`INDEX`

Page references in italics indicate a figure.

Adler, Bill, 65, 70, 166–167, 194
African Americans: arts movements, 11, 212, 213; in California, 7, 8; celebrities, 14; civil rights, 85, 256; clashes with Korean diaspora, 246; enterprise, 4–5, 6; historiography, 268n13; Los Angeles population, 2, 3–4, 5, 7, 268n13; middle class, 8, 14; migration, 1–2, 7, 9; racially motivated killings of, 313n1; in state politics, 13; unemployment and poverty, 13, 28–29; view of the LAPD, 40. See also black youths
Afrika Bambaataa (Lance Taylor), 74, 75, 76, 100, 171, 183
Afrika Islam (Charles Glenn), 73, 81
Agression (music group), 67
Ahlerich, Milt, 224, 226
Allen, Steve, 180
“Alright” (song), 256, 257
American Bandstand (television program), 180
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), 27, 42, 55, 234, 237
American Vice (television program), 210
America’s Most Wanted (television program), 210
A&M Records, 113
Arabian Prince (Kim Nazel), 116, 163
Arista Records, 113
Armstrong, Louis, 5
Artists United Against Apartheid, 285n98
Assassin (Jeffrey Campbell), 257
Atlantic Records, 113, 175–176

Bailey, Brooke, 189
Baker, Chris, 64
Barnes, Denise “Dee,” 227
Barnes, Jimel, 39
Bascue, James, 20
Basie, Count, 5
“Batterram” (song): debut, 18; influence, 61; lyrics, 19, 23, 24, 56, 59–60, 134; popularity, 56, 58, 59, 93, 213; production, 19, 55–56, 58, 133–134, 218; promotion, 81
battering ram vehicle. See V-100 armored vehicle
Beastie Boys (music group), 104, 108, 126, 131
Beavers, George, 8
Biden, Joe, 236
Big Boi (Antwan Patton), 203
Billboard Magazine, 67, 112, 113, 166, 167, 171, 175, 297n17
Birks, Dania “Baby-D,” 174
Blackburn, Dan, 242, 243
Black Entertainment Television, 187
Black Flag (music group), 67, 68, 74
“Black Korea” (song), 240, 241
#BlackLivesMatter movement, 256
Black Panther Party, 28, 29, 50, 81, 165
Black Radio Exclusive (magazine), 169
Black Sabbath (music group), 68
Black Thought (Tariq Trotter), 215
black youths: attitude to politics, 226; joblessness, 13; marginalization, 61; mentality, 1; musical tastes, 18; older generation’s views of, 14–15; police abuse, 21, 47–48
Blondie (Debbie Harry), 74, 185
Bloods street gang, 19–20, 21, 39, 89
Blow, Kurtis, 97–98, 128, 185, 290n38
Blue, Hazel, 33, 34
Blue Records. See Dootone Records
blues music, 16, 264–265
Bobcat (Bobby Ervin), 78
Bolton, Glen. See Daddy-O
Boogie Down Productions (music group), 129, 164, 214
Bowie, David, 187
Boyz N the Hood (film), 240, 242, 247
“The Boyz-N-The Hood” (song): commercial success, 135–136, 175–176; impact on listeners, 137; KDAY radio debut, 135; label, 124; lyrics, 125–126; popularity, 153, 162, 218; production, 125, 126, 133, 134, 136, 140–141; promotion, 135, 137, 140; sources, 126; target audience, 135
Bradley, Tom: concern about choke hold deaths, 50; criticism of, 41, 42; historic election of, 13; during 1992 Los Angeles riots, 243; police spying on, 43; public statement on law enforcement, 41; response to Rodney King beating, 236; support of Daryl Gates, 21; on urban terrorism, 22
Brathwaite, Fred. See Fab 5 Freddy
breakdancing, 72, 73, 94
Breakin’ ’n’ Enterin’ (film), 72–73, 74–75, 114
Broadus, Calvin, Jr. See Snoop Dogg
Broussard, Greg. See Egyptian Lover
Brown, James, 132, 185
Brown, Jerry, 43
Brown, Rose, 245
Buckley, Steve, 77
Burns, Juana “MC J.B.,” 174
Bush, George H. W., 146, 227

