so I met Flowers in 1974 across from Penn Station on 8th Ave. in a DJ battle, had heard him at parties previously but began hanging out and we became friends. I joined his crew with Jamal and Smokey, setting us at gigs and breaking down, hanging out in between. I had spun at some house parties and had rudimentary equipment but was blown away by his technical approach and his musicology. There was no one else in that scene doing what he did. The way he blended records, his 'photographic' memory of what might follow a given cut, his searching for obscure music, he was a true pioneer. I built my 'set' and began spinning as 'Sophistifunk' emulating his equipment set up and style. We were inseparable for almost 4 years until equipment thefts and drugs pulled me away from that life. I ran into him many years later crack addicted panhandling in front of Tower Records on B'way. It was heartbreaking and he was embarrassed to see me. I saw him a few times after that and learned many years later about his death. Johnny was my brother and I had a great love for him. He was not rude or arrogant but essentially shy and a perfectionist in his craft, he was also really funny and generous with people that he liked. He was instrumental in the style of extending 'breaks' and having MC's rap over the breaks, eventually with others in later years the breaks became dominant and the MC's became the first generation of rappers. The "hippity hop we don't stop'"was the birth of Hip Hop which owes much to those early DJ's, none more so than the original Grandmaster, Jonathan Cameron Flowers, RIP
@@HeavenlyHouse funny, in the years we hung out no one really thought much of taking photos or recording gigs. Portable cassette players were not yet a thing and big reel to reels were unwieldy. I think there are some online of later gigs but in listening they don't remind me of his mixing style or selections. I had stopped hanging with him by late 1978-9 as I was struggling with my own cocaine habit living on the Lower East Side. During the years 1975-1978 I was constantly with him and never have heard someone blend and select records like Flowers. No one came close
That’s was a great story you really need to share more of them as there’s too many knuckleheads on here with romanticised ideas of what the scene was back then and too many just don’t get it
Much respect. I grew up rapping at Huting Park in Philadelphia back in 1980- 1986. I was a street battler and “hip hop, ya don’t stop” type house party rapper; so I greatly respect a real deejay who can cut and scratch right on point to not throw off the emcee nor the crowd that’s dancing. I grew up trying to be like the Furious Five, Spoonie G, Funky Four, Treacherous Thee, Jimmy Spicer, etc. And so Grandmaster Flash was a very important part of my childhood; so by way of extension and respect to those who inspired those who inspired me, I salute Grandmaster Flowers, and give him his props, respect, and “flowers”. Peace, Brother! RicSki, now RicMo.
I knew DJ Flowers. He DJ'd at Studio 54 ( Mike Stone). He also, DJ'd at Bonds International (Mike Stone). On Sundays, He would DJ at Reese Beach(1981-1982). He was AMAZING!!!! He CHANGED everything!!!! BTW I remember he DJ'd with 4 TurnTables. Flowers would mix CJ & Factory with Cerone and then he would mix in Earth Wind & Fire. That Combo would sound amazing.
Big up DJ Flowers. I'm from Brooklyn and I remember DJ Flowers. I became a DJ around the early 70's and was inspired by him. I remember DJ Flowers using two 45's and mixing the record War by Edwin Star. This is what was done back in the day when you wanted to extend a song being played. I'm happy I came across this video. Thanks Gregor Scott
@@funkyfreshzorro00he played with KC the prince of Soul (early Mc) and Dj Hollywood Bboys that went to his parties included Cholly Rock Clark Kent & the nigga twins and before he starting DJing Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel who were Bboys before entertainers. It was at his parties where Flash got the “Grandmaster” title from
I had only learned of his passing a couple years back and was quite saddened. Met him around '83 in the Atlantic Ave Men's Shelter in Bklyn. I had just arrived in NY and was starting over again after an altercation in my families home. Everyone always gave him props and was a cool cat considering the position we were in. Hung out with him a bit for a couple of years there then lost contact after i left. Knew every single band and RnB group i could quiz him on and quite saavy on a variety of musical topics. Will always be missed, (RIP).
This is one of the first channels to engage in this conversation about the history. We getting it straight now. 3 years later microphone check documentary.
They are the 3 Dj's to hit Jacob Riis Park with Ron Plummer being one of the first. Then came others like The Barabbas Brothers, Ash The Hyper Freak, DJ Wire, Pete DJ Jones, Smith Brothers, DJ Freddy Sanon, Ernie Kendell The Space Cowboy (who played along with Maboya), DJ Shango, DJ Gregory Myers, Nu Sounds Production and a few other names that I'm forgetting. I remember Saturdays and Sundays when there would be 7 or 8 DJ's setup at onetime and not only your skills would draw the crowd, You had to have a massive system to everyone's attention. Grandmaster Camron was one of the best and loudest sounds out there!!! This was happening around 1969 - 1974/
@@mario72g It a rumor going around social media that Caribbeans brought the sound system culture to NY. Whats your opinion on this? From my understanding it was homegrown.
Grandmaster Flowers was the first to beatmatch. He was doing it before Francis Grasso. Grasso didnt start djing until 67 or 68. Flowers was already a big DJ in 1965 and beatmatching records and also extending the breaks. I wouldnt be surprised if Grasso learned from seeing and listening to Flowers. They both were in Brooklyn.
Grandmaster Flowers was one of the first if not the first DJ to put on the legendary hip hop DJ Clark Kent. It is debatable Flowers place in hip hop, with that being said, he influenced the first and second generation of hip hop DJ's from Brooklyn to become DJ's in the first place!!
