Born: 1959
Real Name: Dwayne Simon
Artist Name: Muffla

Dwayne Simon who is Roger Claytons cousin was one of the original members of Unique Dream Entertainment later renamed to the Uncle Jamms Army. Beside the well known
 UJA productions he also had a few independent releases between the years 1985 and 1986 like Def and Defiance "Wild Wild West" and Double D "Autobotic Body Rock". A part of the Army later became the L.A. Posse a based hip hop production team that first rose to prominence in 1987 when Def Jam founder Russell Simmons signed them to produce LL Cool J's breakthrough album "Bigger and Deffer". The team was made up of Dwayne "Muffla" Simon, Darryl "Big Dad" Pierce, Bobby "Bob Cat" ErvIn and Mark "DJ Pooh" Jordan. 

In 1986 Dwayne first met "RUSSELL SIMMONS" in the lobby of the 1986 BRE Conference in Los Angeles. Dwayne "Muffla" Simon, MC Breeze, Darryl "Big Dad" Pierce, and later Bobby "Bobcat" Ervin, and Mark "DJ Pooh" Jordan, became the first west coast crew to be signed to the then rap music powerhouse "DEF JAM RECORDINGS", where they proceeded to write and produce hits like "I NEED LOVE", "BIG OLE BUTT", "JINGLING BABY", "I'M THAT TYPE OF GUY", "I'M BAD", & "JACK THE RIPPER" for "L.L. COOL J". That, along with hits like "BEATS TO THE RHYME" for "RUN DMC" and the "MC BREEZE" smash "LA POSSE", immediately catapulted them into super producer status. They were also responsible for the launch of a camp of talented artists such as "THE LADY OF RAGE", "MONIFA", "AMEL LARRIEUX", "ORGANIZED KONFUSION", "ILL of ILL AL SKRATCH', "KING TEE & THE ALKAHOLIKS", and NIKKI D, who was by the way, the first female of hip hop signed to Def Jam. 

After securing various production deals, they branched off and spread through the early hip hop/rap scene like wildfire, helping to form what is now one of, if not, the, most powerful and influential genre of music the world has ever heard and earning over 40 Gold and Platinum Records in the process. *MUFFLA, while currently still making music, is the creator of SKUBS, the hottest skate and skateboard accessory to hit the streets in over 50 years. He is also the owner of BOMB RADIO, one of southern california's hottest new pirate radio stations, and the Head Football Coach at one of Southern Cali's Perennial Powerhouse High Schools. *BIG DAD, after a brief stint on televisions A DIFFERENT WORLD, and a small speaking role in the WAXWORK II horror sequel, has since worked with some of the industries most influential figures such as film director JOHN SINGLETON, and super producer DR. DRE. Also garnering management duties for actors TIA & TAMARA MOWRY (Sister to Sister), TAJ MOWRY (Smart Guy), and currently daughter of the late Marvin Gaye NONA (Matrix,Ali,Crash). *DJ POOH, while producing hits for artists like ICE CUBE & SNOOP, has evolved into a mega multimedia mogul, writing, directing, producing, and creating box office hits like FRIDAY, video games like GRAND THEFT AUTO SAN ANDREAS, television programs like THE BOONDOCKS, and is currently the owner of his own major television network UVIEWNET. 

*BOBCAT, also since making hits for Ice Cube, MACK 10, and the legendary TUPAC SHAKUR, and after a spiritual hiatus, has breathed new life into the west coast hip hop scene with the launching of his WEST COAST DJS AND PRODUCERS organization. *BREEZE, along with his crew STEFFON "THE DANCER" and DJ SMOOTH, have capitalized on various lucrative ventures such as acting, producing, & remixing. BREEZE is also closely associated with the success of one of r&b's current stars NE-YO, who by the way is managed by another one of the posses offspring TANGO. Others who have excelled beyond their LA POSSE foundations are The Lady of Rage (Recurring roles on televisions Steve Harvey Show & Baby D in Next Friday), Ty Knox (owner Song West Production Company), & Nikki D (Director, Phat Farm Men's Marketing). Not bad for a buncha brothers & sistas just trying to have a little fun on the music tip.

