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…


Interview lonzo williams world class wreckin cru west coast pioneers 05 2006

WCP II