Uncle Jamm's Army

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]

Uncle Jamm's Army
Also known as	UJA
Origin	Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres	Funk, hip hop, electro
Years active	1978–1988
Labels	Freak Beat; Dunk Yer Funk
Members	None
Past members	Rodger Clayton † Gid Martin Tony Martin Greg Martin Dr. Funkenstein † Bleebs Egyptian Lover Ice-T DJ Bobcat DJ Pooh Arabian Prince Joe Cooley DJ Kittkatt Paul "Shadow" Neal

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

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.

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

Discography

Singles

• "Dial-A-Freak" (1983, Freak Beat Records, catalog number UJA-1001)^[7]
  • A1. "Dial-A-Freak" – 6:35
  • A2. "Yes, Yes, Yes (Vocal)" – 7:25
  • B1. "Yes, Yes, Yes (Instrumental)" – 8:50
• "Naughty Boy" (1985, Freak Beat Records, catalog number UJA-1002)^[10]
  • A1. "Naughty Boy"
  • A2. "What's Your Sign (Of the Zodiac Baby Doll)"
  • B1. "What's Your Sign (Instrumental)"
• "The Roach Is on the Wall" (credited to Uncle Jamm's Army & The California Cat Crew) (1985, Freak Beat Records, catalog number UJA-1003)^[8]
  • A1. "The Roach Is on the Wall"
  • A2. "Roach Motel (Fast Version)"
  • B1. "The Roach Is on the Wall (Slow Instrumental Rap Yourself)"

Deaths

• Rodger Clayton – died October 10, 2010, of a heart attack.^[2][4]
• David "Dr. Funkenstein" Storm – reported deceased in 2023 by peers and publicly memorialized.^[11]