Comentari coming out called "microphone check" that's going to clear all of this up. People like to quickly jump to the late 70s early 80s when discussing hip-hop rather than its origins.
The first mobile mixer with a crossfaded was likely the Millbank Disco 2, which came out sometime around '71. GLI mixers with crossfaders started being produced in 73... Flash didn't create the crossfaders, he had to make his own initially because he couldn't afford/access the pro equipment.
Thank you for this... For every one that has risen to the top, there are hundreds - even thousands - that have tried but not succeeded or were just victims of their environment - happens too often in our neighborhoods. GM Flowers laid down a foundation - like many others, Disco King Mario, for one, that passed at a young age and didn't have the time to see their seeds grow into a forest of trees. Those that have flourished in the industry perhaps don't even know how they got where they are now - they just have to look back and thank these folks.
@@donaldmccall3968 Don disco started about 1970. In my opinion Freida Payne's " Band of Gold" the beginning of disco. Only difference was the use of 4/4 snare vs 4/4 bass. Pistol Allen on drums.
Brother Scott thanks for looking out for Grandmaster Flowers. Do you have any information on the Grand Master Flowers DJ Techniques like in 1970, 1971, 1972, God bless.
Thanks Gregor. I had never heard any of the history before, but remember hearing a lot of DJs that groomed me if you call it that mentioning him. While I knew folks from the Bronx, other than hearing flash tapes. Most of my learning came from DJs from lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Also, when it came to background a lot were Jamaican. It was all almost like a linage from a karate movie or something lol.
Great video. He probably was forgotten because: a) He had a bad attitude and few people wanted to keep his name alive. b) He sadly got onto drugs and didn't do the best to improve nor keep himself alive. c) As the Bronx had thousands of Zulu Nation, and Manhattan had similar groups promoting it, doesn't seem that any organized group took on supporting GM Flowers, thus his legacy wasn't spread, but by a select handful of fans.
The bad attitude piece definitely cropped up in the research I did, seemed very much like an ego that just kept growing, sure people thought he was great, but he thought he was even better.
His situation was similar to another Unsung dj names King Disco Mario he was a member of The Black Spades in the Bronx ... its been said he was bigger then herc and African bambatta but they both surpass him because he was too into drugs so he died either in the 80s or before the 80s do a video on him ....there is alot of info Micheal Wayne talks about Mario
A few people have suggested looking into Mario a little more, and I ended up doing that towards the end of last year; th-cam.com/video/qlRG3_6DVJg/w-d-xo.html
Jimmy Savile was british, also was a massive liar (among other things). But I know radio DJs were using two turntables pretty early on, so maybe that's what he was talking about?
African American Genre music Influenced Reggae Music does that mean African American Created Reggae Music no. But some of these caribbean people think they started Hip Hop, they are lying, Lairs, Lairs.
😂😂😂 What a joke ! And native brasilians did invent traditionnel chinese dance ! 😁😁😁 Hip-Hop is worldwide multimixed, God invented it and every kind of people are just enjoying it. PEACE.
Crazy to me you sound like Montcalm as i just read the story on the conquest of Oswego. I was thinking before i watched this about how Hendricks left the US to play in England because of its the non bias. Then you mentioned Jimmy
Are there any eyewitnesses to the story of Flowers playing at Yankee Stadium for James Brown? If true, did he have a set up on stage where he was visible with turntables, or was he behind the scenes playing over the PA system? I have folks that are doubting that he ever played for JB. I would certainly want to know what actually transpired?
Mid-range Numark ones (tt-1000 maybe), with a djm-250. Vinyl is a lot of hip hop and reggae, digital is more of that plus afrobeats, dancehall and house. I might get to sharing a mix one of these days, more videos in the works before then though!
In the words of Fab Five Freddy, #1 'He inspired a lot of Kats, known as pioneers, to wanna be a Deejay.' #2 AND he had an Emcee, whose name I can't recall right now. #3 extended the part people liked to hear. Remember Mario & Herc weren't exactly playing up to the standards of those who came after and in some cases, as well as those who were playing simultaneously, in the game BUT mobile, their systems, selections help contribute to the foundation of Hip Hop, which it wasn't called until about 1979 or 80.
To Don McCall......On the F Train listening to Cameo's " It's Serious" a primetime joint at the Garage...... Larry Levan was almost unbeatable on that sound system but there was one person who could outplay Larry on his own sound system.........guess who, Don? Hehehehe.
Man, I gotta give you your credit. You are doing what should have been done in magazines like “the source”, and “xxl” Plus, you’re yt, it shouldn’t mean nothing but most yt people who speak on hip hop just repeat the misinformation of Afrika Bambatta and Krs-One Appreciate you! 💯
That's very kind, thank you! I've been looking more into Bambaataa and it's tough because a lot of his stories don't match up, not with other accounts and sometimes not even with themselves.
Very interesting peace on being the first mobile djs that play in clubs and park jams and playing more disco, but you never mention that he started hip hop
Yeah, I did kind of allude to it, mentioning how he's often left out of hip hop history because the "better" stories are with Herc, Flash etcetera, rather than with him. But then it definitely feels like he was too early to be a straight Hip Hop DJ
@@donaldmccall3968 Don ......Flowers get partial credit because he was the first to use a MC......afterall isn't that what hip-hop is? Dude I knew Flowers from Downstairs Records.
