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Dj Disco Wiz

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  • Dj Disco Wiz

  • 47 / Male
  • Bronx New York & Stamford CT, Connecticut, US
  • Last Login: 7/20/2009

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  • Status: Married
  • Here for: Networking
  • Hometown: THE BIRTH PLACE OF HIP-HOP BRONX NEW YORK
  • Orientation: Straight
  • Body type: 6' 0" / Athletic
  • Ethnicity: Latino / Hispanic
  • Zodiac Sign: Leo
  • Children: Proud parent
  • Smoke / Drink: No / No
  • Education: College graduate
  • Occupation: HIP-HOP PIONEER

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  • Hip-Hop pioneer, Turntablist, speaker, activist, historian, writer, poet, Author

  • The originators djdiscowiz@theoriginators.com is committed to the education of the early years of hip-hop, honoring the djs, mcs, writers, and b-boys that laid the foundation, and helped pave the way for a culture.. www.theoriginators.com

  • Author of It's Just Begun : The Epic Journey of DJ Disco Wiz Hip Hop's First DJ, Miss Rosen Editions/powerHouse Books (May 19, 2009) - http://www.powerhousebooks.com/book/1007

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About me:


..





" I Walk Amongst The Great Poets"

I am truly blessed to have grown up in the sixties a time of movements, revolutions and great people that inspired and challenged us to see the world through their lives As a young man in the Bronx not socially accepted and with no resources I found a platform in which I could express myself I found my voice, I found hip hop, I love hip-hop because it means hope. Hope, to those who are less fortunate And it does not discriminate because of race, gender, or social class It has united our people and has stood the test of time..... But unfortunately it has flaws and has allowed the descend of corporate vultures An attempt at rewriting our history so now as everyone has access.. I guess its great for business, but bad for creativity, innovation , and all the intangble magic that surrounds a movement in motion... twenty-first-century hip-hop is an industry with insitutions, orthodoxies, and dogmas...and that's evolution..that's life... but this isn't about hip-hop today.... it's about a time and a place and a people that you should know about... this is what i breathe, this is my life, this is our revolution

DJ Disco Wiz (real name Luis Cedeño) is a Latino DJ who was briefly known as DJ Louie Lou born in Bronx New York on August 11, 1961. Half Cuban half Puerto Rican he is credited as being the first Latino Hip-Hop DJ, His contributions have paved the way for Latin DJs everywhere to make their mark in the industry. Back in the day, Dj Disco Wiz was known for his aggressive battle style of DJing, and together with his partner and childhood friend Grandmaster Caz, then known as DJ Casanova Fly (1975) of the Mighty Force Crew Also Known as The Treacherous Trio With Whipper Whip,Dot-A-Rock, and DJ Mighty Mike throughout the mid- to late-1970s. They are legendary for their DJ battles in the streets of the South Bronx; Grandmaster Caz would later go on to form the cold crush brothers.

DJ Disco Wiz is also credited for being the first DJ to make a "mixed plate" in 1977 along with Grandmaster Caz, when he combined sound bites, special effects and paused beats. This is Hip-Hop’s first mixed dub recording. In the years since, DJ Disco Wiz has openly contributed to the education and recognition of the early years of hip-hop. In the millennium issue of The Source magazine he candidly shared his experience in being the first Latino in the evolution of hip-hop. Dj Disco Wiz was also a major contributor in the opening of the Experience Music Project in Seattle in 2000. His contribution and donation of original hip-hop flyers, solely for the preservation of hip-hop can be seen as part of the archives. He was also instrumental in the making of Jim Fricke and Charlie Ahearn’s rendition of the early years of hip-hop entitled Yes, Yes Y’all. Sharing over numerous original flyers and first hand accounts of the early years of hip-hop including a historical event of the 1977 New York City blackout.

DJ Disco Wiz is a poet who has recently been inspired in writing a lyrical account for the lack of recognition of the early pioneers. His passion is versed in a poem entitled “The Land Before The Rhyme” which was performed at the Apollo Theater, the landmark Nuyorican Poet Cafe and also at poet venues through out New York City, and can be seen in the book Born in the Bronx, Dj Disco Wiz is currently involved in a t-shirt project with The Originators” whose sole purpose is the commitment and education of the early years of hip-hop, honoring the DJs, MCs, writers and B-Boys that helped pave the way for a culture. He is also featured in a couple of documentaries that are in the works. One is 1LOVE, a film about the lives of Joe Conzo, Ernie Paniccoli and Jamel Shabazz. The other one is ALL OUT WAR a B-Boy Story. and the Emmy Nominated Vh1 Rock Doc ny77: the Coolest year in hell Developed by Nanette Burstein and Firehouse Films for Vh1, He has also been working with Michael P and Dug 1 on Turntable Timmy, an animated series that teaches children about hip-hop culture.

