Uncle Jamm's Army

Uncle Jamm's Army was an American funk and hip hop collective based in Los Angeles, California.^[1][2] The group was co-founded by Rodger Clayton and Gid Martin in the late 1970s, first operating as Unique Dreams Entertainment before adopting its permanent name.^[1][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

A poster for an Uncle Jamm's Army concert with Run-D.M.C. in 1984

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 Jamm's Army.^[1][3][4]

The name was inspired by Parliament-Funkadelic's 1979 album Uncle Jam Wants You. Clayton said the group took its name from that record to present 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 appeared in their early 1980s line-ups.

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

Uncle Jamm's Army expanded to major venues like 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 Jamm's Army in Oakland, California

The group released its own records on Freak Beat, 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 went on to solo careers. KDAY radio DJ Greg Mack helped bring their sound to Los Angeles audiences.^[2]

By the late 1980s, N.W.A. and Ruthless Records dominated West Coast hip hop, and Uncle Jamm's Army disbanded.^[9][4]

Impact and legacy

Writers identify Uncle Jamm's Army as a link between California funk party culture and professionalized West Coast hip hop.^[1][9] Their use of drum machines and electronic instrumentation influenced later G-funk producers, including Dr. Dre.^[2][1] "Dial-A-Freak" remains cited as a landmark Los Angeles electro release.^[7]

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 – death reported by peers and memorialized publicly.^[11]