The Unknown DJ, born Andre Manuel, is one of the pioneers of West Coast hip-hop. He started as a DJ back in the early 80´s spinning records in Lonzo´s Eve after Dark. In 1984 he first appeared along with Dr. Dre and Daniel Sofer on the title "Rhythm Rock Rap" puplished on the Saturn Label. Daniel Sofer was the musical mastermind behind this production and shortly after Unknown hired him to work on the first track recorded on his own Techno Hop label called "Beatronic". 

After that Unknown DJ and "Perfect Tommy", which was Daniel Sofers  nickname, produced West Coast Classics like "808 Beats" and "Let´s Jam" together. Darryl Davis aka Lyrrad parted in these productions and did the drawings for the famous picture covers and the Techno Hop Logo. 1986 Unknown DJ produced "6 in the mornin" the first Gangsta Rap with Ice T which was the flipside from "Dog´n the Wax". In 1989 Techno Hop released the last record called "C.M.W - This is Compton". 

1988 Unknown DJ foundet the Techno Kut label which was known for productions like "Basstronic" , "Breakdown", "Unknown´s House" and "X-men series". 

The Unknown DJ continued as a producer for MC Eight's crew Compton´s Most Wanted. He also produced music for artists such as A.L.T., Brownside, H.W.A., Bobby Jimmy, and King Tee.  He gave Yella of the World Class Wreckin Cru his name after a song from Tom Tom Club "Mr. Yellow" and he had idea for the song roaches by Bobby Jimmy and the Critters.

Orginal comment from Unknown: "I conceived, produced, recorded and even did the roach rap on "Roaches" along with Darryl Davis at his home studio after a night of drinking and a phone call to that legend in his own mind Russ Parr (Bobby Jimmy) :+) We gave Russ a few lines and the concept and 5 hours later he and the Critters showed up at Darryl's to drop lyrics on the track he and I made overnight."

Interview unknown dj west coast pioneers 11 2008 part two

WCP I