Uncle Jamm's Army

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Uncle Jamm's Army
Also known asUJA
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres Funk, hip hop, electro
Years active1978–1988
LabelsFreak Beat; Dunk Yer Funk
MembersNone
Past members

Uncle Jamm's Army was an American party and performance collective based in Los Angeles, California. [1] [2] The group promoted events publicly under the name Uncle Jam's Army (without the second "m"), while its recording name on electro-funk singles used the spelling Uncle Jamm's Army. [1] [2] [3] [4]

Contents

History

Rodger Clayton began throwing amplified backyard and rented-hall parties in the 1970s in Harbor City, Carson, and nearby areas. Clayton and his crew built custom sound systems that drew large teen crowds. [3] Gid, Tony, and Greg Martin promoted teen dances at Alpine Village in Torrance under Martin Brothers Productions before merging with Clayton in 1978 as Unique Dreams Entertainment. They later rebranded as Uncle Jam's Army for their live promotions. [1] [3] [4]

The name derived from Parliament-Funkadelic's 1979 album Uncle Jam Wants You . Clayton stated the group wanted to project itself as a "party army". [2] [3]

Early members included Clayton, Gid Martin, Dr. Funkenstein, and Bleebs. Egyptian Lover began as a dancer and later became one of the group's main DJs. [1] DJ Bobcat and other future producers joined through the early 1980s.

Arabian Prince (Kim Renard Nazel) joined in the early 1980s, contributing electro-based DJ sets before co-founding N.W.A.. [5] [6]

By the mid-1980s, Uncle Jam's Army was hosting large events at venues including the Hollywood Palladium, Pasadena Convention Center, and the Los Angeles Sports Arena. [1] [2] [4]

A ticket for a 1984 Run-D.M.C. concert co-headlined by Uncle Jam's Army in Oakland, California Nu Wave Productions - Uncle Jam's Army and Run D.M.C. August 10, 1984 Concert (ticket).jpg
A ticket for a 1984 Run-D.M.C. concert co-headlined by Uncle Jam's Army in Oakland, California

Their recordings, credited as Uncle Jamm's Army, were released on Freak Beat Records, including the 1983 electro single "Dial-A-Freak," followed by "Naughty Boy" and "The Roach Is on the Wall". [7] [8]

Members such as Ice-T, DJ Pooh, DJ Bobcat, Egyptian Lover, and Arabian Prince later established solo careers. KDAY radio DJ Greg Mack played a role in introducing their electro-funk sound to broader Los Angeles audiences. [2]

By the late 1980s, N.W.A. and Ruthless Records had redefined West Coast hip hop, and Uncle Jam's Army ceased operations. [9] [4]

Poster for a 1988 Skateland concert featuring Uncle Jam's Army and N.W.A. Uncle Jam's Army - Eazy-E and N.W.A. 1988 Skateland Concert Poster.jpg
Poster for a 1988 Skateland concert featuring Uncle Jam's Army and N.W.A.

Impact and legacy

Writers identify Uncle Jam's Army as a bridge between Los Angeles funk party culture and professionalized West Coast hip hop. [1] [9] Their use of drum machines and electronic instrumentation influenced later G-funk producers such as Dr. Dre. [2] [1] The single "Dial-A-Freak" is recognized as a formative Los Angeles electro release. [7]

Poster for the Uncle Jam's Army Reunion event at the Red Bull Music Academy, Los Angeles, October 2017 Red Bull Music Academy - Uncle Jam's Army Reunion October 28, 2017 Poster.jpg
Poster for the Uncle Jam's Army Reunion event at the Red Bull Music Academy, Los Angeles, October 2017

Discography

Singles

Deaths

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Nightclubbing: Uncle Jamm's Army". Red Bull Music Academy Daily. October 31, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Weiss, Jeff (October 12, 2010). "Remembering Rodger 'Uncle Jamm' Clayton, early L.A. rap promoter". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Interview: Rodger Clayton (Uncle Jamm's Army)". Red Bull Music Academy Daily. October 31, 2017. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 "Legendary Rodger Clayton (Uncle Jamm's Army) Passes Away". DubCNN. October 12, 2010. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  5. ↑ "Arabian Prince: Brother Arab". Red Bull Music Academy. 2014. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  6. ↑ "Arabian Prince on 808s, technology and West Coast hip hop". Roland Articles. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 "Uncle Jamm's Army - Dial-A-Freak". Discogs. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Uncle Jamm's Army & The California Cat Crew - The Roach Is On The Wall". Discogs. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Jones, Tracy (September 7, 2016). "Uncle Jamm's Army Was the West Coast's Real-Life Answer to The Get Down". LA Weekly. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Uncle Jamm's Army - Naughty Boy". Discogs. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
  11. ↑ "Rest in Peace David "Dr. Funkenstein" Storm". Facebook. 2023. Retrieved October 26, 2025.
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