Cadet Records, 113–114
California: black youth perception of, 8; car culture, 127, 130, 134, 135, 136, 198, 203, 213, 262; defense industry, 7–8; economic boom, 7; low income neighborhoods, 86; media image, 200–201; property tax increase, 86; record companies, 113; spending on state corrections, 141; and World War II, 7–8
California Governor’s Commission on the Los Angeles Riots, 10
California Music Channel, 190
California Raisins, The (animated music group), 173, 177, 199
Campaign for a Citizens’ Police Review Board (CCPRB), 42–43
Campbell, Luther, 247
“Can I Live” (song), 257
Capitol Records, 77, 113, 164, 165, 182, 206
Carew, Topper, 72, 75, 76, 114
Carraby, Antoine. See Yella
Carson, Johnny, 185, 189
Carter, Jeannie, 158
Carter, Shawn. See Jay-Z
Central Park Five, 224
Cerami, Mark, 172, 177, 178, 179
Chancler, Leon, 77
Charles, Ray, 185
Chronic, The (album): commercial success, 253; critical-acclaim, 260; debut, 250; influence, 253–254; Platinum certificate, 253; production, 252–253
Chuck D (Carlton Ridenhour), 129, 194
Clark, Dick, 180
Clayton, Adrienne, 84
Clayton, Rodger: career, 78–79; defense of rap music, 103; as founder of Uncle Jamm’s Army, 281n39; on gangs, 87–88; Greg Mack’s relations with, 83; interviews, 103; on mobile DJs, 282n52; mobile party business, 80, 84, 87, 90; performance strategies, 90; photo, 78; on Run-DMC performance, 93
Club Lingerie (nightclub), 74, 76, 88
Coalition Against Police Abuse (CAPA): advocacy for victims of police abuse, 50–51; data collection on control holds, 49; formation, 29; founders, 28, 147; investigation of Love’s shooting, 35, 37; mission, 29, 31; pressure on law enforcement, 30–31, 32, 42, 49–50
Coates, Ta-Nehisi, 259
Cochran, Johnnie, 26–27
Cole, Natalie, 185
Colors (film): authenticity, 149–150, 151; black gangster narratives, 154; box-office performance, 149, 150, 154; cast members, 151; criticism, 149, 157, 201; depiction of gang crisis, 153, 294n90; production, 147–148; protagonists, 150–151, 201; reception, 151–152; soundtrack, 154
“Colors” (song), 168–169
Coming to America (film), 169, 175
Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (CRASH), 48, 148, 150
Community Youth Gang Services Project, 105
Compton: anti-gang campaign, 45, 141; black community, 8; Music Center, 12; as promised-land community, 8, 9; Rapfest of 1990, 231; Skateland USA, 83, 89, 90, 122
Concepcion, Michael, 198
Conyers, John, 238
Cops (television program), 210
Cornelius, Don, 180, 185
Cosby, Bill, 14
crack cocaine, 14, 19, 71, 104, 129, 130, 221, 222, 264. See also rock cocaine
crime: black juvenile, 44–45; city war against, 44, 52; “drive-by” shootings, 48; gang-related, 49, 146, 210–211; on public transit, 45–46
Criminal Minded (album), 214
Crips street gang, 19–20, 21, 61, 88–89, 91, 132, 142, 144, 148
Crisis, The (journal), 2, 6
“Crossover” (song), 261
Cru In Action (music group), 122–123
Cunningham, David, 30
Cunningham, Noel, 51
Cureton, Steven, 47
Curry, Tracy. See The D.O.C.
Cypress Hill (music group), x, 155, 214, 248

Daddy-O (Glen Bolton), 205, 214
Davis, Darryl “Lyrrad,” 124, 125
Davis, Dawn, 235
Davis, Edward, 31
Davis, Randy, 232
“Day of Peace” broadcast (KDAY), 105, 106, 107, 109
Death Certificate (album), 240–242, 262
Def Jam Recordings, 65, 83, 99, 126, 165, 178, 199, 204–205, 215
Demme, Ted, 191, 192, 193, 194
Denny, Reginald, 246
Deukmejian, George, 144
DiMartino, Dave, 174
Divine Sounds (music group), 128
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (music group), 168, 204, 215
DJ Quik (David Blake), x, 264
DJs: emergent names, 81; influence of, 83; nightclub, 76, 93. See also mobile DJs
DMC (Darryl McDaniels), 93, 95
Doctor Dré (Andre Brown): on “Fuck tha Police,” 218; host of Yo! MTV Raps, 194, 195
Dooto Music Center, 12, 15
Dootone Records, 11–12
Dougherty, Pete, 191, 193
Drath, Steve, 172
Dr. Dre (Andre Young): career, 82, 83–84, 122; lawsuit against, 227; on NWA group, 154–155, 212, 226, 262; production and distribution of “The Boyz-N-The Hood,” 126, 135, 136; professional connections, 121, 122, 123; relations with Eric Wright, 83–84, 120, 124; reputation, 121–122; on Rodney King beating, 239; Ruthless Records and, 122, 124; sources of inspiration, 164; on street rap, 134; with World Class Wreckin’ Cru, 82, 122. See also Chronic, The (Dr. Dre album)
Du, Soon Ja, 241, 242, 246
Du Bois, W. E. B., 2–3, 4, 5, 6, 251
Duckworth, Kendrick. See Kendrick Lamar
Dunbar Hotel, 5
Duren, Kwaku, 28
Duvall, Robert, 148
Dyson, Michael Eric, 259

Eazy-E (Eric Wright): appearance on the Top Pop Album chart, 202; background, 117–118; “The Boyz-N-The Hood,” 124, 125, 136, 140–141; career in music sales, 118; creator of Ruthless Records, 121–122, 141, 156, 177; Eazy-Duz-It album, 176, 199; friendship with Steve Yano, 118, 119–120; on inspiration of rap music, 238–239; mobile dance business, 120; on NWA group, 153, 155, 230; as party promoter, 120; photo, 198; professional partnerships, 121, 124, 179, 199; promotion of J.J. Fad, 174, 175, 176; on record making motivation, 265; records promotion, 135; at Republican fundraiser, 227; stage name, 83, 125
Ebersol, Dick, 189
Economist, The (magazine), 42
Ed Lover (James Roberts), 194, 195
Edmonds, Jefferson, 3
Edwards, Don, 236
“Egypt, Egypt” (song), 114, 115
Egyptian Empire Records, 116, 176
Egyptian Lover (Greg Broussard): in Breakin’ ’n’ Enterin’, 114; career, 114; exposure on radio, 114, 115; on gang economy, 90; on mobile dance parties, 87; partnership with Macola, 114–115, 116; photo, 78; songs, 114, 115
electro music, 17, 77, 80, 88, 93, 94, 121–122, 126–127, 134, 169, 174–175. See also freestyle music
Ellington, Duke, 5
Epic Records, 122–123
EPMD (music group), 261
Eric B. (Eric Barrier), 129
“Eric B. Is President” (song), 129
Esquire (magazine), 36
Evans, Barry, 29
Eve After Dark (nightclub), 82, 83
Everett, Greg “G-Bone,” 80–81