@@rickjason1786 see he might've had the stereo sound system and opening up for James Brown back n 68 but, there weren't no such thang call hop hip or Disco music until the early 70s. See at that time he was playing straight up disco music. Then we all witness unfold In front of our eye's since the brith of Rock n Roll have token on known as Hip Hop. First started by Kool Herc he fouce portion of the record to emphasize the drum beat call it break and Flash with the quick theory techniques spinning back n frouth and marking the beat with a crayon. Grandwizard Theodore invented scratching know as shigi shigi between the breaks and, Bamtaataa help push hip hop to other borough
The drums one direct 4-4 bass and the other is offset with other notes in space between the quarter notes..... breakbeat. As I said before the difference between Clyde Stubblefield and Earl Young.
@@donaldmccall3968 Here we go again. Disco is based on Earl Young's drumming. How could it be electric if there a human drumming. You're talking about house and techno. They use drum machines. Like I said before you need to up your musical intelligence!
@@rickjason1786 Clyde Stubblefield Funky Dummer, is one of the first break beats records of all time first generation of rapper was simple other djs before Earl, 4.4 heavily drum beat on note between funk records.
There wasn't really, mostly that developed through the 80s and later (still not huge though), but in sourcing this I saw a couple of explicit mentions about the African community in reference to Carnival. Maybe the sources were just mis-stating african american?
There’s a community in ny not large mostly spread out and as far as the West Indian day parade is concerned if they come it’s out of respect as spectators there not part of it they hold there own celebrations during there holidays
lots of myths and stories circulating. Not all correct. He wasn't arrogant, he was a perfectionist and he treated it as a craft, he didn't have a tone of respect for those who didn't put their 'time' in
American music forms: Spirituals, Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, Country, Gospel, Bluegrass, Folk, Rock n Roll, Doo-Wop, Soul, Funk, Disco, Punk, House and of course Rap and Hip Hop---all enjoy well documented African American roots coupled with undeniable Black American influence---whether directly or indirectly.. Latinos -- Puerto Ricans particularly -- please explain how you co-created or co-invented yet another installment in the legacy of Black Musical expression known as Rap and Hip Hop, yet didn't co-create or co-invent any of the elements of the 14 or so African American music forms that preceeded it? Or why you were nowhere to be found and absent during the creative and inventive foundation outlining the forms of African American musical expression, brilliance and greatness throughout, or even prior to the previous 14 or so African American music forms that are mentioned above. Yet then, all of a sudden--out of nowhere, you folks come along and falsely claim latinos and/or puerto ricans co-created and co-invented Rap and Hip Hop 50/50 half n half (which is the evidence-free and utter nonsense being peddled by Dr. Derrick Colon, radical latino, Fat Joe and numerous other un-informed and envious latinos---claims latinos never mentioned, verbalized or asserted during its inception in the early 1970's)---latinos claims of "50/50--half & half co-creation and co-invention just don't add up---it makes no sense and are increasingly coming under heavy scrutiny which is leading to these claims being easily debunked--widespread. Nice try though latinos and puerto ricans. Make it make sense Latinos
Because he's the first to play with a MC. A lot of the DJ techniques used by Flash and Caz came from Flowers. They all looked up to Flowers. Point Blank!
Those "hip-hop" records that Herc got credit for came from Flowers e.g. "The Mexican" or Manu Dibango's "New Bell" etc. Flowers played as much funk as disco. Who do you think broke Brass Construction......... Flowers and Hollywood.
@@guillermogutierrez3315 Grandmaster Flowers, DJ Hollywood etc als. were the first to play Brass Construction records. "Broke" means in DJ talk you played those records first, created publicity for......
@@guillermogutierrez3315 Those hip-hop means offset 4/4 bass with eighth or sixteenth notes in space between the quarter notes. AKA breakbeats. I get the impression you're not a DJ or musician or musicologist.
We need to stop letting white folks tell Black history because they'll say whatever this white dude is just saying anything Caribbeans had no influence or impact on hip-hop culture hip-hop was already around an cemented before any Caribbeans thought about trying to emulate Black culture an for the record all Cool Herc did was play some records at a house party
Flowers was at the forefront of the mobile DJ movement, and was highly respected by every active DJ in the late 60s early 70s in New York. So when DJ history mentions the likes of Francis Grosso or DJ Hollywood, and Flowers gets a footnote if that, I think he's owed more in the telling of the story. One of the biggest and best DJs of the 70s, a pioneer of mobile DJing, and all he did was press play?
@@GregorDWScott Yes..! most Dj's did nothing but press play. And keep in mind, these Dj's were doing gigs and working for clubs. They would've been fired for experimenting. Only Dj's who could afford to do so where those throwing their own parties --> H E R C Only reason these other Dj's are now being mentioned is because African Americans get self esteem from thinking they created hip-hop and they want to take credit away from Dj Herc (since he's Jamaican). There are people called "foundational black Americans" who are currently editing and black washing history in their favour.
@@Whatever-u5wExactly. Much respect to Flowers who helped lay the foundation for mobile djs. But there is now a deliberate attempt to conflate disco with hip hop.
Nope. The DJ no one knows. Is DJ KID NICE. THE best DJ. Who battle grand master flash in 1980. CAMELOT INN. RT 9. Poughkeepsie NY. THE ARCHITECT of the BLEND'S. With patterns unlike nobody else. Facts. DJ KID NICE. Newburgh NY
Comparing grandmaster flowers to Kool Herc or flash is like trying to compare whiskey to whine both alcohol but two totally different drinks He had his crowd and his followers and his turntable concept but flash Herc and Bambaataa had the sound that moved us he may not be around to speak for himself but his music is around and If you gave one of his tapes to a 17 year old b-boy in 1977 which what I was I’d tell you thanks but no thanks he had his crowd and his followers that wanted that kind of sound but stop trying to make him someone he was not
For sure, his style was different, but as far as the development of DJing as an art, he was well ahead of a lot of DJs at the time, and definitely pushed the form forwards.
