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Zebra Records- Memory

Watching an old DJ Battle today got me reminiscing. I’ve always been a visual artist and a lover of music (Art is in my blood). But starting in the early 90s and lasting til the last 2000’s I was obsessed with DJing. The height of my fascination peaked in my high school/ early college years. I spent literal hours in record stores, flea markets, my family’s collections, and any records I could find. I spent even more time in my room watching vhs videos, battles, and listening to recordings of DJs trying to teach myself how to mix, scratch, beat juggle, and perform routines. I taught what little I knew to hundreds of kids too.

Here’s a photo my friend Melissa took of me performing in one of the Zebra Records DJ battles. I attempted to DJ parties, events, make mixtapes, and entered DJ competition (Zebra, ITF, UC Berkeley) but I was never really that great at it. But, I had so much fun. I participated in a hip hop club started by Hodari Davis at Berkeley High and I learned so much from watching people who were truly passionate about the art of DJing, Mixing, party rocking, music, and competing as turntablists. There were many lessons I took away such as originality, stage presence, timing, innovation, cultivating community, looking for the next thing to inspire you, etc. But above all I learned about generosity, love and discipline. Doesn’t matter how good you think you are, you can always improve. And what point is there in hiding your talent? Share it so the next generation can be inspired, so they can inspire you, and so on.

Shout out to Zebra Records-a pillar of the San Francisco/ Bay Area hip hop community that not only sold records and DJ equipment but created a church/community center where young people like myself could share, grow, and learn. Shout out to DJ Wisdom, Israel, Alan Corazon, and all the incredible DJs I met at Zebra such as Mista B and Teeko of 41Funk, Goldenchyld and Cutso of The FingerBangers, Nuttz, so many many. I went by “King Tres” back then btw. I still dig for new music, and I occasionally buy vinyl. Wish I still had my Zebra Records slip mats.

Here’s a video of a reunion they did in 2010 w/the creators of Skratchpad (Celskiii & Deeandroid)

August 13, 2020
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Black Is Beautiful 2020 – Uncle Jamm’s Army

The first time I heard the name “Uncle Jamm’s Army” was in 2005. I was reading “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop” by Jeff Chang. They mentioned in the book and in the accompanying Dj D-Sharp mixtape. The Army is one of the most influential DJ crews in Los Angeles, California, and the US. Originally called Unique Dreams Entertainment, the crew was founded by DJ/promoter Roger Clayton. The crew would only consist of a handful of members at that time including Dr Funkenstein, Bobcat, Gid & Tony Martin, Les Sounds, and Egyptian Lover. But it would go on to have at least 15 members. Some of them did security, promotions, sound, or business. But most were professional party rockers. They DJed house parties, high school dances, prom’s, and would later throwing their own parties. They competed with other crews around at that time such as “World Class Wrecking Crew” (Lonzo, Yella, Dr. Dre) and LA Dream Team (Snake Puppy, Rudy Pardee).

The records and style of playing music later became the blueprint for one of LA’s first stations to play hip hop, KDAY. Founded in 1977 and existing until 1988 formally, the crew grew so popular that they packed arena’s meant for super stars with thousands of young people. The Army’s sound mixed Electro, New Wave, Funk, Techno, Rock, and an exploding new genre called Hip Hop. In fact, ask any DJs from LA or Cali and they will tell you what an impact they had on DJs generations after them. They’d hook up a dozen amplifiers, over 30 huge Cerwin Vega speakers and subwoofers, and eventually cats like Egyptian Lover started incorporating live drum machine beats and 808’s. They even put out their own records. And in the midst of rapidly growing gang war between the Crips, Bloods, and many other sets their dances provided a space for young people of all types to dance, socialize, be creative, and have fun.

Recently the crew was officially honored by the City of Los Angeles with October 28th becoming “Uncle Jamm’s Army” day. I want to give a shout out to its members, fans, supporters, and the DJs who were influenced by them including The Mixmasters and The Beat Junkies. I hope that Black History Month recognitions in the future will include them, the scene they created, and the sound they made flourish. Rest In Peace to its founder Roger Clayton.

In this image I wanted to portray just a few of guys as a representation of group which was much larger than 5 men. I also wanted to picture an analog record since that was the foundation of their sound. And lastly, I illustrated people dancing and having fun.

Sources: LA Weekly, Red Bull Music Academy Documentary, Cant Stop Won’t Stop

Wanna see more? Check out  this illustration about Camp Atwater HERE.

February 29, 2020
in Black is Beautiful, General, Series
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Video – Uncle Jam’s Army


I’ve always been a big fan of LA DJ’s, their brand of hip hop, and of course so much of that comes from the DJ groups and sound systems like “Uncle Jam’s Army”. Respect to Red Bull for doing this short documentary on them.

This episode of the Beat Junkies podcast ep with Cut Chemist talks a lot about LA DJ history which the army was a huge part of.

December 27, 2019
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1200 – Music Inspired

The first time I bought a Technics 1200 turntable it was with money I’d earned working and from birthdays, etc. I had saved up enough and got help from my parents to get a used one from my local pawn shop and I was so excited I just started at it. It would take me a good while to save up for the second one and a mixer but eventually I got them. And I gave up drawing and painting for awhile in lieu of teaching myself mixing, scratching, beat juggling, and how to find records and sounds. I had to sell my turntables as a young dad in my late 20s but I’ve never forgotten the feel of these. They were sturdy, heavy, and solid machines that could take hours and hours of practice and keep on going. Did you ever own a Technics 1200 table? Still have some? This is another music inspired joint!

Want a print of this? Go HERE

Here is some more music inspired art you might have missed:
Trumpet Illustration
Sha Rock Portrait
Play That Beat Typography

July 13, 2019
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Black is Beautiful (2018) 12 – Pam the Funkstress

The Bay Area lost a legend this past December. I’m fortunate to have met Pam in person while she catered a youth focused event. There I told her how much I respected and appreciate her to which she was super nice. I also got to see her perform with The Coup many times. She was a incredible DJ, always clean with the cuts, timing, and as I understand it, a great musical selector.

Pam started as a battle DJ entering competitions on KMEL and the DMC (Disco Mix Competition). She later became the DJ for the Coup which she remained for nearly two decades. In later years she did not tour with the band but she was always there for special shows. Pam added tracks to Coup LP’s and vicious scratches for each album; always appearing on the covers with Boots and E-roc at first, then just Boots and Pam. I am huge fan of The Coup, and always loved their blend of funk, mob music, political satire, and wit. Pam also DJ’d in the club scene becoming a part of Bay Area Sound System or BASS with several ladies. She did weekly and monthly parties on top of making food and running a catering company (soul food). She later also DJ’d for the one and only Prince, who would later dub her Purple Pam. Read up on her, listen to the music, and count her among the world’s hip hop greats. My condolences to her Family, Boots, The whole Coup fam, and her fans. I am still in disbelief. She definitely got respect from hip hop lovers, turntablists, party DJ’s and the greater Hip hop community at large.


Sources: Life, Coup LPs, San Jose Mercury News

Dig this? See this portrait of Shock G (rip)

February 25, 2018
in Black is Beautiful, General, Series
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