DJ Flash
| DJ Flash | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Lee Johnson |
| Also known as | DJ Flash, Future Flash |
| Born |
August 21, 1957 Fresno, California, US |
| Origin | Poplar Bluff, Missouri, US Sacramento, California, US |
| Genres | Hip hop, Funk, Electro |
| Occupation(s) | Rapper, producer, DJ, Radio host |
| Instruments | Vocals, Drums, keyboards, drum machine, sampler |
| Years active | 1979–Present |
| Labels |
Rappers Rapp Records iWest Entertainment |
| Associated acts |
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| Website | www.rappersrapprecords.com |
Lee Johnson (born August 21, 1957), better known as DJ Flash /djˈflɑːsh/, is an American Hip Hop, DJ, record producer, archivist and rapper mostly known for his works featuring Dr. Dre, Ice T, Snoop Dogg, Too Short, E-40, Rappin' 4-Tay, Ronnie Hudson and the West Coast's premier rap group Rappers Rapp Group.[1] DJ Flash originated in Los Angeles, California and has worked on a substantial roster of projects featuring recording artists such as 2 Live Crew, Celly Cel, Zapp & Roger Troutman, B-Legit, DJ Battlecat and many others. And for record labels Capitol Records, Warner Bros. Records, Sony Music, Rappers Rapp Records, Macola Records, Rhino Records, AVI Records, and Excello Records. Currently, he is the chief executive officer (CEO) of Rappers Rapp Records and iWest Entertainment Inc.
Early life
Lee Johnson was born on August 21, 1957, in Fresno, California, his early childhood was spent in Poplar Bluff, Missouri and he later originated in Sacramento, California, where he attended Luther Burbank High School (California) and Taft High School. He was a cotton picker, paper boy, a dishwasher, a busboy, fruit picker, roustabout, derrick hand, truck driver, security guard, auto body repair man, salesman, college student, garbage man, an aspiring attorney, a DJ, a radio personality, a rapper and finally a record producer.
Career
In 1981 DJ Flash was called the first white rapper ever signed to a rap record label "Rappers Rapp Disco Co." in Los Angeles, California. DJ Flash began his music career as a mobile DJ in the late 70's early 80's, in and around Bakersfield, California while attending Taft College in Taft, California. Also at that time he was musical director and afternoon DJ at radio station KTKR 1310 AM in Taft, California while moonlighting at radio station KGFA in Bakersfield, California, eventually going on to become one of the founding members of the West Coasts first original rap group The Rappers Rapp Group.
With the Rappers Rapp Group
In 1981 Duffy Hooks III the owner of Rappers Rapp Disco Co.[2] announced over Los Angeles radio airwaves that auditions were being held for a 6 member rap act. After an open mic battle at Magic Disc Records, Duffy narrowed it down to the six finalest's. The Rappers Rapp Group consisted of MC Fosty, Lovin C, DJ Flash, King MC, Macker-Moe and Mr. Ice.Their first release was "Rappers Rapp Theme" bw "Rappin' Partee Groove" in 1982. One year later the group changed their name to Dark Star and they signed to AVI Records a division of MCA Records and recorded the West Coast's first rap EP "Sexy Baby". The music for the album was done by a group of musicians from Bakersfield, California called Black Diamond. The Dark Star EP was released outside the United States, overseas only. The group disbanded shortly afterwards with MC Fosty and Lovin C recording the infectious 1983 street jam "Radio Activity Rapp", followed by 1984's "When Doves Cry Rapp", which were produced by Rich Cason. DJ Flash and King MC became the Future MC's and had three hits, "State of Shock Rapp", "Erotic City Rapp", and "We are the Future". In 1984 DJ Flash and MC Fosty re-teamed for The Beverly Hills Cop Rap" utilizing the Axel F theme from Beverly Hills Cop . Later that same year DJ Flash reunited the group for their final Dark Star 12" release "Planet Earth" which has since become one of the rarest and most sought after rap records of all time. [3] King MC resurfaced in 1986 with the answer record to Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done for Me Lately", with "What Have I Done For You Lately Rap" and followed that release with "Nasty Boy in 1987". King MC and DJ Flash were two members of Los Angeles's first rap label (Rappers Rapp Disco Record Co.)
Rappers Rapp Disco Record Co.
The Rappers Rapp Disco Record Co.,[4] also known as Rappers Rapp Records,.[5] was based in Hollywood, California and founded in 1981 by New York Transplant Duffy Hooks III. After the labels first releases "The Gigolo Groove" and "The Gigolo Rapp" by Disco Daddy & Captain Rapp. Duffy discovered The Rappers Rap Group which consisted of five of L.A's top rappers and DJ Flash from Taft California, later The Real Richie Rich joined the group for a short time. There first release was "Rappers Rapp Theme" in 1982. One year later Rich Cason puplished "Year 2001 Boogie" on Rappers Rapp. With this record the style changed from the typical old school rap to an electronic wave sound with vocoders and rap. Rich Cason had a major influence on the following releases "Magic Mike Theme", "Killer Groove", and "Radio Activity Rapp" which was adapted by Royalcash´s "Radioactivity". In 1986 the rapper K-Rock G and Cool "Cito" Bee known as the Brother Surpreme released the West Coast Classic "We can´t be held back" on the Rappers Rapp Label.