Fab 5 Freddy (Fred Brathwaite): career, 74, 302n92; friends, 191; host of Yo! MTV Raps, 193, 194–195, 202, 203, 210; music industry ties, 196; photo, 198; postmodernist views, 196
Farrakhan, Louis, 251
FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation): reality rap as target of, 207, 208, 224–225, 226–227
Felker, Martin, 221
Fitzgerald, Ella, 5
Flaherty, Michael, 222
“Flash Light” (song), 90
Flowers, Hildebrandt, 158
Franklin, Michelle “Sassy C,” 174
Fraternal Order of Police, 208, 219
freebase cocaine. See crack cocaine; rock cocaine
Freese, Louis “B-Real,” 214
freestyle music, 17, 18, 58, 93, 169. See also electro music
Friday Night Videos (television program), 188, 189, 192
Friedland, Cynthia, 190
Friedman, Steve, 235
“Fuck tha Police” (song): audience, 213, 218; controversy over, 208; criticism of, 233; fictional courtroom drama, 208–209, 227; language, 219; lyrics, 208, 209; media reviews, 209; 1992 Los Angeles riots and, 246; police reaction to, 219–220; popularity, 210, 213–214, 217–218; production, 218; promotion, 217; release, 208; video, 227
Funkadelic (music group), 80, 126, 281n39
funk music, 80, 126, 127, 163, 252–253
Funky 4 + 1 More (music group), 94, 185

gangs: city war against, 19, 22, 48–49, 105–106, 108–109; membership growth, 46, 47; mobile dances and, 88, 91–92; in skating rinks, 89; social impact, 20–21; violence, 46, 64, 89, 142–143, 149–150; at Whodini’s performance, 63–64; youth associated with, 47, 87
“Gangsta Gangsta” (song), 257
gangsta rap, xi, 16, 110, 130, 203, 204, 219, 230, 233, 256, 266. See also reality rap
“Gangster Boogie” (song), 131
gang sweeps, 87, 157, 211
Gang Violence Suppression Program, 46
Garbedian, John, 190
Garland, Les, 187
Gates, Daryl: anti-gang initiatives, 53, 143, 152; approval of use of battering ram, 24, 145, 211; career, 20–21, 30; on Colors film, 152; criticism, 35, 36, 41; leadership review, 236; “Operation Hammer,” 144, 157–158; on police approval polls, 274n58; on police infiltration of CCPRB, 42–43; as political player, 31; popular support, 55, 144, 146; public relations, 33, 51–52; racial views, 50; on raids of rock houses, 23; on Rodney King’s beating, 236; suspension, 50; on urban crime, 43
Gates, Henry Louis, Jr., 228
George, Nelson, 128, 130, 139, 184
Geto Boys (music group), 133
“Get the Fist” (song), 248–249
Ghetto Boys. See Geto Boys
Glenn, Charles. See Afrika Islam
Glove, The (Chris Taylor), 73, 88
“Goin’ Back to Cali” (song), 168
Gold, Jonathan, 183, 209, 210
Goldstein, Patrick, 140
Gonzalez, Paul, 106
Good Life Cafe, x–xi
Gore, Tipper, 68, 70
graffiti, 72, 73, 158, 246, 280n26
Grammy Awards, 256–258
Grandmaster Caz (Curtis Fisher), 98
Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five (music group), 99, 183
Griffin, William “Rakim,” 129

Habib, Gregory, 222
Habib, Martin, 222
Hahn, Kenneth, 143
Hamilton, Ann, 223
hardcore rap, 249–250
Harlins, Latasha, 240, 241, 246
Harry, Debbie. See Blondie
Hawkins, Marquette “Cli-N-Tel,” 82
heavy metal, 68, 69, 101, 140
Heller, Jerry, 137, 139, 164, 175–177, 178–179, 206, 261
Hen Gee (Henry Garcia), 88
Herzog, Doug, 195
hip-hop culture, 72–75, 76, 85, 94, 182–183, 193, 196, 203, 233
hip-hop music. See rap music
Holiday, Billie, 5
Holliday, George, 235, 239
“Holliday tape,” 235, 238, 239
Hopper, Dennis, 147–148, 149, 150, 151, 152, 154
Hopson, Edward, 33, 34, 35
Hot Rocks (television program), 188
Houston, Whitney, 14
Howard, Todd. See Toddy Tee
Hudson, Paul, 41
Huggins, Ericka, 29–30
Hughes, Langston, 5
Hutchins, Jalil, 62

