Grandmaster Caz

Grandmaster Caz simultaneously DJing and MCing

DJ Kool Herc threw his first block party in 1974, which Grandmaster Caz attended when he was just fourteen years old. When he saw people of different backgrounds come together, he was inspired to start DJing. Eventually, Caz became a professional, and formed one of the first crews, the Notorious Two, with JDL.

The Notorious Two performing at Crotona Park Jams in 2022 (left: JDL, right: Grandmaster Caz)

In 1978, they joined the Cold Crush Brothers, where he became a full-time MC. During the early 1980s, they produced a plethora of singles that were compiled into Fresh, Wild, Fly & Bold in 1996. Their popularity gained them a role in the cult-classic, Wild Style, in 1983 and its theme song was sung by Caz. Additionally, the group was in an MC battle with rival group Grand Wizard Theodore and the Fantastic Five.

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Movie poster for Wild Style (1983)

During the late 1980s, Grandmaster Caz began his solo career and recorded two studio albums: The Grandest of Them All in 1992 and You Need Stitches: The Tuff City Sessions in 2004. In 1998, Caz was named #11 in Blaze Magazine’s Top 50 MCs of All Time. After performing and hosting a panel at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Hip-Hop Conference in 1999, he was inducted into the Technics DJ Hall of Fame.


Grandmaster Caz’s Spotify profile

Grandmaster Caz’s career started with the Cold Crush Brothers, but he is most recognized for his lyrics in hip-hop’s first mainstream song, “Rapper’s Delight”. In 1979, Big Bank Hank asked to see Caz’s rhymes, without Caz knowing that he was auditioning for the Sugarhill Gang, using his verse. This bitten verse brought him to fame. Although Caz did not get any credit or royalties, he is still an influence in the hip-hop community.

In 2008, Grandmaster Caz hosted a panel discussion at the 3rd Trinity International Hip Hop Festival. He presented “Born in the Bronx: Origins of Hip-Hop”, alongside DJ Tony Tone, Grand Wizard Theodore, and DJ Disco Wiz. After this, Caz helped Macklemore and Ryan Lewis to produce their second studio album, This Unruly Mess I’ve Made in 2016 and did vocals on their hit song, “Downtown”. Currently, Caz co-hosts the radio show, “That’s the Joint” with Sha-Rock on Sirius XM.


Cold Crush Brothers
Cold Crush Brothers Lecture Panel 2008 (left to right: Grand Wizard Theodore, DJ Tony Tone, Grandmaster Caz)

Grandmaster Caz’s legacy and influence are still prevalent today, as noted by his career with the Cold Crush Brothers, the relevance of his bitten lyrics, and his work today. It is indisputable that Caz is one of hip-hop’s most pivotal pioneers, given the awards he won after his music career had concluded. Grandmaster Caz’s future looks bright as he continues to leave his mark on the hip-hop world.

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