He is currently working on a book with Ivan Sanchez based on his life titled, It’s Just Begun: The Epic Journey of Hip-Hop’s First Latino DJ, Disco Wiz. Miss Rosen/powerhouse books June 2009.

Wiz is also a board member of the Universal Federation for the Preservation of Hip Hop Culture; is self explanatory in the very name of this organization. The federation consists of Vice President Kenny Syder, President Amir T. Aziz, Chairperson Africa Bambaataa, Secretary Pebbles Riley, Treasurer David Walton (CPA), Executive Director Simone Joyce, Curtis “Grandmaster Caz" Brown, DJ Tony Tone, Kurtis Blow, Tiana Johnson (MBA), Patrick Jeanette, GrandMaster Melle Mel, Cashus D, KRS-One, Lovebug Starski, Miguel Corral, Ernie Paniccioli, Jorge “PopMaster Fabel” Pabon, Joe Conzo (photographer). The Universal Federation has a headquarter located in the Bronx, the birth place of Hip Hop, therefore their work is immediately seen affecting the community of youth who can take a better command in their crafts with the education of their recent history. His relevance to the current state of Hip Hop as a pioneer is expressed in the interest many writers and journalists take in learning about his life and contributions to the arts of Hip Hop.

Dj Disco Wiz is also the grandson of the late legendary santero Norberto Cedeno of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, La Mano Poderosa (The All Powerful Hand of God), 1950, and the Creator and founder of The Hip-Hop Meets Spoken Wordz Series.



"A fascinating, compulsively readable story of rise, fall and redemption" New York Daily News

"hard-knocks Bronx tale" Time Out New York

"A fascinating Read" 10 Men Magazine

"Compelling fascinating insight into the South Bronx scene" Library Journal

"Hip-hop's first prominent Latino DJ offers a grisly but triumphant memoir" The Village Voice

"Cedeño chronicles his hard knock life with no fluff" New York Post

"A gripping memoir" Latina Magazine

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
PowerHouse Books is pleased to announce the June 2009 release of It’s Just Begun: The Epic Journey of DJ Disco Wiz, Hip Hop’s First Latino DJ By Ivan Sanchez and Luis “DJ Disco Wiz” Cedeño A Miss Rosen Edition

"There are no punches pulled, no shorts taken, no inconvenient truths omitted here. The story of DJ Disco Wiz is a searing, powerful, heartbreakingly real hip-hop story. A must-read." --Jeff Chang, Can't Stop Won't Stop: A History of the Hip-Hop Generation

Casanova Fly & the Disco Wiz that was us, After our lives were divided by circumstance I stuck fast to the Hip-Hop route I was sure would eventually bring me fame and glory as we used to say. I went through many different line-ups after finally settling in with The Cold Crush Brothers. I had reached that status that Wiz and I sought and fought for but without my original partner. I'd like to think I've carried a part of him with me throughout my journey. This book should shed some light on Wiz as a person, father, husband, friend, cancer survivor and pioneer of Hip-Hop -Grandmaster Caz-Hip Hop Pioneer

“Even as a genuine pioneer of an art form now spanning the longer part of 40 years, Disco Wiz has remained humble in his dedication to Hip Hop culture. No matter the accolades, no matter the recognition, no matter the stature, Wiz is a living embodiment that perseverance, diligence and hard work do eventually pay off. It's been a long time coming, but DJ Disco Wiz can now take his rightful place in history.” Carlito Rodriguez-Senior Editor, The Source Magazine

“Like Down These Mean Streets, a book which it resembles in narrative power and frank discussion of Black-Latino tensions, It’s Just Begun is a meditation on violence, particularly on how violence in the home breeds violence in the streets. In all my years of reading urban literature, I have rarely read such an honest, and self critical description of the act of inflicting violence—of the cost on the person inflicting it, as well as the cost to the victim.” —Dr Mark Naison, Professor of African American Studies and History, Fordham University-

