West coast Hip Hop legend Rodger Clayton, co-founder of Uncle Jamm’s Army, passed away on October 10.
According to dubcnn.com, Clayton (aka Mr. Prinze), died of a heart attack.
Uncle Jamm’s Army was an influential collective of Los Angeles promoters, deejays, producers and emcees which hosted parties at such venues as the Los Angeles Sports Arena.
Uncle Jamm’s Army specialized in electro-hop, which was highly influenced by Hip Hop pioneer Afrika Bambaataa. In 1978, Calyton and Gid Martin formed Unique Dream entertainment. The group transformed into Uncle Jamm’s Army, which was active from 1984 to 1988, featuring such members as Ice-T, Chris “The Glove” Taylor, DJ Pooh, DJ Battlecat, and many more.
The collective brought New York rap acts like Kurtis Blow, Run-DMC and Whodini to their parties, which were attended by the thousands. Via their own Freak Beat record label, Uncle Jamm’s Army released their 1984 single, “Dial-A-Freak.” The song’s production was handled mainly by Clayton, with Egyptian Lover handling the emceeing duties.
General Jeff, who was once a member of the collective, credited Clayton with being “responsible for various radio station mix shows which featured rap music on KGFJ, KACE, KJLH and of course paved the way for now legendary KDAY,” adding that Clayton was also the first to make the transition from record promoter to recording artist and producer, and “never got the true recognition he deserved.”
HipHopDX offers our condolences to the friends and family of Rodger Clayton.
WE WILL MIS U BIG HOMIE. WEST COAST 4 LIFE!
Wow … 1984 to 1988 I remeber I was 10 – 14 years old staying up all night. My boom box as my headboard, just staring at it … listening to Uncle Jamm’s Army mixshows …
I feel you, I was 13-16…RIP Mr. Clayton!!!
lol nigga said curtis blow
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I MISS U VERY MUCH COUSIN RODGER…. LUV U… TELL MY MOM I MISS HER TOO
You will for sure be missed rodger,,,your dad Jordan will always be proud of you,as well as your friends…R.I.P. My Friend.
Uncle Jamm’s Army came to San Bernardino probably 20 times, my young a$# was at 18 parties. Mr Prinze used to kill it. He even made the slow jams funky. Damn.
WOW! THIS IS SAD FOR ME I WILL MISS YOU RODGER BACK IN THE DAY HOUSE PARTYS WAS .25 THEN IT GOT BIG 1.00 TO 5.OO I WOULD DANCE MY BUTT OFF ALL NIGTH THIS GOT SO BIG WE WERE AT PLACES EVERY WEEKEND.UNCLE JAMMS ARMY WAS THE REAL!! THEY DON’T HAVE FUN LIKE THAT NOW. MY PRAYS ARE WITH THE FAMILY GOD BLESS LOVE DIANA