Grandmaster Caz On Being Rap's First Ghostwriter,"Surviving A 70s Bronx, NY, Rapping With Kool G Rap

Talking to pioneers is one thing, but talking to Grandmaster Caz is another. The Bronx native has been immersed in culture of Hip-Hop almost since it started. DJ Casanova Fly, as he was once known, has blazed trails that people walk on to the day. He was in the first Hip-Hop movie, "Wild Style," putitng him next to director Charlie Ahearn, Lee Quiñones, Lady Pink, Fab 5 Freddy and many more. Before that, he was boldly ripped off by Sugar Hill Gang's Big Bank Hank, who unwittingly made Caz Hip-Hop's first ghostwriter. This also made Caz party to "Rapper's Delight," the first Hip-Hop song to go pop. Since then, Caz has managed to stay relevant and maintain a stature as elder statesman of respect. Chuck "Jigsaw" Creekmur and DJ Thoro join forces for this special edition of the AllHipHop Podcast. They talk to the legend about his life and times, the tough period after Run DMC hit and also how he came up as a force in Hip-Hop. He also discusses the game-changing moment when Macklemore and Lewis's first single changed his life with "Downtown," a platinum hit starring Caz, Melle Mel and Kool Mo Dee. Check out the convo!

[@Lovely-ff7uv]

Casanova Fly & Kool Moe D did their thang at the Yankee Stadium. They kicked a dope freestyle!❤

[@IAMHIPHOP974]

The Bronx is the Home of Hip Hop

[@MrMaroonmen]

The fact top 5 breaks was even thought of demonstrates this channels commitment to the culture. The switch from top 5 MCS to X vs Y was skillful. A really professional job that would put most bloggers to shame. 10/10 and The Great GMC is a gentleman and exemplary Ambassador

[@cherokeebill4832]

Great interview. I’m glad he cleared some of this up. All founders of rapping were fba. Including coke la roc the first. And the elements were fba. Only thing him being 13 leaves a hole for some other stuff being he couldn’t travel the Bronx to know what else was going on on the other side

[@barty2381]

Caz cadence and flow back in the day on a Hip Hop track where I first heard was straight 🔥

[@brotherfugue]

Please tell me a lawyer has successfully secured this man's publishing relative to Rapper's Delight.

[@meccadavis935]

This was an awesome interview…. I love how the information of our history is being presented… realness

[@gottagetit5312]

Respect to Caz. Great interview fellas Salute 💯

[@tochiRTA]

great interview!! Caz is so charismatic and interesting

[@Baldphace]

These none knowledgeable interviewers be messing up a potential great interview from a legend.

[@awatule]

True ambassador of hip hop at it's purest.

[@kollusion1]

Back in the 80's people would say, 'Oh, You still into that Hip Hop shit!' B-Boy - Worldwide, & bigger than ever. DJ - Turntablism tricks have gone crazy. Graffiti - Probably called Street art today, huge. MCing / Rap - Still some great underground, & educated rhymes & beats out there worldwide, especially in many non English languages. 50 years on, who da thunk It?

[@afrikankingzent]

Legendary interview. Y'all gotta do a part 2

[@granthouse1046]

Caz is frist to ever do it for the Bronx one of the best MC

[@alwaysfirstclassmedia5375]

Let's not forget The FORCE MCS from Staten Island.

[@carlosgil4196]

I always in support of the culture and embrace the living legend for what they put in work is appreciated always support the underground hip hop

[@markwright9269]

My man good see him still kicking.... Legend...

[@Maurice572]

Honest story by Grandmaster Caz. Now days there is a discussions who start Hip Hop. For me personally it doesn't matter who start, but who build Hip Hop in the beginning is for me interesting. Sadly I not hear Caz talk about DJ Whiz.

[@demoremda]

facts! i dont have a top 10 alltime cause ill have to exclude 50 other greats, great interview big up GMC

[@stevencamacho5772]

Pioneer cold crush brother

[@RCLaROCK1]

MUCH RESPECT ...great insight

[@walkertroy11]

He's "a Toy..." @5:00 When you know, you know! Salute

[@balle733]

Run DMC didnt change the guards as far as clothing because Funky 4 plus one dressed regularly when they were on Saturday Night Live.

[@enosger]

Run DMC brought in the hardcore street

[@harolddixon7456]

I used to live right down the street 177st all the same hood we All was Around it All 1970.

[@YosefEl75]

Put Sabir Bey on it? Yo!!!!

[@kevinforeman4485]

I still wonder who got that fly ass reel to reel that was sitting in the window of crazy Eddie's on Fordham road. Edit: rocket in the pocket is not one of Caz favorites??? As many routines they did off that???

[@kevinforeman4485]

Oh the good old dayz when rappers (M.C.'s) didn't try to murder each other.

[@YosefEl75]

Zulu 🤘🏾

[@YosefEl75]

Punx & Skins !!!!

[@YosefEl75]

I was a young writer 🎉

[@YosefEl75]

Tru Skool

[@nicksheen2730]

Tomorrow Did Come

[@carlosgil4196]

S/0 to DJ CAS living legend and the first MC as a dj

[@YosefEl75]

Listen 2 Krs -1

[@enosger]

Nah Kool G Rap Vs Ice Cube, that’s a battle

[@missayawk]

Cube would get smoked!!!

[@cooloutac]

naah, monotone talking on the microphone and call and response to the crowds by DJ's was a Jamaican thing called Toasting in the 60s. Its never been done anywhere else, not in jazz, salsa, not in disco. where? Not until Hip Hop. Coincidence? Fk no.

[@FBA_AllTHEWAY]

@coooutac bro JA culture had nothing to do with the origin of hip hop. It’s documented “toasting “ was a black American style of jive talk on Black radio. Jamaican pioneers made it known toasting came from Black Americans. Shout out to Clement Dodd “ King of JA sound systems” for making it known.

[@cooloutac]

@@FBA_AllTHEWAY you can't even describe to me what the fk toasting is lmao.

[@FBA_AllTHEWAY]

@@cooloutacfurther your research bro and stop assuming. It’s documented already. Good luck!

[@sdatkb]

Delusional

[@thdoom81]

talks about hip hop having a message then says cardi b represents hip hop LOL....dumb

[@deadpoo4707]

Grandmaster Caz had no choice but to be the first ghostwriter, because BIG Bank Hank stole his lyrics, and forcefully took his place in The Sugarhill Gang.

[@funkyfreshzorro00]

But he did not steal. I asked him and Caz agreed.

[@deadpoo4707]

@@funkyfreshzorro00 in an interview, he said big bank hank took his rap book, and stole his lyrics.

[@funkyfreshzorro00]

@@deadpoo4707 BIG BANK HANK & GRANDMASTER CAZ RAPPERS DELIGHT- check this. Caz agreed,to gave own book...