Shy "arrogant" perfectionist who opens up to specific people sounds like he was neurodiverse like most people think Grandmaster Flash is. The arrogance could just be poor social skills/ paranoia of being taken advantage of. But it's just a theory
As in Jazzy Jeff and Cash Money who started DJing some 10+ years after Flowers? I 100% want to dig more into Philly music, and the influence it's had, but here I wanted to look much earlier in the history.
When he started disco didn't really exist, but yeah definitely not a hip hop DJ. A lot of what he pioneered technologically was adopted by DJs across the spectrum though
@@yaxjvn See Flowers was selective dj when disco wasn't excited yet, yeah he open up for James Brown back n 69 but toward the 70s was approaching that when he started playing more disco music.
Sorry but we didn’t like the sound his voice or his record choice let me put it like this you couldn’t wear sneakers at some of places he played we’re talking about a totally different culture
White folks speaking on Black hip-hop culture is a no go for me honestly he said Cool Herc paved the way for hip-hop an that's a damn lie Black Americans were already DJ'n before Herc even came to America Black Americans were rapping in the early 60s "Pig Meat" so this white boy needs to get his story str8 before speaking our history! Black Americans are the culture of the whole earth never forget that!
so I met Flowers in 1974 across from Penn Station on 8th Ave. in a DJ battle, had heard him at parties previously but began hanging out and we became friends. I joined his crew with Jamal and Smokey, setting us at gigs and breaking down, hanging out in between. I had spun at some house parties and had rudimentary equipment but was blown away by his technical approach and his musicology. There was no one else in that scene doing what he did. The way he blended records, his 'photographic' memory of what might follow a given cut, his searching for obscure music, he was a true pioneer. I built my 'set' and began spinning as 'Sophistifunk' emulating his equipment set up and style. We were inseparable for almost 4 years until equipment thefts and drugs pulled me away from that life. I ran into him many years later crack addicted panhandling in front of Tower Records on B'way. It was heartbreaking and he was embarrassed to see me. I saw him a few times after that and learned many years later about his death. Johnny was my brother and I had a great love for him. He was not rude or arrogant but essentially shy and a perfectionist in his craft, he was also really funny and generous with people that he liked. He was instrumental in the style of extending 'breaks' and having MC's rap over the breaks, eventually with others in later years the breaks became dominant and the MC's became the first generation of rappers. The "hippity hop we don't stop'"was the birth of Hip Hop which owes much to those early DJ's, none more so than the original Grandmaster, Jonathan Cameron Flowers, RIP
Do any recordings exist of his mixes?
@@HeavenlyHouse funny, in the years we hung out no one really thought much of taking photos or recording gigs. Portable cassette players were not yet a thing and big reel to reels were unwieldy. I think there are some online of later gigs but in listening they don't remind me of his mixing style or selections. I had stopped hanging with him by late 1978-9 as I was struggling with my own cocaine habit living on the Lower East Side. During the years 1975-1978 I was constantly with him and never have heard someone blend and select records like Flowers. No one came close
@@davidbober8503 I thought it was a long shot. At least his mixes still live on inside your mind :) Cheers for responding.
That’s was a great story you really need to share more of them as there’s too many knuckleheads on here with romanticised ideas of what the scene was back then and too many just don’t get it
Much respect.
I grew up rapping at Huting Park in Philadelphia back in 1980- 1986. I was a street battler and “hip hop, ya don’t stop” type house party rapper; so I greatly respect a real deejay who can cut and scratch right on point to not throw off the emcee nor the crowd that’s dancing. I grew up trying to be like the Furious Five, Spoonie G, Funky Four, Treacherous Thee, Jimmy Spicer, etc.
And so Grandmaster Flash was a very important part of my childhood; so by way of extension and respect to those who inspired those who inspired me, I salute Grandmaster Flowers, and give him his props, respect, and “flowers”.
Peace, Brother!
RicSki, now RicMo.
RIP Jonathan Flowers. A real one.
Thank You young man for giving The Grandmaster his Flowers.
That’s a bar 🤣🤲🏾
Played at carnival. U know with Caribbean people lmao
Wow this really warms my heart. Thank you for acknowledging my Uncle The Original GrandMaster Flowers. Appreciate this Gregor.
Thank you, I was happy with how I presented his story and it means a lot to hear this.
We never get our props every one wants to be on top. Sorry people truth is truth.
I knew DJ Flowers. He DJ'd at Studio 54 ( Mike Stone). He also, DJ'd at Bonds International (Mike Stone). On Sundays, He would DJ at Reese Beach(1981-1982). He was AMAZING!!!! He CHANGED everything!!!! BTW I remember he DJ'd with 4 TurnTables. Flowers would mix CJ & Factory with Cerone and then he would mix in Earth Wind & Fire. That Combo would sound amazing.
Big up DJ Flowers. I'm from Brooklyn and I remember DJ Flowers. I became a DJ around the early 70's and was inspired by him. I remember DJ Flowers using two 45's and mixing the record War by Edwin Star. This is what was done back in the day when you wanted to extend a song being played. I'm happy I came across this video. Thanks Gregor Scott
Brother, thank thank you. Some Caribbean think that DJ herc was the first to use Two Turntables in America we were using Two Turntables in 1940.
Two turntables were being used in the 1940s in the United States. The British in 1950s. It can go both ways it what media source you will be reading.
As I said before, Flowers played on three turntables. Like Larry Levan. Where do you think Larry got the.idea from?