“I Can’t Live Without My Radio” (song), 129
Ice Cube (O’Shea Jackson): accusation of racism, 241; assessment of Colors film, 151–152, 201; on back youths and politics, 226; “Black Korea,” 240–241; “The Boyz-N-The Hood,” 125, 134, 136; Death Certificate album, 240; encounter with police abuse, 40; on Eric Wright, 120, 123; on “Fuck tha Police” record, 208; on gang crisis, 91, 142, 143; on gangsta rap, 266; interviews, 205, 210, 241–242, 262; on Rodney King beating, 239; Kru-Cut’s collaboration with, 122–123; on media image of California, 200–201; member of NWA, 153, 154, 157, 158, 200, 210, 212, 226, 264; music career, 262–263; “No Vaseline,” 240; on police brutality, 158, 161; on power of profane language, 156; The Predator, 250–252, 260; promotion of St. Ides beer brand, 241; prophesy about 1992 riot, 247–248; Ruthless Records’ collaboration with, 123; Straight Outta Compton album, 163, 217; “Straight Outta Compton” video, 160, 161–162; on Yo! MTV Raps show, 193
Ice-T (Tracy Marrow): acting career, 72, 73, 75; audience, 132; background, 73; Colors soundtrack, 154, 168–169, 216; friends, 91; Home Invasion album, 249; on Los Angeles riots, 247; radio airplay, 168, 169; on rap music, 127, 249; Rhyme Pays soundtrack, 215, 216; on Schoolly D’s “P.S.K.,” 131–132; “6 in the Mornin’,” 132–133
“I’m a Ho” (song), 62, 126, 134
Iovine, Jimmy, 261
“It’s Like That” (song), 92, 97, 99, 128
Ivory, Gerald, 146
Ivory, Steve, 139–140

Jackson, Jesse, 146, 236, 282n41
Jackson, Michael, 14, 113, 122, 187, 229
Jackson, O’Shea. See Ice Cube
Jackson 5ive, The (television program), 185
James, Rick, 186, 187
Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell), 64, 65, 93, 102–103, 106
Jay-Z (Shawn Carter), 96, 130, 214–215, 257
Jeffersons, The (television program), 97
J.J. Fad (music group): background, 137; commercial success, 204; media coverage, 175; popularity, 175; promotion of, 174, 175, 176; radio airplay, 169; style, 169; “Supersonic” album, 169, 175; vocalists, 169, 174
Joel, Billy, 182
Johnson, Linda, 25, 26
Johnson, Robert, 192
Jones, Quincy, 106
Jordanov, Alex, 73, 74, 81–82, 88
Joseph, Jeffrey, Sr., 27
Judas Priest (music group), 68
Julio G (Julio Gonzalez), 136

KDAY (radio station): audience, 18; “The Boyz-N-The Hood” debut on, 125, 133, 135; hip-hop patronage, 193; history, 270n2; popularity, 17; programming, 18, 170; promotion of local artists, 114, 140
Kelley, Robin D. G., 59
Kendrick Lamar (Kendrick Duckworth): “Alright,” 256, 257; background, 259; “The Blacker the Berry,” 256, 257; Grammy performance, 256–258, 259–260; To Pimp a Butterfly, 256; Pulitzer Prize, 260
King, Martin Luther, Jr., 8, 27, 30, 242
King, Rodney, 207, 227. See also Rodney King beating
King Tee (Roger McBride), 217, 248–249
Koch, Ed, 223
Kool G. Rap (Nathaniel Wilson), 129
Kraftwerk (music group), 80, 114, 126
KRS-One (Lawrence Parker), 129
Kru-Cut Records, 121, 122–123
K-Tel (Kives Television), 172, 173
Ku Klux Klan, 1, 251
Kurtis Blow (Kurtis Walker), 97, 128, 185, 290n38
Kurupt (Ricardo Brown), 253, 254
Kweli, Talib, 254

