Rammellzee
(or RAMMSLLZSS, pronounced "Ram: Ell: Zee", born
1960 in Far Rockaway, Queens, New York), was a graffiti
writer, performance artist, rap/hip-hop musician and sculptor
from New York.
He was discovered by a larger audience through the 1982
cult movie Wild
Style
by Charlie Ahearn. His fame in graffiti circles was established
when he painted New York subway trains with Dondi, OU3,
and Ink 76, and doctor Revolt.
Rammellzee
and K-Rob's "Beat
Bop,"
a 10-minute-long hip-hop track is regarded as one of the
most revered songs of rap's early era. It was produced by
artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, who also drew the cover art,
resulting in the 12" album becoming a major collector's
item and became one of Rammellzee’s best-known performances
and a hip-hop touchstone. It was the unofficial theme song
for Henry Chalfant and Tony Silver’s graffiti documentary
“Style
Wars - New York's Kings of Graffiti.”
Below is a audio of Beat Bop with video from Style Wars.
Rammellzee
was also a member of the Death Comet Crew, with Stewart
Albright and Michael Diekmann. In 1988, he and his band
Gettovetts recorded the album "Missionaries
Moving."
In
2003, Rammellzee performed at the Knitting Factory in New
York with the newly reformed Death Comet Crew; subsequently,
Troubleman Unlimited re-released recordings
made by DCC between 1982 and 1984; additionally, their single
for "Exterior St." was featured on the compilation,
Anti-NY, with contemporaries, Ike Yard, Sexual Harassment,
and Vivian Goldmann, among others.
In
2004, he released his debut album Bi-Conicals
of the Rammellzee,
produced by Gomma Records. Rammellzee also performed at
Knitting Factory with guitarist Buckethead several times.
If
you don’t know the name, the history, or the legend,
feel free to Google Rammellzee and you will see the impact
he made on urban culture in the past 30 years.
If you would like to comment on this article, please
do so below. There is a 400 character limit. You do
not need a FaceBook account. Your comment will be posted
here on BC instantly. Thanks.
Entering your email address
is not mandatory. You may also choose to enter only your
first name and your location.
e-Mail re-print notice
If you send
us an emaill message we may publish all or part
of it, unless you tell us it is not for publication.
You may also request that we withhold your name.
Jul 8, 2010 - Issue 383
is
published every Thursday
by Charlie Ahearn. His fame in graffiti circles was established
when he painted New York subway trains with Dondi, OU3,
and Ink 76, and doctor Revolt. 
,"
a 10-minute-long hip-hop track is regarded as one of the
most revered songs of rap's early era. It was produced by
artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, who also drew the cover art,
resulting in the 12" album becoming a major collector's
item and became one of Rammellzee’s best-known performances
and a hip-hop touchstone. It was the unofficial theme song
for Henry Chalfant and Tony Silver’s graffiti documentary
“
.”
Below is a audio of Beat Bop with video from Style Wars.
."
,
produced by Gomma Records. Rammellzee also performed at
Knitting Factory with guitarist Buckethead several times.
