp", "Scratch Motion", "Rhythm Rock Rap" and Unknown DJ´s "100 Speakers". He invited Unknown to Oberheim´s studio to record some scratches for the DMX. Unknown and he ended up doing a bunch of tracks together. He also met Lonzo Williams through Cletus and worked with him on productions like "Surgery" and "Juice" for the World Class Wreckin Cru. More...

Dave Storrs

In 1984 Dave Storrs first came in contact with the upcoming Rap Scene by visiting the famous Radio Club. He was fascinated from this new form of music with DJ´s scratchin records and Mc´s doin their live performance. In the Radio he first met DJ Pepo who worked for JDC Records and has a good contact to the street scene. Pepo introduced Dave to Kid Frost, Ice T and the Spinnmaster and they ended in Dave´s garage studio recording tracks like "Rough Cut", "Terminator", "Body Rock" and "Brothers" on their new foundet record label Electrobeat. More...

Dwayne Simon "Muffla"

Dwayne Simon who is Roger Claytons cousin was one of the original members of Uncle Jamms Army. Beside the famous UJA productions he also had a few independent releases like Def and Defiance "Wild Wild West" and Double D "Autobotic Body Rock". A part of the Army later became the L.A. Posse a based hip hop production team that first rose to prominence in 1987 when Def Jam founder Russell Simmons signed them to produce LL Cool J's breakthrough album "Bigger and Deffer". The team was made up of Dwayne "Muffla" Simon, Darryl "Big Dad" Pierce, Bobby "Bob Cat" ErvIn and Mark "DJ Pooh" Jordan. More...

Dr. Dre

Dre's musical career began as a DJ at Los Angeles dance club, Eve After Dark. There he would splice up a mix of new records with soul classics like Martha And The Vandellas. The club had a back room with a small four-track studio where he, together with future-N.W.A. member Yella and Lonzo Williams, would record demos. The first of these was "Surgery" , a basic electro track with a chorus of "Calling Dr Dre to surgery'. These sessions, and nights at Eve After Dark, taught him the turntable techniques he would later bring to N.W.A., after he was a member of the World Class Wreckin Cru at the age of 17. More...

Dupont

The name Dupont who appeared on the Rainbow Television Documentary Breaking & Entering from 1983 was a long time mistery. He did three songs for this documentary called "Burn", "Break Dancers" and "Let´s rock". Filled with vocoder voices and Electro Beats they were ahead of their time. Only produced for this documentary, which shows Ice T, Chris "The Glove" Taylor and Egyptian Lover in the Radio Club, the tracks never made it to vinyl. The original recordings to the soundtrack are held by Topper Carrew´s movie company. Soon after this Dupont left Los Angeles and moved to Europe where he worked together with Milli Vanilli. More...


Egyptian Lover

Egyptian Lover started as a DJ for Roger Clayton´s Uncle Jamms Army back in the early 80´s. Egypt´s turntable routines were legendary and Roger was the best programmer to get the party jumpin. In 1983 Egypt released his first record to the "Breakin an Entering" dokumentary together with Ice T and The Glove pressed only 25 times. In 1984 he had a big part in the production to "Dial-a-Freak" the first 12inch from Uncle Jamms Army on the Freak Beat Label. In the same year he released the West Coast Anthem "Egypt, Egypt" on the Freak Beat label. After the mayor success with this record Egypt founded his own label Egyptian Empire. More...

Grandmaster Lonzo

Music producer, entertainer, and club owner "Grandmaster" Lonzo began his career in the late 70's forming Z-Car Promotions with Roger Clayton. The two set up events and parties before spliting (Roger would later create Uncle Jamm's Army). Next Lonzo created a disco, funk, and dance mobile DJ party crew called Disco Construction and the Wreckin' Cru. At the same time Lonzo ran several clubs in the South Los Angeles area such as Dudo's and Eve after Dark. The establishment of the first large urban independent record manufacturer and distributor, Macola Records, led Lonzo to create Kru Cut Records. More...

Greg Mack

KDAY was the first radio station in the world to play rap/hip hop 24/7. It was Greg Mack that started it in July 1983. To understand how he did that you have to understand where he started...KTSA/KTFM, San Antonio, Tx. is where his career began in 1975 as an intern... In 1983, he was offered a gig at KDAY-L.A., his dream market. Jack Patterson gave him a shot...He couldn't believe it...working w/Ed Kerby, JJ Johnson, Russ Parr, Lisa Canning...they had so much talent there. Imagine if your "street team" consisted of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, DJ Battlecat, Tony G, DJ M Walk, Julio G, Ice-T, Kid Frost, Egyptian Lover, Rodney O & Joe Cooley. More...