"When I collaborated with Jim Fricke from the Experience Music Project on the “Yes Yes Y’all” book, Disco Wiz was a very important behind the scenes contributor. Wiz left his awesome flyer collection and hip hop stories to EMP, but this book “Its Just Begun” is his real legacy, This is really not a hip hop book, but a survivor’s tale of terrible and glorious times told by a man who could recount it all after so many years with the hard won wisdom and power that can come only from living through it. -Charlie Ahearn - Wild Style

Now that Hip Hop is nearing its mid thirties the true and often violent background of the birth of that art form is starting to emerge. "It’s Just Begun" the story of DJ Disco Wiz is one of the most compelling and stark naked revelations of the soil in which Hip Hop grew. It explores the growth from crime to art, from violence to consciousness and though it is a morality tale it never sugar coats or sweetens the reality of the pain, danger and madness of the streets -Ernie Paniccioli- Author of who shot ya

"It's Just Begun is a gritty and emotional express ride through the South Bronx of yesterday and the life and times of one of Hip-Hop's unsung heroes - DJ Disco Wiz. Urban non-fiction at its absolute best!" -Koe Rodriguez-Hip Hop Historian

If there are words to describe DJ Disco Wiz they would be true survivor. Born in a time when war and injustice was the state of America, This book is a must read for all fathers mothers, sons, daughters, and educators alike, so that one may understand the pain that so many young people, born in harsh conditions have to endure -Jamel Shabazz-Author of Back in the days, A Time before Crack

“Its Just Begun took me back to when I first came from Cuba in 1971, and most importantly it took me back to the very "essence of what I would become later in life" - Mellow Man Ace-Hip Hop Pioneer

“Its just begun’ has opened my mind up to so much more about Hip Hop history than I could've imagined, and is a sure-fire tool to help younger generations understand the volatile ‘70's decade in all it’s mess, and glory. DJ Disco Wiz represents for all Latinos who have ever grabbed a set of headphones since. Estoy tan orgulloso de el.” DJ Bobbito Garcia, author where’d you get those? New York City’s Sneaker Culture: 1960-1987

"Riveting and truthful -- its haunting words leave you speechless. A cautionary tale for some, a confessionary truth for others, It's Just Begun will have you pinned to your seat throughout the night. You'll be reading it with your night light on, a box of tissues at your side and your heart in your throat." -Jeff Rivera - Author of FOREVER MY LADY

Half-Cuban, half-Puerto Rican, Luis “DJ Disco Wiz” Cedeño is 100 percent Boogie Down Bronx. Born in the 60s, Wiz struggled in a turbulent and violent relationship with his alcoholic father while trying to protect his mother who was suffering from breast cancer. Raised in the 70s, Wiz learned the code of the streets while hustling with his crew, the East Side Boys. In 1975, Wiz discovered salvation when he hooked up with the legendary Grandmaster Caz to form the Mighty Force Crew, waging some of the biggest DJ battles in the Bronx during hip hop’s earliest years.

When Hip Hop first hit, the DJ was king. Rockin’ the party on two turntables for the b-boys and fly girls on the dance floor, DJs like Kool Herc, Afrika Bambaataa, and Grandmaster Flash pioneered an art form that has come to define our times. The first Latino DJ in the game, Wiz, along with Caz, went on to make a "mixed plate" in 1977 which combined sound bites, special effects, and paused beats. An innovator, originator, and a battle-style DJ with no fear, Wiz swept through the Bronx like a tornado. But the streets wouldn’t leave him in peace. After being convicted on an attempted murder charge, sentenced to nine years in prison, and forced to leave his baby daughter, Wiz was incarcerated upstate at the tender age of 17, where he learned the true meaning of desperation. But as time went on and he overcame his struggles with violence, drugs and alcohol, and women, Wiz eventually liberated himself from the path of self-destruction through love, self-respect, and self-determination.

Featuring over 50 never-before-seen photos, It’s Just Begun: The Epic Journey of DJ Disco Wiz, Hip Hop’s First Latino DJ is a gritty and gripping tale of one man’s struggles to not only survive, but to triumph over adversity and abuse that will make your blood run cold. By conquering unimaginable obstacles, Wiz offers inspiration to anyone who has ever wondered, “Why me?”