Ffs the first mixer was produced in 1970 do your history !
@@godsson7787 Who said anything about a mixer? We're talking turntables. Lol
@@stanleyshack26 could you send me the source please?
Saw Grand Master Flowers at Boston Road Ballroom in the Bronx, NYC. 1978... I was so impressed that I never forgot him. Truly a Master DJ.
Was he playing Disco or Hip Hop Breaks?
DJ Flowers is one of the founding fathers of Hip Hop and a pioneer of disco!
What he did for Hip hop? Did he has emcees,bboy's,b-girl's....
@@funkyfreshzorro00he played with KC the prince of Soul (early Mc) and Dj Hollywood
Bboys that went to his parties included Cholly Rock Clark Kent & the nigga twins and before he starting DJing Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel who were Bboys before entertainers. It was at his parties where Flash got the “Grandmaster” title from
@@djdefk2 That does not make him the founding father of Hip Hip.
LIAR.
@@ev8318 no it makes him ONE of the founding fathers well before Bambaataa, Kool Herc and grandmaster Flash
Oh man grand Master was the best mobile dj I new him personally when he set up the whole wold came out luv video thanks
I had only learned of his passing a couple years back and was quite saddened. Met him around '83 in the Atlantic Ave Men's Shelter in Bklyn. I had just arrived in NY and was starting over again after an altercation in my families home. Everyone always gave him props and was a cool cat considering the position we were in. Hung out with him a bit for a couple of years there then lost contact after i left. Knew every single band and RnB group i could quiz him on and quite saavy on a variety of musical topics. Will always be missed, (RIP).
This is one of the first channels to engage in this conversation about the history. We getting it straight now. 3 years later microphone check documentary.
African Americans DJs were using Two Turntables before the 1970s.
Yes African American DJs were using two, and three turntables like in the 1960s
@@stanleyshack26 bro, did you really affirm your own comment?
I am proud to say I Experienced the LAND of DJ FLOWERS!!!!
grandmaster flowers, maboya, dj plumber, all early brooklyn djs
Thanks brother can you tell me what DJs techniques like going back and forward on the records in 2971, and 1972. Thanks.
I mean 1972
They are the 3 Dj's to hit Jacob Riis Park with Ron Plummer being one of the first. Then came others like The Barabbas Brothers, Ash The Hyper Freak, DJ Wire, Pete DJ Jones, Smith Brothers, DJ Freddy Sanon, Ernie Kendell The Space Cowboy (who played along with Maboya), DJ Shango, DJ Gregory Myers, Nu Sounds Production and a few other names that I'm forgetting. I remember Saturdays and Sundays when there would be 7 or 8 DJ's setup at onetime and not only your skills would draw the crowd, You had to have a massive system to everyone's attention. Grandmaster Camron was one of the best and loudest sounds out there!!! This was happening around 1969 - 1974/
@@mario72g It a rumor going around social media that Caribbeans brought the sound system culture to NY. Whats your opinion on this? From my understanding it was homegrown.
Was there a 'DJ Cowboy'? The tour dj of Wu Tang told me his name a couple of years ago. But I never found him.
Grandmaster Flowers was the first to beatmatch. He was doing it before Francis Grasso. Grasso didnt start djing until 67 or 68. Flowers was already a big DJ in 1965 and beatmatching records and also extending the breaks. I wouldnt be surprised if Grasso learned from seeing and listening to Flowers. They both were in Brooklyn.
Not in '65 he wasn't. He started in 1967.
He's started in 66
Nice work, really glad people still take the time to remember the talent of the first grandmaster.
Absolutely! DJ Flowers #Salute
I also remember Maboya. Whenever we heard Maboya was playing, we would make sure not to miss it..
Grandmaster Flowers was one of the first if not the first DJ to put on the legendary hip hop DJ Clark Kent. It is debatable Flowers place in hip hop, with that being said, he influenced the first and second generation of hip hop DJ's from Brooklyn to become DJ's in the first place!!
Indeed. DJ Clark Kent has gone on record interviews to say that Grandmaster Flowers gave him hid first start.
Comentari coming out called "microphone check" that's going to clear all of this up. People like to quickly jump to the late 70s early 80s when discussing hip-hop rather than its origins.
Don't forget Dj Hollywood & Pete Dj Jones before Kool Herc
American was using Two turntables in 1940s, Jamaican and the British 1950s.
Well if so they wasnt mixing as the crossfader wasnt in production until 1977. Unless you go on about flash greating his own mid 70s.
The first mobile mixer with a crossfaded was likely the Millbank Disco 2, which came out sometime around '71. GLI mixers with crossfaders started being produced in 73... Flash didn't create the crossfaders, he had to make his own initially because he couldn't afford/access the pro equipment.
DJ Master D aka DJ Lance! Flowers is my all time favorite!!!!!
What information you know of Grand Master Flowers DJS techniques on turntables in 1970, 1971,and 1972 thanks
I'm assuming this is Master D.
@@rickjason1786 nah but I got much love and respect for the DJ’s that paved a way for us!!
By all means share what information you might add on The Grandmaster. Thanks for replying.
Like was Grandmaster DJ FLOWERS PLAY Two of the same record mixing them on the system two turntables.
Thank you for this... For every one that has risen to the top, there are hundreds - even thousands - that have tried but not succeeded or were just victims of their environment - happens too often in our neighborhoods. GM Flowers laid down a foundation - like many others, Disco King Mario, for one, that passed at a young age and didn't have the time to see their seeds grow into a forest of trees. Those that have flourished in the industry perhaps don't even know how they got where they are now - they just have to look back and thank these folks.
