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 Thump Records Inc. |
| Associated acts | |
| Website | www.rappersrapprecords.com |
Lee Johnson (born August 21, 1957), better known as DJ Flash /djˈflɑːsh/, is an American DJ, hip hop producer, record producer, archivist, and rapper. He is 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 including 2 Live Crew, Celly Cel, Zapp & Roger Troutman, B-Legit, and DJ Battlecat. He has worked with 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 Executive A&R / N. California Distributor for Thump Records 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 moved to Sacramento, California, where he attended Luther Burbank High School and Taft High School. He was a cotton picker, paper boy, dishwasher, busboy, fruit picker, roustabout, derrick hand, truck driver, security guard, auto body repair man, salesman, college student, garbage man, aspiring attorney, DJ, radio personality, rapper, and finally a record producer.
Career
He began his music career as a mobile DJ in the late 70s and early 80s, 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, eventually going on to become one of the founding members of the West Coast's first original rap group, the Rappers Rapp Group.
In 1981 DJ Flash was called the first white rapper ever signed to a rap record label, Rappers Rapp Disco Co. in Los Angeles.
With the Rappers Rapp Group
In 1981 Duffy Hooks III, the founder of Rappers Rapp Disco Co.,[2] announced over Los Angeles radio airwaves that auditions were being held for a six-member rap act. After an open mic battle at Magic Disc Records, Duffy narrowed it down to six finalists. 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" b/w "Rappin' Partee Groove" in 1982.
One year later the group changed their name to Dark Star, 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, called Black Diamond. The band consisted of Roy "Omar" Mateen (drummer), Radji Mateen (saxophonist), Tarus Mateen (bassist), Charles Dickerson (guitarist), Anthony Randolph (trumpeter), Richard Lee Smith (percussionist),and George Graham (keyboardist).[3] 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", both produced by Rich Cason.
DJ Flash and King MC became the Future MCs 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 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.[4]
King MC resurfaced in 1986 with the answer to Janet Jackson's "What Have You Done for Me Lately", with "What Have I Done For You Lately Rap." He 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.,[5] also known as Rappers Rapp Records,[6] was based in Hollywood, California, founded in 1981 by New York transplant Duffy Hooks III. The label's first releases were "The Gigolo Groove" and "The Gigolo Rapp" by Disco Daddy and Captain Rapp.
Duffy discovered the Rappers Rapp Group, which consisted of five of LA's top rappers and DJ Flash from Taft California. Later The Real Richie Rich joined the group for a short time. Their first release was "Rappers Rapp Theme" in 1982.
One year later, Rich Cason published 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. 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 Brothers Supreme, released the West Coast classic "We Can´t be Held Back"'on the Rappers Rapp label.
1992: West Coast Rap - The First Dynasty
West Coast Rap-The First Dynasty is a four-volume chronicle of the birth and rise of West Coast rap. It was produced and compiled by West Coast Rap pioneer, archivist DJ Flash of the Rappers Rapp group. The compilation was released in 1992 on Rhino Records. It 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 album, Westcoastin', shot to #2 on Amazon's hot new releases and #3 on Amazon's best-seller charts overnight.[7] The album features Snoop Dogg, Too Short, E-40, Zapp Troutman, Rappin' 4-Tay, Celly Cel, Wyclef Jean, Suga Free, and DJ Battlecat. It was produced by West Coast rap pioneers Lee “DJ Flash” Johnson and Larry “Captain Rapp” Glenn, with additional production by The Real Richie Rich and DJ Battlecat.[8]
Ronnie Hudson first blazed the West Coast hip hop trail with his classic 1982 hit, "West Coast Poplock." "This was later recorded By Dr. Dre and 2Pac as "California Love". Both quickly became undisputed West Coast anthems.
Ronnie’s work has been featured in films, including The Social Network, Iron Man II, and South Central, as well as countless TV shows and video games, including Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.[9] While at Stax Records, Ronnie recorded and toured with Isaac Hayes on his Grammy-winning soundtrack 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, a compilation of Ice-T's early hits.
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. Debuting at #6 on the Billboard Rap Charts, and at #24 on the Billboard Top 100, Concrete Roots remained on the Top 100 for eight consecutive weeks.
Other DJ Flash productions include Ice-T's Cold As Ever (Hitman/Blue Dolphin); The Original 2 Live Crew, which featured early recordings by the 2 Live Crew; and the 2014 debut album by Ronnie Hudson, Westcoastin', featuring 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 Rapp Group history angelfire.com 25-05-2014 Retrieved 25-05-2014
- ↑ Rappers Rapp Group Westcoastpioneers.com 25-05-2014 Retrieved 25-05-2014
- ↑ Central California Hip Hop sites.google.com 04-05-2015 Retrieved 04-05-2015
- ↑ 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
- MTV, DJ Flash, MTV-Viacom, New York, NY
- West Coast Pioneers, Dark Star, Rappers Rapp Group, Los Angeles
- West Coast Rap, History, Duffy Hooks Rappers Rapp Records 1981, Los Angeles
- Duffy, Hooks III, Rappers Rapp Records official videos, Los Angeles
- Discogs, DJ Flash, Collectable Vinyl, Los Angeles
- Central California Hip Hop, West Coast Pioneers, The Black Diamond Band and DJ Flash in the 1980s, Bakersfield, California
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 Facebook
- DJ Flash's channel on YouTube
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