1992: West Coast Rap - The First Dynasty
The "West Coast Rap-The First Dynasty" is a four volume chronicle of the birth and rise of West Coast Rap. Produced and compiled by West Coast Rap pioneer, archivist DJ Flash of The Rappers Rap Group. The compilation was released in 1992 on Rhino Records. The 4 volume set was met with critical acclaim and the extensive liner notes were the first accurate documentation of the true roots of West Coast Rap.
2014: Ronnie Hudson presents "Westcoastin' - EP"
Ronnie Hudson's new debut album “Westcoastin'” shot to #2 on Amazon's hot new releases & #3 Amazons best seller Charts overnight.[6] The "Westcoastin’" album features Snoop Dogg, Too Short, E-40, Zapp Troutman, Rappin' 4-Tay, Celly Cel, Wyclef Jean, Suga Free, DJ Battlecat & was produced by West Coast rap pioneers Lee “DJ Flash” Johnson & Larry “Captain Rapp” Glenn with additional production by The Real Richie Rich, and DJ Battlecat.[7] Ronnie Hudson first blazed the West Coast hip hop trail with His classic 1982 hit “West Coast Poplock”. It was later recorded By Dr. Dre & 2Pac as “California Love”. Both quickly became undisputed West Coast anthems. Ronnie’s work is featured in films Including: “Social Network”, "The Facebook Movie", "Iron Man II", "South Central", and countless TV Shows & video games like "Grand Theft Auto San Andreas".[8] While at Stax Records Ronnie recorded and toured with Isaac Hayes on his Grammy winning sound track for the movie Shaft.
DJ Flash productions
In 1992, DJ Flash produced the four-volume set West Coast Rap-The First Dynasty for Rhino Records, followed by The Classic Collection (Ice-T). After the success of these five albums, DJ Flash launched his own label, Hitman Music, in 1994, a joint venture with Triple XXX/Sony Music. Hitman's first release, Concrete Roots by Dr. Dre, sold over 250,000 copies during its first week of release. Debuting at #6 on Billboard Rap Charts, and at #24 on Billboard Top 100, Concrete Roots remained on Billboards Top 100 for eight consecutive weeks. Other DJ Flash productions include Ice-T Cold As Ever (Hitman/Blue Dolphin), and The Original 2 Live Crew, which featured early recordings by the 2 Live Crew and the 2014 debut album by Ronnie Hudson entitled Westcoastin' and features multi platinum recording artist's Snoop Dogg, Too Short, E-40, Rappin' 4-Tay, Wyclef Jean, Celly Cel, Zapp Troutman, B-Legit, Suga Free, DJ Battlecat, Funkmaster Ozone and The Real Richie Rich
Discography
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See also
References
- ↑ Rappers Rap Group history angelfire.com 25-05-2014 Retrieved. 25-05-2014
- ↑ Rappers Rap Group Westcoastpioneers.com 25-05-2014 Retrieved. 25-05-2014
- ↑ Popsike Rare Records Auction Results popsike.com Retrieved. 03-17-2015
- ↑ The Rappers Rapp Disco Record Co. westcoastpioneers.com 25-05-2014 Retrieved. 25-05-2014
- ↑ Official Website rappersrapprecords.com 04-11-2015 Retrieved. 04-11-2015
- ↑ Ronnie Hudson songs, albums, pictures amazon.com Retrieved. 26-05-2014
- ↑ West Coastin' EP by Ronnie Hudson itunes.com Retrieved. 26-05-2014
- ↑ GTA San Andreas soundtrack list allmusic.com 26-05-2014 Retrieved. 26-05-2014
- Official Website, Rappers Rapp Records, Los Angeles, Ca., United States
- MTV, DJ Flash, MTV-Viacom, New York, NY, United States
- West Coast Pioneers, Dark Star, Rappers Rapp Group, Los Angeles, California, United States
- West Coast Rap, History, Duffy Hooks *Rappers Rapp Records 1981, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Duffy, Hooks III, Rappers Rapp Records Official videos, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Discogs, DJ Flash, Collectable Vinyl, Los Angeles, California, United States
- Central California Hip Hop, West Coast Pioneers, The "Black Diamond Band" & DJ Flash in the 1980s', Bakersfield, California, United States
External links
- Audio interview with King MC and complete biography
- Interview with DJ Flash and King MC on YouTube
- Interview with Captain Rapp on YouTube
- Rappers Rapp Group On West Coast Pioneers
- DJ Flash on Myspace
- DJ Flash on Facebook
- DJ Flash's channel on YouTube
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