One of the first promoters of hip-hop on the West Coast, Rodger “Uncle Jamm” Clayton died Sunday of a heart attack.
Clayton played a principal role in the introduction of hip-hop in Cali by throwing parties that attracted droves of hip-hop heads, packing venues to their limit.
Before email blasts, Clayton was a club owners dream for his ability to draw huge crowds by simply using word of mouth and elementary two-tone fliers.
His crew hip-hop crew, Uncle Jamm’s Army helped springboard the careers of Ice T, Egyptian Lover, DJ Pooh and many others.
LA radio programmer Greg Mack offered his condolences for the left coast vet in a statement, saying,
“Rodger Clayton, leader of Uncle Jamm’s Army, was one of the most influential people on the west coast when it comes to the hip hop movement… I’m proud to say that he and I had many talks over the last few years regarding all that had happened in his life and mine. We talked about a lot of things, and more importantly, we found out how much respect we did have for each other. He and I also would comment on how “little” documentation there has been of the West Coasts’ rap history, we both felt it inadequate. And I still do. I will miss him.”
