Uncle Jamm's Army

Uncle Jamm's Army
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop, electro-hop
Years active	1977–1988
Labels	Freak Beat, Dunk Yer Funk
Members	Egyptian Lover, Ice-T, D.J. Pooh

Uncle Jamm's Army is a former American hip-hop crew based in Los Angeles, California in the 1980s. Their singles "What's Your Sign", "Dial-a-Freak", and "Yes, Yes, Yes" were influential to the electro, old school hip hop, and early West Coast hip-hop genres.

Originally known as The Night Time Players, the group was originally formed in 1974 by Rodger Clayton, Charles "Alvon" Woods, Alphonse Finn, Renord Collins, Pernell Prothro, Tony Willis and Barry Harris giving house parties at 911 Stonebryn Drive in Harbor City. In 1978 the group trimmed down to Rodger Clayton, Charles Woods, Renord Collins and added Rodney Gardner to form Unique Dreams Entertainment. Rodger dubbed himself The Ace of Dreams (DJ). Later in 1978, Arthur "Gid" Martin, who was friends with Rodger at Narbonne High School and first met at Henry Clay Jr High School, and his brother Tony Martin were attempting to give a party and asked Rodger to DJ for them. Rodger suggested they join forces and start promoting dances together, with Rodger spinning under the name Ace of Dreams and later Mr. Prinze. But they needed a name, a name that would catch everyone's attention. Later that year Funkadelic released an album entitled Uncle Jam Wants You. The name Uncle Jamm's Army hit home and was adopted. The group became the number-one dance promoters and DJs on the West Coast of the United States. Clayton was no stranger to the turntables as he organized his first house party back in 1973, playing such classics as "Right Place, Wrong Time" by Dr. John, "Funky Worm" by the Ohio Players, "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye, "Get on the Good Foot" by James Brown, and his favourite band the legendary Earth, Wind & Fire. Before forming Unique Dreams and Uncle Jamm's Army, Rodger spun records for a mobile DJ organization called LSD formed by Larry Grisby. Assemblyman of Gardena Steven Bradford & Former City Councilman of Carson Darryl Sweeney (Gardena High Alum's). After LSD stopped payment on his $25 check, Rodger told them that one day he would form his own organization and put them out of business. Uncle Jam's Army, along with Alonzo (Wrecking Crew) Williams (Gardena High Alum), were among the earliest hip-hop DJs on the West Coast and helped to bring the electro scene there. The group was influenced by Prince, Kraftwerk, East Coast electro. In the beginning, the Army first played funky disco but when Sugarhill Records started putting out great rap and funk hits, rap had finally reached the West Coast. Their major competitors during Uncle Jamm's run to supremacy was L.S.D., Z-Cars (Curtis Garrett- Locke High), JC2 Production (John Carter-Locke High School) and Bay Phi Si/Westchester Bay Lockers (Curtis Jackson- Westchester High). In December 1978, Alpine Village was the site of the groups Breakout Dance. Packing the house, standing room only! They never looked back, they were on the road to the top.

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