Disco King Mario
Disco King Mario (July 1, 1956-1994) was a pioneer of Hip hop. In the 1970s, Mario was a prominent DJ of the New York Bronx. At the time, he lived in the Bronxdale Housing projects, where his parties made him well-known locally.[1] The Bronx was famous for its block parties at which the DJ's were the most prominent personalities, the masters of ceremonies who garnered most of the attention.
Together with his crew, known as Chuck Chuck City, he played largely up-tempo disco music.[2] Mario was known for the quality of his sound system.[3] Afrika Bambaataa started out as an assistant to Mario,[2] and Mario loaned Bambaataa the technical equipment for his first appearances as DJ, and Bambaataas first DJ-Battle took place in 1976 in the New York junior High School 123 against Mario.[4][5] Well-known DJ Jazzy Jay had his first appearances as well with Mario. Together with Bambaataa, Mario controlled essentially the entire southeast Bronx. Both were originally members of the street gang Black Spades,[2] and DJs had to either get permission from Bambaataas Zulu nation or from Mario, before they could safely DJ publicly.
Mario was also an influence on rapper Busy Bee Starski, helping him to develop his voice.[6]
Disco King Mario never released any records. His pioneering role in the genesis of Hip Hop did not lead to the nationwide celebrity as either a performer of a producer, which a number of other early rap and hip hop performers enjoyed.
After The Death Of Disco King Mario
Zulu Queen Anita was the original founder an creator of the Disco King Mario Hip Hop Memorials
To Honor his contribution to the hip-hop community an culture
In Rosedale Park In The Bronx , New York Area Where Disco King Mario once played ln the 1970"s
He was honored by many hip-hop icons like Grand Master Melle Mel , Kurtis Blow an many female pioneers like Lisa Lee An many others
Disco King Mario use to watch over Queen Anita as a child She ls also the God sister to two pioneers of hip-hop royalty The Godfather Afrika Bambaataa an Afrika Islam
References
- ↑ Bynoe, Yvonne (2006) Encyclopedia of Rap and Hip-hop Culture, Greenwood Press, ISBN 978-0-313-33058-2, p. 89
- 1 2 3 Chang, Jeff (2007) Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation, Ebury Press, ISBN 978-0-09-191221-5, p. 96, 97
- ↑ Hess, Mickey (2007). Icons of Hip Hop: An Encyclopedia of the Movement, Music, and Culture. Volume 1. Greenwood, ISBN 978-0-313-33903-5, p. 8
- ↑ Adaso, Henry "Hip-Hop Timeline: 1925 - Present", About.com, retrieved 2011-01-29
- ↑ Price, Emmett George (2006) Hip Hop Culture, ABC-CLIO Ltd, ISBN 978-1-85109-867-5, p. 109
- ↑ Copper, Barry Michael (2007) "Bee Kind, Rewind", Village Voice, September 11, 2007, retrieved 2011-01-29