Born in the Bronx, Caz is one of Hip Hop’s most versatile pioneers.
Caz’s start began when, in 1974, he witnessed one of Kool Herc’s legendary block parties. He was so inspired that he got DJ equipment the very next day! ‘I wanted to be the one to make people dance.’ He titled himself “Cassanova Fly” and eventually teamed up with Disco Wiz.
Caz teamed up with crew member, JDL, became “The Notorious 2”. During this time period, Caz took his DJ skills to another level and incorporated rhyme skills. Caz is the first DJ to rhyme and cut simultaneously.
Caz is also part of the one of the biggest early controversies of the old school when Big Bank Hank swiped one of Caz’s verses for use on “Rapper’s Delight“. See the Sugarhill Gang bio for more info.
In 1979, DJ Charlie Chase of the Cold Crush Crew had asked Caz to help him audition MCs for his group, the Cold Crush Brothers. ‘Charlie was tricking me into joining the crew…I didn’t realize it at the time.’ Thus the Cold Crush Brothers, as they are known today, were formed with members: AD, GrandMaster Caz, JDL, Kay Gee, and founders Tony Tone and Charlie Chase.
With their appearance in the Hip Hop cult classic, “Wild Style” their popularity soared.
As captain of the Cold Crush Bros., Caz led the crew to new heights. Together the crew fostered a style and sound that has inspired many of today most famous MCs, including KRS-1, Will Smith, Big Daddy Kane and Slick Rick.
Caz also enjoyed a solo career. He released several songs on the Tuff City label. His writing abilities made him a much sought after lyricist. He has collaborated with many artists, including: Biz Markie, Doug E. Fresh, and KRS-1 among others.
In 1998, Caz was listed #11 out of Blaze Magazine’s Top 50 MCs of all Time. In an interview for NY’s Video Explosion, Caz explained, ‘I MC with the mind of a DJ and I DJ with the mind of an MC and B-Boy. I feel the essence of Hip Hop. It is what I do. It is who I am.’
Caz was inducted into the Technics DJ Hall of Fame in 1999. He was also invited to serve as an panelist and perform at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum’s Hip Hop Conference in 1999. In the following year, when the exhibit traveled to the Brooklyn Museum of Art, he taught the MC Master Class as well as represented on one of the the panels.
Caz continues to rock parties both on the mic as well as the turntables as well as host events worldwide.
Official Site – ColdCrushBrothers.com & on MySpace
Watch Caz do “MC Delight”
Additional in by TOOLS OF WAR
July 7, 2017
hi Johng how are you?what did you think of the mini series the get down? I personally didn’t like it 100 percent did you notice it was a little too science fictionish and the ghetto scenes looked a little too Disneyish?thats how I feel but I did enjoy a few aspects of the series.Abe