Lack, John, 181
LA Weekly, 82, 147, 205, 209–210
Lee, Craig, 291n51
Lee, Robert, 39, 40, 61
Lee, Spike, 228
Leland, John, 95, 96
Levin, Harvey, 243
Liberator (newspaper), 3
Lindsay, John, 274n63
Listing of Physical Attacks on RTD Buses report, 275n73
LL Cool J (James Smith), 129, 166, 168, 183, 202, 215
Loder, Kurt, 263
Lomax, Melanie, 237
Long Beach Arena: Ozzy Osbourne concert, 69; prohibitive booking policy, 104; rap riot, 62–71, 101–102, 138–139; Run-DMC concert, 62–66, 110–111
Lonzo (Alonzo Williams), 15, 81, 82, 88, 121, 123, 137
Los Angeles: African-American population, 2, 3–4, 5, 7, 268n13; black-owned event spaces, 5, 12; as black promised land, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 14, 259, 268n13; boosterism, 2; citizen groups, 143; dance culture, 80; districts, 4; ethnic diversity, 4, 85; gang crisis, 20, 21, 141–143, 146, 210–212, 294n90; homicides, 20; as La-La Land, 1–2, 16, 73, 74, 75, 139, 141, 162, 201; as migrant destination, 1–2, 4, 7; music industry, 5, 113; nightclubs, 77; on postcard, 3; racial tensions, 7–8, 28, 246; Raiders, 202, 264; rap culture, 72–73, 74, 84–85, 127–128, 137–138, 139; record labels based in, 121; riots in 1992, 16, 242–246, 250; substance abuse, 14, 19–20; tax revolt, 86; white neighborhoods, 8; youth culture, 72
Los Angeles City Charter, 31
Los Angeles Herald-Examiner, 36
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD): aggressive policing, 29, 37–38, 51–52, 53, 61, 145–146, 212; anti-gang programs, 53, 144–146, 152; approval polls, 274n58; black community and, 9, 49, 52–53, 58–59; choke holds practice, 49–50; Community Resources Against Street Hoodlums (CRASH), 48, 148, 150; Dalton Raids, 158; directive about misconduct, 29–30; drug raids, 22–23, 24, 27; gang sweeps, 157, 158; lawsuit against, 26–27, 30, 31; outreach programs, 44; Pacoima house raid, 25–26, 51; patrol outside the Palladium in Hollywood, 68; popular support, 43–44; power, 36, 60–61; protest march in front of headquarters of, 236; Public Disorder Intelligence Division, 43; public perception of, 40–41, 49, 61, 236–237; public relations, 51; racial biases, 38–40, 236; Rodney King beating, 234–237; spying on city officials, 43; SWAT teams, 23, 25, 56, 145; training bulletins, 32; white supremacists and, 28
Los Angeles riots (1992), 16, 242–246, 250
Los Angeles Sentinel, 12, 30, 38, 44, 48, 49, 52, 53, 54, 143, 149, 233
Los Angeles Summer Olympics, 20
Los Angeles Times, 67, 84, 131, 145, 155, 167, 260, 274n58
Lost Cause (music group), 67
Louis, Joe, 5
Love, Eula: media coverage of death of, 36–37; police confrontation with, 32–33, 34; public outrage about shooting of, 34–35, 36, 41
Luke Skyywalker Records, 171
Luv, Mark, 87, 92
Lynch, Monica, 171, 193
Lynch, Tom, 191, 192

MacArthur Park, 3
Mack, Greg (Gregory Macmillan): career, 17–18, 19, 82, 83; on Long Beach Arena concert, 110–111; music programming, 58, 79, 125, 135, 170; promotion of Egyptian Lover’s songs, 114; on rap music, 156; relations with Clayton, 83
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (music group), 258
Macmillan, Don, 113, 114–116
MacMillan, Greg. See Mack, Greg (Gregory Macmillan)
Macola Record Company: customers, 116; distribution service, 115; opening, 113–114; partnership with Egyptian Lover, 114–115, 116; promotion of young performers, 115–116; record-making business, 112, 114, 115–117; supporters, 116
Malcolm X (Malcolm Little), 30, 251
Malone, Lester, 78, 80
Marrow, Tracy. See Ice-T
Martin, Gid, 78
Martinez, Al, 74
Masters, Lee, 194, 195
McBride, Wes, 149
McDaniels, Darryl. See DMC (Darryl McDaniels)
MC Eiht (Aaron Tyler), x, 59, 248, 249, 264
MC Hammer (Stanley Burrell), 210, 216, 261
McKnight, John, 37, 38
MC Ren (Lorenzo Patterson): on “Fuck tha Police,” 218; on Los Angeles rappers, 226; lyrics, 263; NWA group, 153; photo, 198; on record making motivation, 262; on Rodney King uprising, 248; Straight Outta Compton, 159, 163, 208, 213; street tapes, 121
McSweeny, Michael, 104
Meet the Press (television program), 9
Meili, Patricia, 224
Melle Mel (Melvin Glover), 127, 128, 133
Melody Maker (magazine), 71, 99, 102, 154, 157, 158, 161, 205, 217
Merriweather, Milton M., 35
“Message, The” (song), 127–128, 129, 183
Metallica (music group), 69
Miami Vice (television program), 190
Midnight Star (music group), 79, 113, 282n41
Mieses, Stanley, 174
Mincey, James, Jr., 50
“Miuzi Weighs a Ton” (song), 129
Mixmaster Spade (Frank Williams), 56–57, 81, 90–91, 110
mix tapes. See street tapes
Mizell, Jason. See Jam Master Jay
mobile dance parties: as alternative to nightclub bookings, 77; black youths and, 92, 133; gang participation in, 87–92; partygoers, 84, 87–88, 92; venues, 79; violence inside, 89–91
mobile DJs: community service and, 81; entrepreneurship, 56, 77–78; influence of, 77–78, 92, 126, 282n52; Knights of the Turntables, 80; LSD, 79, 80; Mack Attack Mixmasters, 93; Mixmaster Spade, 81; Music Masters, 80; Russell Simmons view of, 92; as top-billed acts, 77; Ultrawave Productions, 80–81; Uncle Jamm’s Army, 78–81, 83, 87–88, 90
Moore, Pat, 230, 231
Moore, Rudy Ray “Dolemite,” 156
Morris Day and the Time (music group), 80
Motown 25 (television program), 185
Mr. No Good (George Hatchet), 78
MTV (television channel): audience, 181, 189; ban of NWA’s music video, 157, 161, 204; business model, 180–181, 197; censorship, 162, 204; conservatism, 184, 191; criticism, 204–205; discriminatory practices, 186–187; launch, 180; marketing, 182; rap music on, 191–193; shows, 181; Yo! MTV Raps, 193–196
Muffla (Dwayne Simon), 78
Muggerud, Lawrence “DJ Muggs,” 155
Muhammad Speaks (newspaper), 27–28
Mullen, Brendan, 74
Murphy, Eddie, 99, 156, 228
music videos: early hip-hop, 182–183; early reactions to, 182; as promotional tools, 180–182; trend in television programming, 187–191, 206
Myka 9 (Michael Troy), 89
“My 9mm Goes Bang” (song), 129

