The World Class Wreckin’ Cru was a 1980s electro-hop and rap group from Compton, California formed by nightclub owner Alonzo Williams, known in the business as “Lonzo.” Other members of the fluctuating line-up included DJ Yella, Dr. Dre, Shakespeare, Cli-N-Tel, and Mona Lisa Young. Dre and Yella would go on to achieve fame as members of N.W.A.. Fila Fresh Crew’s Dr. Rock was also an early member of the Wreckin’ Cru.
Wreckin’ Cru’s singles such as “Surgery” and “Juice” were marked by a blend of old school rap and a rip of the new electro sound, best exemplified by Kraftwerk’s single, “[track]Tour de France[/track].” This would mark the end of old school west coast hip-hop. After this, Dr. Dre joined N.W.A and gangsta rap dominated the genre. |