Henry G

Henry “HEN GEE’ Garcia, a consistent driving force in the Hip Hop Movement for more than two decades, coming from the hard core streets. Early on, HEN GEE realized his driving passion was Hip Hop. After arriving, HEN met with Greg Mack – Program Director for L.A. Hip-Hop station K-Day – and introduced Greg to the Latino & Hip Hop street sounds that he developed from his Central Latin African Honduran roots mixed with his East Coast vibe. Soon HEN GEE and brother Evil E joined forces with renegade rapper / actor ICE-T, becoming a very visual force at the forefront of the West Coast Movement. More...

Ice T

Ice T did his first record "Coldest Rapp" on the Saturn label back in 1982 at the age of 23. He was one of the mayor rapper in the Disco Radio along with Henry G and DJ´s like Chris "the Glove" Taylor and Egyptian Lover. In 1983 director Topper Carrew produced a doku- mentary bout the Radio Club called "Breakin and Entering". For this early piece of West Coast History Ice T, Egyptian Lover and Chris "the Glove" Taylor recorded 5 songs which were released on the legendary "Radio Crew EP". In 1984 Ice T met DJ Pepo and Dave Storrs at the Radio who run one of the first West Coast Label called Electrobeat Records. More...

Jay King

In 1984 Jay King moved from Alaska to Los Angeles. One year later he released his first record called Frost "Battle Beat" on the Triangel label, followed by the song "Woo Baby". The productions "The Freak" and "Earthshake" on the same label were only done as Test- pressings. 1986 he released several songs on his own label Jay Records like Active Boys "Hey Jo D.J." and the well known song Timex Social Club "Rumors". With the sucess of this record Jay King changed his music style from Electro Rap to more dance orientated songs. 1986 he founded "Club Nouveau", perhaps one of the most distinctive ... More...

Juan G

DJ Juan Gibson representing Los Angeles/Australia made a name for himself with mixed tapes in the early 80´s. Soon he formed a group called the Funk Army with DJ Antron and created the 12inch records "Tha Swami" (1984) and "Rappin Man" (1985) both released on William Walkers "On the Spot" label. DJ Juan G came in 2nd place at the Radiotron's Dj battle contest only beaten by his good friend Antron. Juan loaned Arabian Prince his 808 for Bobby Jimmy's Big Butt 12" and did studio work in Compton and Los Angeles before relocating to Australia for 6 years where he did live shows at his own club with W.C., Ice Cube, and Wycleff Jean. More...

Kid Frost

Kid Frost was a pioneer in the field of Latin hip-hop, cutting some of its very first records and helping to bring exposure to other bilingual MCs. He spent some time with his family on military bases in Guam and Germany, he was raised primarily in East L.A. He started rapping in 1982, and became an accomplished breakdancer as well, joining the top-notch Uncle Jamm's Army crew. He adopted the name Kid Frost in tribute to Ice-T, whom he often battled at parties and clubs as the West Coast hip-hop scene was first taking shape. During this era, he released several 12" singles, including "Rough Cut" (with Wreckin Cru´s DJ Yella) and "Terminator". More...

King M.C.

King Mc started doing freestyle raps under the name Rockin Ralph to Sugar Hill Gang´s "Rappers Delight" in 1979. In 1981 Duffy Hooks the owner of Rappers Rapp Disco Co. held auditions in Hollywood for a 6 member act modeled after New York's Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five. After an open casting call in Los Angeles, Duffy had narrowed it down to the six finalest's. The Rappers Rap Group consisted of King MC, Macker Moe, MC Fosty, Lovin C and DJ Flash.Their first release was "Rappers Rapp Theme" in 1982. One year later the group name changed to Dark Star and they signed to AVI Records and produced the 12inch Dark Star "Sexy Baby". More...

Lemon Lime

Lemon Lime born 1963 began his musical carreer at the age of 10 by writing lyrics and performing in various talent shows and clubs. By the age of 16 he had his own dance production. 1983 he produced his first record Lemon Lime "Hollyweird Game" released on the Jam Power label. In the same year he, D-Rock, Mr. J, Cassonova Malone and J- Bone formed the West Coast Crew. The first record by the West Coast Crew with "Jealous People", "We really like to rock" and "Wild" was only done as a demonstration copy puplished on the Jam Power label in 1984. Soon after that the West Coast Crew signed to K.M.A. Records. More...

Lil Rockin G

Gerald Burton known as Lil Rockin G was influenced by Grandmaster Flash and the Breakout Crew who lived in his neighborhood in New York. In the early 80´s Gerald moved to Los Angeles and made his name as a DJ in Benning highschool. The same highschool Boogaloo Shrimp visited. There he met C-Brez, Curtis and Madmixer RMG. Toghether they founded the Knights of the Turntables named after Cameo´s "Knights of the Soundtable" album. Curtis worked for JDC Records which was the biggest record distributor at that time. Jim Callon the owner of JDC asked him if he knew anybody who can help him doing a Hip Hop record. More...