Nate Dogg (Nathaniel Hale), 253
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), 2, 5, 27, 35, 41, 42, 212, 234, 237
National Human Rights Coalition (NHRC), 35
Newsweek (magazine), 10, 108, 152, 162, 244
New York: influence on Los Angeles rap, 72, 73–74, 75–76, 132; monopoly on hip-hop music, 65, 72, 74, 98, 110, 116, 137, 139, 196; nightclubs, 74, 76–77, 82, 94, 98; police, 223, 224, 274n63
New York Hot Tracks (television program), 189–190, 192–193
New York Police Department (NYPD), 223, 224, 274n63
New York Times, 149, 156, 190, 195, 228
nightclubs, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 82, 83, 88
Night Flight (television program), 187, 190
Night Tracks (television program), 191, 192
NWA (music group): audience, 178; boycott of music and events of, 219–220, 226; commercial success, 204, 229–230, 232, 260–261; controversy over name, 200; creation, 153; criticism, 233–234; cultural influence, 214–215, 230, 232; debut album, 153–154, 155; Detroit concert, 220; dissolution, 228; Efil4zaggin, 229–230, 232; FBI attention to, 208, 224–225, 226–227; first music video, 157; free speech debate, 205, 231; “Gangsta Gangsta” single, 257; independent status, 155–156; interviews, 209–210; marketing strategy, 162, 197, 201, 206–207; members, 153; misogyny, 229, 230; music style, 156, 178, 212, 262–264; national tour, 222; 100 Miles and Runnin’, 227; popularity, 205, 220–221, 227, 228, 231, 232; promotion, 165, 179, 229; publicity, 155, 162–163, 204, 205–206, 227, 228; reputation, 155, 178, 212; showcase in Washington, DC, 222–223; street credibility, 203, 210; Toledo appearance, 221; on Village Voice cover, 225; on Yo! MTV Raps show, 201, 202–204. See also “Fuck tha Police” (song); Straight Outta Compton (album); “Straight Outta Compton” (video)

O’Callaghan, Lloyd, 33, 35
O’Connor, Len, 9
Operation Hammer: criticism, 147; gang sweeps, 157–158; launch, 144–145; media coverage, 152; public support, 146; scale, 145–146
Operation Safe Streets, 148
“Organizing Against Police Brutality” event, 29
Osbourne, Ozzy, 68, 69
Otis, Johnny, 1, 14
Owen, Frank, 66

Palace (nightclub), 88
Pardee, Rudy, 140
Pareles, Jon, 190, 228
“Parents Just Don’t Understand” (song), 168
Parents Music Resource Center, 68, 208, 230
Parker, William, 9, 27, 31, 44
Parr, Russ, 58
Patterson, Jack, 18, 105, 170
Patterson, Lorenzo. See MC Ren
Paul, Cameron, 174
Penguins (music group), 12
Penn, Sean, 148
Philibosian, Robert, 20
Phillips, Johnny, 137
Phillips, Linda, 244
Pittman, Bob, 186
police brutality, 222, 223, 224, 227, 234–235
Predator, The (album), 250–252
Prince (Prince Rogers Nelson), 14, 80, 113, 114, 126, 184, 187
Priority Records: business model, 173, 179; creation, 171, 172; featured in music magazines, 174, 202; hip-hop tapes, 172–173, 178; marketing, 173–174; partnership with NWA and Eazy-E, 178, 179, 199, 229; promotion of the California Raisins, 173–174, 177; resentment of MTV for censorship, 204–206; sales, 173
Profile Records, 76, 171, 178
Pryor, Richard, 156
“P.S.K.—What Does It Mean?” (song), 131, 132
Public Enemy (music group), 129, 215, 241
Pump It Up! (television program), 200, 227
punk rock, 66–69, 101, 127, 138, 140