Grandmaster Flowers was mix two records in 1960.
More like 1969.
Sometimes Grandmaster DJ Flowers was using Three Turntables and other DJS Were too.
Disco have even started yet.
@@donaldmccall3968 Don disco started about 1970. In my opinion Freida Payne's " Band of Gold" the beginning of disco. Only difference was the use of 4/4 snare vs 4/4 bass. Pistol Allen on drums.
@@rickjason1786 Yep along with Flowers, Jonse David Mancuso Francis Grasso and Walter Gibbon etc.
This was very enlightening. Thank you for dropping this gem.
DJ flowers needs to be held higher on the DJ scale than kool herc who just copied off black Americans
Well Flowers is considered to be the GOAT!
YES!!! This is what I'm talking about! Is Brooklyn in the house?!! Without a doubt!!
Thank you for telling the TRUTH!
Brother Scott thanks for looking out for Grandmaster Flowers. Do you have any information on the Grand Master Flowers DJ Techniques like in 1970, 1971, 1972, God bless.
Really enjoying your videos Gregor. Keep up the great work ✌🏼
Thank you, I appreciate it. Been enjoying your mixes too!
@@GregorDWScott Thanks and much appreciated 😎
Amazing video ! Thankyou
You did good with this. I'm going to clean all this up in my own video.
Thanks Gregor. I had never heard any of the history before, but remember hearing a lot of DJs that groomed me if you call it that mentioning him. While I knew folks from the Bronx, other than hearing flash tapes. Most of my learning came from DJs from lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. Also, when it came to background a lot were Jamaican. It was all almost like a linage from a karate movie or something lol.
This man knows his craft
Great video! Let the truth be known.
Great video. He probably was forgotten because: a) He had a bad attitude and few people wanted to keep his name alive. b) He sadly got onto drugs and didn't do the best to improve nor keep himself alive. c) As the Bronx had thousands of Zulu Nation, and Manhattan had similar groups promoting it, doesn't seem that any organized group took on supporting GM Flowers, thus his legacy wasn't spread, but by a select handful of fans.
The bad attitude piece definitely cropped up in the research I did, seemed very much like an ego that just kept growing, sure people thought he was great, but he thought he was even better.
His situation was similar to another Unsung dj names King Disco Mario he was a member of The Black Spades in the Bronx ... its been said he was bigger then herc and African bambatta but they both surpass him because he was too into drugs so he died either in the 80s or before the 80s do a video on him ....there is alot of info Micheal Wayne talks about Mario
A few people have suggested looking into Mario a little more, and I ended up doing that towards the end of last year; th-cam.com/video/qlRG3_6DVJg/w-d-xo.html
Dude this is a great video much respect.
Good look on this.
I believe African Americans were using two turntables in the 1940, but Jimmy Savile a White American claimed that he was the first.
Jimmy Savile was british, also was a massive liar (among other things). But I know radio DJs were using two turntables pretty early on, so maybe that's what he was talking about?
peace... respect for your love of hip hop, i have sent you an email, hope to hear from you soon
African Americans Started Hip Hop.
African American started Hip Hop not Caribbean people, and not Latinos shut the doir.
African Americans Started Hip Hop NOT Caribbean people, and NOT Latinos shut that Idea Down !
African American Genre music Influenced Reggae Music does that mean African American Created Reggae Music no. But some of these caribbean people think they started Hip Hop, they are lying, Lairs, Lairs.
😂😂😂
What a joke !
And native brasilians did invent traditionnel chinese dance !
😁😁😁
Hip-Hop is worldwide multimixed, God invented it and every kind of people are just enjoying it.
PEACE.
BLACK PEOPLE started hip hop
Respect
Crazy to me you sound like Montcalm as i just read the story on the conquest of Oswego.
I was thinking before i watched this about how Hendricks left the US to play in England because of its the non bias. Then you mentioned Jimmy
Go to Dj Hits 22 , he have more suff on Flowers and stated all info how he's opening up for James Brown.
Seen him play with Pete at the Hotel St. George in the 70's.
I knew him personally!
Blend Master!
That was the day's l was DJ also l was sky-high disco the house dj for inter city in Brooklyn
Its funny that DJ Tyrone calls himself.....the Original Mixologist.....
when we all know who that is.
Grandmaster Flash
@@chilldaddy3663 Another rookie. Lol
Grandmaster is not Originate Mixologist
flash is not the originator Mixologist
African American DJs having been mix two records since the late 1950s.
Flowers was in David mancusos record pool too.
Are there any eyewitnesses to the story of Flowers playing at Yankee Stadium for James Brown? If true, did he have a set up on stage where he was visible with turntables, or was he behind the scenes playing over the PA system? I have folks that are doubting that he ever played for JB. I would certainly want to know what actually transpired?
That never happened.
Obviously he give the birth of mobile djs
What kind of tables are those behind you? I use the Numark N7 controller looks like those. And what vinyl do you blend? Do a session.
Mid-range Numark ones (tt-1000 maybe), with a djm-250. Vinyl is a lot of hip hop and reggae, digital is more of that plus afrobeats, dancehall and house. I might get to sharing a mix one of these days, more videos in the works before then though!
Can someone please tell me what he did that had to do with Hip-Hop..?
In the words of Fab Five Freddy, #1 'He inspired a lot of Kats, known as pioneers, to wanna be a Deejay.'
#2 AND he had an Emcee, whose name I can't recall right now.
#3 extended the part people liked to hear.