Lyrrad

Darryl Davis started as a graffitti artist back in the 70´s. At that time he did several flyers and promotion material for clubs and discos. He first came in contact with the rap scene by doin the Coverwork for the first World Class Wreckin Cru record "Slice". After this he worked on drawings for West Coast Classics like World Class Wreckin Cru´s "Sugery", "Juice", "Bust it up", Unknown DJ´s "808 Beats", "Let´s Jam", "Breakdown" and many many more. Also he was the Mastermind behind the Kru-Cut, Techno Hop and Ruthless Logo. Beside his famous layout work he played the bassline parts in "808 Beats" and "Let´s Jam". More...

Mikel Hooks

Mikel Hooks negotiated his first record deal with Atlantic Records for his artist, Ironing Board Sam, title song "Non Support That What the Judge Say". In May 1974, Mike put together a dance group, The Ghetto Dancers. In June 1982, Mikel started the record company, Street People Records, which produced the hit song titled, West Coast Poplock, which became the west coast´s "anthem". Just about anywhere you´d go you would hear the sing-along chorus of "California knows how to party." Two years later he produces the song "Going Down" with Rich Cason. More...

Rich Cason

Rich Cason started his own record label Write On together with Jimmy Lewis in 1983. The label released a huge hit when Rich wrote and produced "Killer Groove" and “Street Freaks” for Leon Kittrell & Formula V. The product was barely pressed when MCA and Malaco Records commissioned these dance grooves. Many of Rich’s club hits were produced as Rich Cason and the Galactic Orchestra, and released on Rappers Rapp Records. The large amount of songs included "Space Connection 2012", "Radio Activity", "When Doves Cry Rap", "Magic Mike Theme" and a track still playing on the airwaves, “Bad Times” by Captain Rapp. More...

Rodney O

Rodney O first appeard in 1983 as a member of the Caution Crew. They did two songs on the small Galleon Label called "Westside Storie" and "Rhythm Rock". In 1986 he worked with Egyptian Lover for the title "These are my beats" on Egypt´s label Egyptian Empire. Together with his partner Joe Cooley he released several titles on Egyptian Empire like "Everlasting Bass" and "This is for the Homies". In the early to mid-'80s, L.A. wasn't famous for hardcore rap; many people associated Southern California with the high-tech, synthesizer-driven electro-hop sounds of the Egyptian Lover, the Arabian Prince. More ...


Roger Clayton

Roger Clayton began spinning records and throwing house parties at 13. He worked as a deejay at several clubs and held a succession of jobs at records stores and in sales for a wholesale record company. Together with his school buddy Gid Martin he founded the DJ group Unique Dreams Entainment back in 1978. In 1983 they changed the name to Uncle Jamms Armyinspired by George Clinton´s album "Uncle Jam wants you". At that time Rap hits the West Coast and the Uncle Jamms Parties went bigger and bigger. In 1984 the Army filled stadiums like the L.A. Sports Arena. More...

Silky D "Female Power"

Delphine "Silky D" Williams is a diamond in the smooth. An L.A. original and iconic presence as the innovative and pioneering female DJ that broke barriers and laid serious groundwork in the streets, clubs and airwaves of Los Angeles for all young girls to follow. Silky "D" was the only female DJ to be down with the legendary West Coast party crew, Uncle Jamms Army, and provided the unforgettable background noises for 80's classics, "Dial a Freak" and "808 Beats". DJ Silky "D" went on to become one of the first female sound and stage managers in the game, providing sound for such renowned talents as Teena Marie, The Gap Band, Zapp, Cameo, Ice Cube, Monica and Da Brat, to name a few. More ...

Tony DJ "T" Joseph

From DJ to Producer, from A&R to executive, Joseph has played a crucial role in the development and expansion of the Global Urban Music Scene. Originally from East Elmhurst, New York (aka "The Hurst") the talented and ambitious young man once known as DJ "T" helped establish the Mix Show concept as a bi-coastal radio personality and Master Mixer. From 1981-1986 Tony Joseph and Michael Moore had the highest rated radio shows in Los Angeles on KJLH and KACE. The shows were called "The Saturday Night Jam" ,"The Traffic Jam", and "L.A. Sunday". DJ "T" went on to become visionary record executive Tony Joseph, helping to launch such musical talents as Vanessa Williams and Tony! Toni! Tone! More ...

Unknown DJ

The Unknown DJ, born Andre Manuel, is one of the pioneers of West Coast Hip Hop. He started as a DJ back in the early 80´s spinning records in Clubs like Lonzo´s "Eve after Dark". 1983 he first appeared on Captain Rapp`s "Bad Times" produced by Cletus Anderson who was the owner of Saturn Recods. On the same label he did his first rappin with Dr. Dre and Daniel Sofer for the title "Rhythm Rock Rap" in 1984. Daniel Sofer was the musical mastermind behind this production and shortly after this Unknown hired him to work on the first track recorded on his own Techno Hop label called "Beatronic". More...