radio: black, 17–18, 168–169; as inspiration for MTV, 180–181, 183–184, 185; rap and, 140, 165, 166–167, 168, 170, 183, 190; stations, 166, 167–168, 170, 190. See also KDAY
Radio, The (nightclub), 72, 73, 74–75, 76–77, 81–82, 88
Radio 1990 (television program), 187
Rainbo Records, 114
rap music: artistic diversity, 215–216; association with violence, 66, 71; audience, 172, 184, 195–196; Billboard charts, 215, 216; commercial success, 133, 166, 167, 193, 265–266; geographic representation, 110; historical evolution, 65, 94, 112, 131, 179, 196, 260–261; independent enterprises, 76, 167, 171; investors, 199; Los Angeles style, 72, 76–77, 139–140, 263; marketing, 197; national conversation about, 66, 212–213, 231; New York style, 76, 130, 134, 196–197; popularity, 18; radio programming, 140, 165, 166–167, 168, 170, 183, 190; Recording Academy acknowledgement of, 258; representatives, 110, 111, 129–130; roots of, 231; street canon, 128–129, 130, 139, 165–166; target of the FBI, 207; television programs, 180–181, 182–183, 184, 185, 187–189; threat to survival, 138; transformation, 127–128; white fans, 179, 184, 192. See also gangsta rap; hardcore rap; reality rap; street rap
“Rapper’s Delight” (song), 96, 183
rap riots, 62–71, 102–103, 109, 111, 138–139
Reagan, Ronald, 15, 226
reality rap, 128–129. See also gangsta rap
Recording Academy: acknowledgement of rap as a genre, 258; Best Rap Performance award, 258; Grammy Awards ceremony, 256–258
Redd Foxx (John Sanford), 12
Red Hot Chili Peppers (music group), 74
Reid, Chris “Kid,” 65
Reid, Vernon, 168, 232
Reiner, Rob, 214
Reverend Run (Joseph Simmons): anti-gang advocacy, 106, 107; defense of rap music, 101; on Long Beach Arena concert, 64, 103; on Los Angeles gang crisis, 103; photo, 95; on rap riots, 103; style, 93, 97
Rhythm Lounge (nightclub), 74
Richards, Chris, 264
Richardson, James, 36
Ridenhour, Carlton. See Chuck D
Rivera, Geraldo, 210
Roadium Open Air Market, 118–119, 135
Robinson, Matt, 74
Robinson, Sylvia, 94, 127
rock cocaine, 14, 19, 20, 22. See also crack cocaine
rock houses, 21, 22–23, 52–53, 55, 134, 221
rock riots, 66–67, 69, 71
Rodney King beating: court ruling on, 244–245; description, 234–236; public outrage about, 236–238, 246–247
Rodney King riots. See Los Angeles riots (1992)
Ross, Michael, 170
“Roxanne, Roxanne” (song), 58, 109, 122, 134
Roxy (nightclub), 74, 76
Rubin, Rick, 127, 182, 191, 261, 262
Run-DMC (music group): anti-gang advocacy, 105–106, 123, 138; ban from performance venues, 108; commercial success, 99, 105, 110, 171; concert violence, 70, 71, 101, 108; criticism, 101–102, 104, 131; “Day of Peace” broadcast, 106, 107; debut, 126; dressing style, 94–95; Grammy Award nomination, 166; influence, 97; “It’s Like That,” 92, 93, 97, 128; lack of radio exposure, 166; Long Beach Arena show, 62, 63, 64, 65–66, 70, 110, 138–139; lyrics, 97–98; Madison Square Garden concert, 70; Memorial Sports Arena performance, 93; on MTV, 99; music genre, 95–96, 97–98, 101; “My Adidas,” 122; popularity, 92–93, 96, 107; praise for community service, 107; promotion of hip-hop, 98–99, 102–103; Raising Hell tour, 63, 65, 69–70, 100, 101, 104, 110; reputation, 71, 102; Together Forever tour, 108; white fans, 184
Ruthless Records: audience, 177; “The Boyz-N-The Hood” project, 125, 136, 140–141; KDAY broadcast, 177; launch, 121–122; marketing strategy, 174; partnerships, 122, 123, 177, 229; as platform for artistic experimentation, 123–124, 156; sales, 178

Salt-N-Pepa (music group), 174, 175, 210
San Francisco Bay Area: DJs, 173, 174; local video channel, 190; Oakland rap, 130, 133, 171; protests of Rodney King trial verdict in, 244; radio, 168; rappers on the charts, 216; Yo! MTV Raps profiles of, 197, 198
Satanic panic, 68
Saturday Night Live (television program), 185, 189
Schneider, Jack, 181
Schoolly D (Jesse Weaver), 131, 132, 291n51
Schweisinger, Craig, 89
Scott, Betty, 29
Seibert, Fred, 186
Sermon, Erick, 261
75 Girls Records and Tapes, 171, 176
Shakur, Tupac, 247, 253, 267n2
Sharp, Jeff, 70, 102
Sharpton, Al, 167
“She’s a Skag” (song), 123
Showard, Derek “Grandmixer D.ST,” 74
Simmons, Joseph. See Reverend Run
Simmons, Russell, 92, 93, 98, 102, 126, 137, 165, 184, 192
Singleton, John, 136, 214, 228, 240, 242, 244–245, 259
Singleton, Marion, 34
Smith, Joe, 164, 165, 166, 206
Smith, Larry, 126, 127
Smith, Tonia, 245
Snoop Dogg (Calvin Broadus Jr.), 59, 80, 194, 253
Social Distortion (music group), 67
SOLAR Records, 113, 184, 185
Solid Gold (television program), 180
Solo, Robert, 148
Soul Sonic Force (music group), 100
Soul Train (television program), 180, 185
Source, The (magazine), 226, 231, 232, 240, 242
Southern California Rapid Transit District (SCRTD), 45–46
Spin (magazine), 142, 160, 174, 200, 214, 239, 261, 262
Stand By Me (film), 214
Stephney, Bill, 163, 168, 184, 192
Stereo Crew. See Cru In Action
Stokes, Dewey, 219
Straight Outta Compton (album): depiction of LA’s urban crisis, 158–160; distribution, 199–200; lyrics, 159, 163; marketing, 164–165, 176; novel design, 163–164; popularity, 155, 205–206, 214, 217; production, 163, 164, 213; promotion, 153–154, 217, 226; release, 153, 176; reviews, 200, 224
“Straight Outta Compton” (video): media reviews, 160–162; MTV ban of, 157, 161, 162, 204–205; plot, 158–159; still from, 160
street rap, 128–129, 130, 139, 165–166
street tapes, 55, 56, 57, 58, 81, 121, 172
Street Terrorism Enforcement and Prevention (STEP) Act, 144
Suga Free (Dejuan Walker), x
Sugarhill Gang (music group), 96, 99, 183
Sugar Hill Records, 76, 98, 126, 127, 129
Suicidal Tendencies (music group), 67
Sullivan, Ed, 180
Summer, Donna, 187
Sykes, John, 181, 186
Sylvester (Sylvester James, Jr.), 186