Luis “DJ Disco Wiz” Cedeño, the first Latino hip hop DJ, is credited for being the first DJ to make a "mixed plate" in 1977 along with Grandmaster Caz. In the years since, Wiz has been an influential force in educating the world about the early years of hip-hop. Wiz was a major contributor in the opening of the Experience Music Project in Seattle in 2000, and was instrumental in the making of Jim Fricke and Charlie Ahearn's Yes Yes Y'all (Da Capo Press, 2002). He was also featured in the Emmy-nominated VH1 Rock Doc NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell, and is the creator and founder of the Hip-Hop Meets Spoken Wordz series.

Ivan Sanchez is the author of Next Stop: Growing up Wild Style in the Bronx (Simon & Schuster, 2008), and was awarded the National Novel honors for his first fiction offering in 2004. His work has appeared on SaborHR.com, SiTV.com, and HipHopGame.com, and he is currently developing a TV series based on Next Stop, with the help of April Lee Hernandez. Sanchez is also an anti-gang youth advocate and motivational speaker, who works with the Virginia Beach Police Department’s gang unit.

Miss Rosen Editions, a division of powerHouse Cultural Entertainment, spotlights contemporary urban culture with titles including Public Access: Ricky Powell Photographs 1985–2005, We B*Girlz by Martha Cooper and Nika Kramer, Pees on Earth by Ellen Jong, Bombshell: The Life and Crimes of Claw Money, It’s All Good by Boogie, Bears by Kent Rogowski, Hamburger Eyes: Inside Burgerworld by Ray Potes, New York State of Mind by Martha Cooper, Do Not Give Way to Evil: Photographs of the South Bronx, 1979–1987 by Lisa Kahane, Belgrade Belongs to Me by Boogie, We Are Experienced by Danielle Levitt, Vandal Squad: Inside the New York Transit Police Department 1984–2004 by Joseph Rivera, It’s Just Begun: The Epic Journey of DJ Disco Wiz, the First Latino Hip-Hop DJ by Ivan Sanchez and Luis “DJ Disco Wiz” Cedeño, Pillage by Brantly Martin, and FUN! The True Story of Patti Astor. Publisher Sara Rosen, Associate Publisher and Senior Vice President of Marketing & Publicity of powerHouse Books and editor of powerHouse Magazine since 2006, also curates exhibitions at The powerHouse Arena.

HIP HOP / MEMOIRS / A BRONX TALE HC, 7.5 x 9.25 inches, 180 pages, over 50 four-color photographs and flyers ISBN 978-1-57687-494-3 $22.95

To preview the book please visit - http://powerhousebooks.com/itsjustbegun High-res scans to your specification are available upon request; scanning from the book or lifting images from the mechanical file are strictly prohibited. Mandatory credit line: from IT’S JUST BEGUN: THE EPIC JOURNEY OF DJ DISCO WIZ, HIP HOP’S FIRST LATINO DJ by Ivan Sanchez and Luis “DJ DiscoWiz” Cedeño, published by Miss Rosen Editions/powerHouse Books. For more information, please contact Sara Rosen, Publicity Director PowerHouse Books, 37 Main Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Tel: 212-604-9074 x105, Fax: 212-366-5247, email: Sara@powerHouseBooks.com
Its Just Begun-powerHouse Books, the future beyond art books
http://www.powerhousebooks.com/book/1007

It’s Just Begun: The Epic Journey of DJ Disco Wiz, Hip Hop’s First Latino DJ is a gritty and gripping tale of one man’s struggles to not only survive, but to triumph over adversity and abuse that will make your blood run cold. By conquering unimaginable obstacles, Wiz offers inspiration to anyone who has ever wondered, “Why me?”



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Add to My Profile | More Videos .. .. .. NY77: Blackout! "NY77: Blackout!..

This excerpt from the VH1 Rock Doc: NY77: The Coolest Year in Hell (premiering August 11, 2007) shows how New Yorkers coped with the great blackout in July 1977. Musicians, celebrities and politicians remember the fear, the looting and the unexpected benefit to hip hop.

.. NY77: The Rap Battle In this excerpt from the VH1 Rock Doc: NY 77: The Coolest Year in Hell (premiering August 11, 2007), a memorable rap battle between Grandmaster Caz-DJ Disco Wiz and Afrika Bambaataa is recounted in classic comic book style by the artist Jim Rugg...
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