Remember Mario & Herc weren't exactly playing up to the standards of those who came after and in some cases, as well as those who were playing simultaneously, in the game BUT mobile, their systems, selections help contribute to the foundation of Hip Hop, which it wasn't called until about 1979 or 80.
People also don’t mention jazzy Jay enough
To Don McCall......On the F Train listening to Cameo's " It's Serious" a primetime joint at the Garage...... Larry Levan was almost unbeatable on that sound system but there was one person who could outplay Larry on his own sound system.........guess who, Don? Hehehehe.
❤
Man, I gotta give you your credit. You are doing what should have been done in magazines like “the source”, and “xxl”
Plus, you’re yt, it shouldn’t mean nothing but most yt people who speak on hip hop just repeat the misinformation of Afrika Bambatta and Krs-One
Appreciate you! 💯
That's very kind, thank you! I've been looking more into Bambaataa and it's tough because a lot of his stories don't match up, not with other accounts and sometimes not even with themselves.
What misinformation was Bambaata and KRS giving? Not refuting you, just curious
@@darrylhicks3947 hip hop having West Indian(Jamaican) origin
What does this guy know, he's trying to school me on hip hop 😂
He's doing research like everybody else..it lines up with what I've heard..what are you doing for dj culture?
True life facts
👍
Flower's and plumber was the best in the city
Very interesting peace on being the first mobile djs that play in clubs and park jams and playing more disco, but you never mention that he started hip hop
Yeah, I did kind of allude to it, mentioning how he's often left out of hip hop history because the "better" stories are with Herc, Flash etcetera, rather than with him. But then it definitely feels like he was too early to be a straight Hip Hop DJ
Yeah, he wasn't the being later on he got into hip hop
@@donaldmccall3968 Don ......Flowers get partial credit because he was the first to use a MC......afterall isn't that what hip-hop is? Dude I knew Flowers from Downstairs Records.
Flowers played on triple Thorens. Where do you think Larry Levan got it from.
@@rickjason1786 see he might've had the stereo sound system and opening up for James Brown back n 68 but, there weren't no such thang call hop hip or Disco music until the early 70s. See at that time he was playing straight up disco music. Then we all witness unfold In front of our eye's since the brith of Rock n Roll have token on known as Hip Hop. First started by Kool Herc he fouce portion of the record to emphasize the drum beat call it break and Flash with the quick theory techniques spinning back n frouth and marking the beat with a crayon. Grandwizard Theodore invented scratching know as shigi shigi between the breaks and, Bamtaataa help push hip hop to other borough
What the difference between disco records and break beats records.
The drums one direct 4-4 bass and the other is offset with other notes in space between the quarter notes..... breakbeat. As I said before the difference between Clyde Stubblefield and Earl Young.
I said this before.
@@rickjason1786 See break have heavily influenced on drums beats... Disco electronics beats
@@donaldmccall3968 Here we go again. Disco is based on Earl Young's drumming. How could it be electric if there a human drumming. You're talking about house and techno. They use drum machines. Like I said before you need to up your musical intelligence!
@@rickjason1786 Clyde Stubblefield Funky Dummer, is one of the first break beats records of all time first generation of rapper was simple other djs before Earl, 4.4 heavily drum beat on note between funk records.
3:40 I didn't even know there was a big African community in New York during the 60s and 70s
There wasn't really, mostly that developed through the 80s and later (still not huge though), but in sourcing this I saw a couple of explicit mentions about the African community in reference to Carnival. Maybe the sources were just mis-stating african american?
There’s a community in ny not large mostly spread out and as far as the West Indian day parade is concerned if they come it’s out of respect as spectators there not part of it they hold there own celebrations during there holidays
@@GregorDWScott it was a misquote I'm from NYC and I can tell you that Africans are a new addition to nyc.
African American (not African immigrants) and West Indians.
lots of myths and stories circulating. Not all correct. He wasn't arrogant, he was a perfectionist and he treated it as a craft, he didn't have a tone of respect for those who didn't put their 'time' in
Well main media on Television wikipedia's are saying are 3 people start hip Hop herc, bambaata, flash that is a big lie lie
Large big Lie, lies flash, herc,bambaata only these three started Hip Hop that a Big, Big lie
Only what those 3 done on the turntables count nobody else that a lie.
African Americans DJs Contribute a lit of techniques on the Turntables.
Wake African American some of these not all but the ones who are saying Some Caribbean people Hip Hop they are lying lying.
African American DJs Contributed a whole, Whole, Whole Lot to the Two Turntables System.
FBA 🇺🇸 again.
American music forms: Spirituals, Blues, Ragtime, Jazz, Country, Gospel, Bluegrass, Folk, Rock n Roll, Doo-Wop, Soul, Funk, Disco, Punk, House and of course Rap and Hip Hop---all enjoy well documented African American roots coupled with undeniable Black American influence---whether directly or indirectly..
Latinos -- Puerto Ricans particularly -- please explain how you co-created or co-invented yet another installment in the legacy of Black Musical expression known as Rap and Hip Hop, yet didn't co-create or co-invent any of the elements of the 14 or so African American music forms that preceeded it? Or why you were nowhere to be found and absent during the creative and inventive foundation outlining the forms of African American musical expression, brilliance and greatness throughout, or even prior to the previous 14 or so African American music forms that are mentioned above. Yet then, all of a sudden--out of nowhere, you folks come along and falsely claim latinos and/or puerto ricans co-created and co-invented Rap and Hip Hop 50/50 half n half (which is the evidence-free and utter nonsense being peddled by Dr. Derrick Colon, radical latino, Fat Joe and numerous other un-informed and envious latinos---claims latinos never mentioned, verbalized or asserted during its inception in the early 1970's)---latinos claims of "50/50--half & half co-creation and co-invention just don't add up---it makes no sense and are increasingly coming under heavy scrutiny which is leading to these claims being easily debunked--widespread. Nice try though latinos and puerto ricans.