Interviews for westcoastpioneers.com

Interview Dwayne Simons Muffly Uncle Jamms Army West Coast Pioneers 2006

Interview Snake Puppy West Coast Pioneers 12 2007

Music producer, entertainer, and club owner "Grandmaster" Lonzo began his career in the late 70's forming Z-Car Promotions with Roger Clayton. The two set up events and parties before spliting (Roger would later create Uncle Jamm's Army). Next Lonzo created a disco, funk, and dance mobile DJ party crew called Disco Construction and the Wreckin' Cru. At the same time Lonzo ran several clubs in the South Los Angeles area such as Dooto´s and Eve After Dark.

The establishment of the first large urban independent record manufacturer and distributor, Macola Records, led Lonzo to create Kru Cut Records in 1984 (a Macola Sublabel) and produce electro-rap releases with the  World Class Wreckin' Cru through in the mid 80's. After great success with such singles as "Juice", "Surgery", "Cabbage Patch" and a brief stint on Epic Records, the group members left over financial disputs. However Lonzo enjoyed great revenue from the group's last single, "Turn Off The Lights", which hit big on the pop and urban charts. 

In an effort continue the success of his former group, Lonzo assembled a new Wreckin' Cru and released several compilation albums throughout the 1990's. One of these albums attempted to play off the success of former protege Dr. Dre titled First Round Knock Out. However Lonzo took much heat after being sued by the former Wreckin' Cru member because the release appeared to many as an official Dr. Dre release and contained a controversial unreleased track. 

Recently Lonzo focuses on running his newest club, Club Hall Of Fame, located in Inglewood, California. The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer tours extensively for public speaking engagements at universities and on entertainment industry panels across the United States and hosts a weekly live call in talk show that boasts a regional viewer-ship of approximately 200,000.

Williams is the Founder of the Hip Hop Hall of Fame and Edutainment Center, creator of the World Class Wreckin' Cru and also known as the “Godfather of West Coast Rap”. During his more than twenty-five plus years in the music industry, Lonzo has helped to structure the futures of some of today’s hottest talents such as Dr. Dre, Battlecat, DJ Rectangle and Ice Cube to mention a few. Currently, he hosts California’s only live call-in television talk show “Issues in the Hood” which airs live in multiple cities. 

Mr. Williams is also in constant demand around the United States as a public speaker and authority on the beginnings of West Coast Hip Hop and has been featured on MTV, VH1, and Los Angeles Times as well as other industry trades such as Source, Vibe etc. Williams was also an integral figure in the best selling music industry documentary “Welcome to Death Row”, an expose on the most news worthy Hip Hop label in the world. His personal goal is to teach not only the ins and outs of performing and song writing, but also encourage entrepreneurship in the youth of today in regards to the music industry and all it has to offer.

William’s newest venture into the mainstream music world is the “Urban Idol” compilation CD for which concept is already achieving industry wide acclaims and landed a major production and distribution agreement via XXX/Navarre. His “Urban Idol” compilation is due to hit the streets First quarter 2005 and will feature both signed and unsigned acts. This unique project actually provides artists both payment and promotion for each track that is accepted for the project. 

Always on the side of the underdog, Williams has assured that prompt and fair payments of royalties from this compilation will be the order of the day.
Reaching out and leading the way is how Williams made his mark in the music industry, with such heartfelt compassion for artists and the will to clear the path of unnecessary obstacles, he will always be considered “The Godfather”. Hacking his way through the jungles and mazes of the music industry he now looks back at the path he worked so hard to clear and smiles as he sees the next generation finally catching up…stay tuned…the story isn’t finished…


WCP II

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