Tapscott, Horace, 7
Tatum, Cornelius, 37
Taylor, Chris. See Glove
television: cable, 188–189; conservatism, 184; impact on pop culture, 182–183; interactive channels, 188; music programming, 179–180, 187–189, 190–191; reality, 210, 263; subscription model, 188
Tha Dogg Pound (music group), x
That Nigga Daz (Delmar Arnaud), 253
The D.O.C. (Tracy Curry), 96–97, 153, 163, 176, 216, 263
Thigpenn, Anthony, 28
Thompson, Ahmir “?uestlove,” 203, 215
Thompson, Jack, 229
Timex Social Club (music group), 64
Toddy Tee (Todd Howard): home studio, 19; lyrics, 19, 23, 24, 56, 59–60, 134; popularity, 58, 59, 109; rise to success, 110; song mixes, 57–58; street tape sales, 57, 81. See also “Batterram” (song)
Toles, Bill, 166, 168
To Live and Die in L.A. (film), ix–x, 201
Tomcat (Tommie Richardson), 78
Tommy Boy Records, 171
Tone Loc (Anthony Smith), 198, 224
Tonight Show, The (television program), 185, 189
Too $hort (Todd Shaw), 130, 133, 216, 291n44
To Pimp a Butterfly (album), 256–257
Toshima, Karen, 142, 143, 145, 149, 162
Tribe Called Quest, A (music group), 290n38
Trump, Donald, 224, 307n36
Turner, Bryan: background, 171–172; California Raisins, 173, 174, 177; criticism of MTV, 204; descendant of the K-Tel dynasty, 171, 261; on NWA, 178–179, 217; on Priority’s first rap release, 173; promotion of hip-hop music, 192, 201, 261; travels, 172
Turner, Tina, 187
Turner Broadcasting System, 188
2 Live Crew (music group), 133, 216, 249

Uncle Jamm’s Army (DJ group): achievements, 80; formation, 78–79; mobile sound system, 78, 80; name of the group, 281n39; partnership with Macola, 116; performances, 79, 89, 282n41; photo, 78; popularity, 84
UTFO (music group), 109, 122, 134

V-100 armored vehicle: controversy over use of, 27, 52, 53, 55–56; police acquisition, 23–24; in police raids, 19, 22, 25, 26, 51–52, 54, 145, 211; retirement, 55, 145; test runs, 24–25
Vandals (music group), 67
Vanilla Ice (Robert Van Winkle), 261
Variety (journal), 261
Verbal Abuse (music group), 67
Video Jukebox Network, 188, 205
Video L.A. (television program), 190
Video Soul (television program), 188
Village Voice, The (newspaper), ix, 95, 96, 225, 233, 241

Wainwright, Rupert, 159, 160
Wall Street (film), 262
Wall Street Journal, 146
Ware, George, 186
Warren G (Warren Griffin), 253
Warriors, The (film), 65
Washington, Carlos, 38
Washington, Leon, 52–53
Washington, Ruth, 52–53
Washington Post, 160, 260
Waters, Maxine, 30, 35, 38, 211, 236
Watkins, Leon, 107, 233, 234
Watley, Jody, 169
Watson, Diane, 35
Watts Riots, 9–10, 11, 13, 16, 176, 238, 245
Wayans, Keenan, 228
West, Kanye, 253–254
Wexler, Haskell, 148
White, Barry, 106
Whodini (music group), 58, 62–64, 113, 126, 134, 215
Wilkins, Roy, 27
Will, George, 236
Williams, Alex, 222
Williams, Alonzo. See Lonzo
Williams, Dootsie, 1, 2, 10–13, 14–15
Williams, Dwayne, 30
Williams, Frank. See Mixmaster Spade
Williams, Larry, 29
Wilson, Ann, 181, 182
Wilson, Pete, 242
Winfrey, Oprah, 14
Wood, Glen, 38–39
World Class Wreckin’ Cru (music group), 82, 121
World on Wheels, 79, 83, 89, 90
Wright, Eric. See Eazy E

X-Clan (music group), 244

Yankovic, “Weird Al,” 58
Yano, Steve, 118–119, 120, 135
Yano, Susan, 118
Yella (Antoine Carraby), 82, 83, 163, 230
Yo! MTV Raps (television program): debut, 193; hosts, 194, 195, 196; NWA appearance on, 201, 202–204, 210; as platform for rap genre, 162–163, 193–194, 195–196; popularity, 194–196; promotion of rap artists, 196–197, 202, 216
Young, Andre. See Dr. Dre
Young, Doc, 13
Young, Tom, 244

Ziering, Lanny, 190
Zinzun, Michael, 28, 29, 51, 147