Make it make sense Latinos
why ia grandmaster flowers considered one of the founding fathers of hip hop if he didn't play hip hop?
Because he's the first to play with a MC. A lot of the DJ techniques used by Flash and Caz came from Flowers. They all looked up to Flowers. Point Blank!
Those "hip-hop" records that Herc got credit for came from Flowers e.g. "The Mexican" or Manu Dibango's "New Bell" etc. Flowers played as much funk as disco. Who do you think broke Brass Construction......... Flowers and Hollywood.
what do you mean by those hip hoç
p record that came from flowers? and what do you mean by broke brass construction@@rickjason1786
@@guillermogutierrez3315 Grandmaster Flowers, DJ Hollywood etc als. were the first to play Brass Construction records. "Broke" means in DJ talk you played those records first, created publicity for......
@@guillermogutierrez3315 Those hip-hop means offset 4/4 bass with eighth or sixteenth notes in space between the quarter notes. AKA breakbeats.
I get the impression you're not a DJ or musician or musicologist.
We need to stop letting white folks tell Black history because they'll say whatever this white dude is just saying anything Caribbeans had no influence or impact on hip-hop culture hip-hop was already around an cemented before any Caribbeans thought about trying to emulate Black culture an for the record all Cool Herc did was play some records at a house party
You said why dont we talk about him more..? Cause he didn't do shit but press play.
Flowers was at the forefront of the mobile DJ movement, and was highly respected by every active DJ in the late 60s early 70s in New York. So when DJ history mentions the likes of Francis Grosso or DJ Hollywood, and Flowers gets a footnote if that, I think he's owed more in the telling of the story. One of the biggest and best DJs of the 70s, a pioneer of mobile DJing, and all he did was press play?
@@GregorDWScott Yes..! most Dj's did nothing but press play. And keep in mind, these Dj's were doing gigs and working for clubs. They would've been fired for experimenting. Only Dj's who could afford to do so where those throwing their own parties --> H E R C
Only reason these other Dj's are now being mentioned is because African Americans get self esteem from thinking they created hip-hop and they want to take credit away from Dj Herc (since he's Jamaican). There are people called "foundational black Americans" who are currently editing and black washing history in their favour.
@@Whatever-u5wExactly. Much respect to Flowers who helped lay the foundation for mobile djs. But there is now a deliberate attempt to conflate disco with hip hop.
Nope. The DJ no one knows. Is DJ KID NICE. THE best DJ. Who battle grand master flash in 1980. CAMELOT INN. RT 9. Poughkeepsie NY. THE ARCHITECT of the BLEND'S. With patterns unlike nobody else. Facts. DJ KID NICE. Newburgh NY
Comparing grandmaster flowers to Kool Herc or flash is like trying to compare whiskey to whine both alcohol but two totally different drinks He had his crowd and his followers and his turntable concept but flash Herc and Bambaataa had the sound that moved us he may not be around to speak for himself but his music is around and If you gave one of his tapes to a 17 year old b-boy in 1977 which what I was I’d tell you thanks but no thanks he had his crowd and his followers that wanted that kind of sound but stop trying to make him someone he was not
For sure, his style was different, but as far as the development of DJing as an art, he was well ahead of a lot of DJs at the time, and definitely pushed the form forwards.
I guess the same goes for kool herc and Dj Flash, they wasn’t the inventors of hip hop
He leaves out Jeff and Cash as far as hip hop innovation. The transform
Shy "arrogant" perfectionist who opens up to specific people sounds like he was neurodiverse like most people think Grandmaster Flash is. The arrogance could just be poor social skills/ paranoia of being taken advantage of. But it's just a theory
How does this guy leave out Jazzy Jeff and Dj Cash Money. And other pioneer Djs from Philly
As in Jazzy Jeff and Cash Money who started DJing some 10+ years after Flowers? I 100% want to dig more into Philly music, and the influence it's had, but here I wanted to look much earlier in the history.
go watch the fresco & miz doc, it will be OK.
Disco DJ not Hip Hop
When he started disco didn't really exist, but yeah definitely not a hip hop DJ. A lot of what he pioneered technologically was adopted by DJs across the spectrum though
Hip-hop came from disco as well as funk. It's funny that the hip-hop people don't want to recognize disco as one of the roots of hip-hop.
Disco is one of the foundation of hip-hop as well as Funk, r&b and soul
@@yaxjvn See Flowers was selective dj when disco wasn't excited yet, yeah he open up for James Brown back n 69 but toward the 70s was approaching that when he started playing more disco music.
@@donaldmccall3968 disco was exited in that time how do you think Kool Herc learn how to spin lol
Sorry but we didn’t like the sound his voice or his record choice let me put it like this you couldn’t wear sneakers at some of places he played we’re talking about a totally different culture
White folks speaking on Black hip-hop culture is a no go for me honestly he said Cool Herc paved the way for hip-hop an that's a damn lie Black Americans were already DJ'n before Herc even came to America Black Americans were rapping in the early 60s "Pig Meat" so this white boy needs to get his story str8 before speaking our history! Black Americans are the culture of the whole earth never forget that!
Were you alive in the and in your 20s in the 60s? If so, seek help 80 year old.
I’m white folk and I diss you in every elements of Hip-Hop culture. (Hip-Hop raised me and I have love and respect for my roots)
Next.
All u are saying isn't true.